Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Water for Elephants is an amazingly well written novel with wonderful characters and an absorbing plot.

In chapters that move from the past to the present day, Jacob Jankowski, while residing in a nursing home, relates the story of his incredible life and adventures with the Benzini Brothers Circus during the difficult days of the Great Depression. According to the author's note at the end of the book, many of the compelling anecdotes in the story were based upon real events, culled from the diaries and personal histories of one time circus performers. As a result, this book is both an entertaining and informative read.

The characters are richly drawn and even the animals have complex personalities that make them a major part of the story.

I believe there's something in this novel for everyone, in that I found it to be equal parts adventure, mystery, fictional memoir, love story, and historical account. I highly recommend Water for Elephants.