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Book #52 and Book #53 hosted by Nancy
At a New England boarding school, a sex scandal is about to break. Even more shocking than the sexual acts themselves is the fact that they were caught on videotape. A Pandora's box of revelations, the tape triggers a chorus of voices--those of the men, women, teenagers, and parents involved in the scandal--that details the ways in which lives can be derailed or destroyed in one foolish moment.
As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival. ~read more
Writing with a pace and intensity surpassing even her own greatest work, Anita Shreve delivers in TESTIMONY a gripping emotional drama with the impact of a thriller. No one more compellingly explores the dark impulses that sway the lives of seeming innocents, the needs and fears that drive ordinary men and women into intolerable dilemmas, and the ways in which our best intentions can lead to our worst transgressions.
~about the book barnes and noble
~about the book barnes and noble
"I thought about how one tiny decision can change a life. A decision that takes only a split second to make." — Anita Shreve
About the Author
Anita Shreve grew up in Dedham, Massachusetts, the eldest of three daughters. Joking that she could wallpaper her bathroom with rejections from magazines for her short stories ("I really could have," she says), she published her early work in literary journals. The best analogy I can give to describe writing for me is daydreaming," she says. "A certain amount of craft is brought to bear, but the experience feels very dreamlike."
Shreve is married to a man she met when she was 13. She has two children and three stepchildren, and in the last eight years has made tuition payments to seven colleges and universities. ~read more
Shreve is married to a man she met when she was 13. She has two children and three stepchildren, and in the last eight years has made tuition payments to seven colleges and universities. ~read more
As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival. ~read moreAbout the Author
Sara Gruen is the author of the bestseller Riding Lessons and Flying Changes.She lives north of Chicago with her husband, her three children, four cats, twogoats, two dogs, and a horse.
About the Book Water for Elephants
"I was actually looking through the newspaper and I saw a photograph–a vintage circus photograph–and that was really pretty much it. I ordered the book of photographs and next thing I knew I was researching it and there we are." ~Sara Gruen
"I was actually looking through the newspaper and I saw a photograph–a vintage circus photograph–and that was really pretty much it. I ordered the book of photographs and next thing I knew I was researching it and there we are." ~Sara Gruen
Book Discussion Questions for both books:
1. The story in Testimony is told from many different perspectives. Why do you think Anita Shreve chose this narrative style for the novel?
2. In Testimony, several characters comment that if the sexual incident at Avery had occurred at a local public school, it would have drawn little or no attention. Do you agree with this assessment?
3. Water for Elephants moves between a story about a circus and a story about an old man in a nursing home. How do the chapters about the older Jacob enrich the story about Jacob’s adventure with the circus?
4. Did the chapters about the nursing home change how you think about older people?
3 comments:
"Testimony" was a very quick read. About the only mystery was who made the videotape - which was finally revealed at the end. I doubt that in real life any of the accused or participants would have shielded the person while they were facing their penalties and tribulations. Anita Shreve's novels are always pretty quick reads, but this one was partiularly fast. It would be great for a flight across country!
As far as "Water for Elephants", I couldn't have conceived of this idea for a book, and if it hadn't been recommended by others, I probably never would have read it! I enjoyed the journey back through the memories of life in the circus - but had a tough time with the brutality toward the animals by some. Looking foward to the discussion!
Testimony is the first book in a long time that I actually couldn't put down. I was totally engrossed in the novel. A must read!
I actually listened to Water for Elephants on tape. I loved the sections with the older man speaking. He was so cranky and spirited which came through. I would have liked to know a little bit more about the in between years. Again a good read.
After finally finishing Testimony, I am honestly shocked that everyone else liked it. I found it very slow and terribly depressing. Maybe it is because I have two sons, but I thought the premise was terrifying. I did not have a lot of time to sit and get into this book and it took me a long time to get through. I did not particularly care for any of the characters and for a long while had a hard time figuring out who was who. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
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