Connie Anderson: I join book clubs and find it hard to express my opinion other than to say I hated or liked it. My minor was in English but still I have no talent in interpretation. When I'm feeling intimidated, I feel like blurting out, "Well, why don't you ask the author what the meaning is?" or "maybe it is what it is." Do authors write with the intent or hope to have their work analyzed as to deep meanings or do they write to entertain, instruct, and/or to make a living? Here's what I could come up with: This book is not Dumbo. It grabs you, shocks you and always surprises you. The main human character really never changes as he grows older. His personality seems to me to be consistent throughout his life. Did they really throw people off the trains when they were no longer a value to the circus? I was very touched by the great love of the dwarf for his dog and the slow-growing and reluctant love of the dwarf for Jacob. Hold it! I feel an interpretive thought coming on: The contrast between the innocence and simple nature of the animals juxtaposed to the evilness of humanity. I expected the book to be more about Jacob doing his work as a vet but was pleasantly surprised it wasn't. I thought he really rejoined the circus in the end but find the idea he may have imagined it even more intriguing but a little sad. However, I don't know how fast he would have processed those credit cards.

DFO: For someone who isn't comfortable with interpretation, Connie, you did a good job of expressing yourself re: "Water for Elephants." Dunno where we go from here. Are we talked out on this book. Are should we continue to pursue other avenues that haven't been discussed in the last three days? You're free to bring up your own questions and views under this thread.

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