An atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of star-crossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932, by the bestselling author of Riding Lessons .

When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, drifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.

Beautifully written, Water for Elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. It tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford.

莎拉·格鲁恩（Sara Gruen），对动物有着莫名的狂热，先前出版过两本与马有关的书，都广受欢迎。书中很多的角色都是根据真实人物为蓝本，故事背景则是根据1930年代的巡回马戏团。她现与丈夫、三名子女、四只猫、两头羊、两条狗、一匹马同住在芝加哥北部的环保小区。