Barnes & Noble Nook discussion

I don't read much fiction any more. I guess Water For Elephants is why. I'm two-thirds of the way through. I don't think I'll finish it. I loved the beginning, but now I don't find the story, or the writing, interesting. Also, I find the characters very one-dimensional. Am I the only person who feels this way? What am I not seeing in this book?

I was also disappointed. I just expected more because everyone was raving about this book so much. My problem was I couldn't help but compare it to Geek Love by Katherine Duun which was not the most uplifting book but I thought it was an amazingly unique and interesting story.

I enjoyed it, but I listened to it in audio. Am not sure I'd enjoy it as much reading it.

It never interested me. It does seem like when a book gets super popular it usually sucks. All hype.

Shay wrote: "It never interested me. It does seem like when a book gets super popular it usually sucks. All hype."

hehe

I enjoyed a lot of the writing, but I haven't gotten into it like with other books just yet...I may see the movie though

Ami wrote: "I enjoyed a lot of the writing, but I haven't gotten into it like with other books just yet...I may see the movie though"

Except I saw in the news they were abusing the elephants. Don't want to support that by seeing the movie.

Really? I loved the book. Haven't seen the movie.

Kristi wrote: "Really? I loved the book. Haven't seen the movie."

I saw the movie yesterday and it was a great adaptation of the book. I would say that the movie was just as good and I loved the book:)

I read the book over a year ago and thought it was okay. I am interested in seeing the movie.

Am I the only one who cares that the movie people were abusing the elephants? I guess.

I had to force myself to finish the book. I didn't like the characters or the plot.

I have tried to read it twice and haven't gotten very far... I didn't like it at all.

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Am I the only one who cares that the movie people were abusing the elephants? I guess."

I havent seen the movie yet, just read the book, but do you really think they truly abused the elephants? Im sure it was just made to look like it was happening. I can't imagine anyone doing such things these days on movies.

Jami wrote: "Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Am I the only one who cares that the movie people were abusing the elephants? I guess."

I havent seen the movie yet, just read the book, but do you really think they tru..."

The news article I read reported the staff tending the elephants was abusing them OFF SET. Of course the elephant was abused IN the story. That's not what I'm talking about.

I don't go to movies where the animals are abused or endangered while the movie is made.

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Jami wrote: "Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Am I the only one who cares that the movie people were abusing the elephants? I guess."

I havent seen the movie yet, just read the book, but do you really thi..."

from an article in the LA times:

Interestingly, the elephant's owner, Gary Johnson, was reluctant to allow Tai to perform in the film because it includes scenes of animal abuse.

"We had really mixed emotions about even doing this film because it's pretty graphic with the elephant, and there's some so-called beating scenes in there. We didn't want to send a wrong message," said Johnson, the co-owner of Have Trunk Will Travel.

After speaking to the film's producers, Johnson came on board. Visual effects created the impression that Tai is being beaten in one scene; in another, fake wounds made from silicon were attached to the animal.

Johnson says he often encounters animal rights activists who don't think his elephants should be performing, but he believes Tai's participation in "Water for Elephants" will allow audiences to better understand the animals.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/...

I enjoyed this book, but until halfway through, I wasn't sure if I was enjoying it or not. After the finish, I find that I was most attached to Jakob as a senior citizen. I liked who he was at 93, or was it 94? I listened to the audio version and it really improved the story for me. The only thing I still wish was that the scenes involving the female performers had been left out. I really didn't need those images in my head, nor the scene with Walter. To be fair, it was a book whose main character was 23 at the time, and I imagine those scenes would be fairly plausible to a 23 year old man, instead of to my 43 year old female self.

I picked it up again and finished it. I liked the last third or so. Still, however, I feel the characters aren't that interesting. I don't understand why this book is so successful.

I was disappointed in both the book and movie. :(

I was also really disappointed. Randy, I agree with you. I don't know how this book got to be so popular. I feel the same about The Secret Life of Bees and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Series. (But I read all of them because I kept expecting them to get better) How stupid am I?

I have tried to read 2 times and could not get into it. I loved the movie, The Secret Life of Bees but have yet to read the book. I don't think that I will because I would rather read the book first.

I liked it, my mom liked it. We were both disappointed with the movie though.

I loved WfE and I thought the ending was one of the best endings to a book I've read in a very long time; so good I wanted to put the book down and applaud.

I thought the book well written, the characters richly drawn, and I appreciated Sara Gruen's research of Depression era circus life. Yes, there is animal abuse in the book, but it's a book about life and to avoid that part of life, or pretend that didn't happen, would have been dishonest writing. And it also wouldn't be fair to ignore the fact that there was a very pro-animal message to the book.

I have no plans to watch the movie because I don't want the book spoiled.

I loved the book!! I agree that the books animal abuse issues needed to be included in the story to depict true life. It happened. As far as the movie- it was good, not as good as the book though. The reported animal abuse during the making of the movie was unfounded.

i loved the book as well

The ending was the best part of the book. Not bothering to watch the movie though.

Thanks for the heads up Sandra, I was really looking forward to watching that movie as I loved the book. However, after watching a trainer whack a baby elephant on the head with a bullhook, push a bullhook into the tender part of an elephants ear, and the other ten nasty horrible things I saw these trainers do, I will never give my money to a company that paid these people. In case anyone is equally disgusted, the same company (Have Trunks Will Travel) also provided the elephant for the newer movie Zookeeper. The video of what the trainers did to Tye is absolutely heart wrenching and stomach turning.

I can't believe what I'm reading!!! I have already read this book twice. I LOVED this book. It swept me up in the story and I couldn't put the thing down. I read it the first time in two days and the second time in 3. I would and have recommended it to so many people. I agree the movie was bad...very bad! But the book was wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!

My book club read this one a few years ago, and we all loved it. Sorry to hear so many were disappointed by it.