This novel could be a mini series. It is a civil war historical fiction that is both a love story and an amazing wealth of information on slavery in the South. It was hard to put down. There are some unexpected events that are intriguing.

Water for Elephants flipped back and forth between two periods of the main character's lifetime... It was a very interesting peak into the life in a circus. I had some trouble with some parts as an animal lover...though ultimately the animals were protected.
I did truly enjoy reading this novel.

I was skeptical at first...reading a book from a dog's perspective.
However, I was immediately drawn into the story. Being an animal lover I was afraid of being sad...but I got through it without being too sad. The craziness of life told by the precious pet, Enzo, was a very different way of telling a story. The analogy to racing was also an interesting perspective. I read slowly...and this book I read in a record two days!

I had a lot of trouble getting through the first 180 pages. It was just slow. The second half was better and dealt with some very real issues that confront more families than we care to admit. The author captured that reality and did cover it well. The discussion for a book club is good...which is why I gave it a thumbs up. Otherwise, it's not a book that is at the top of my list for recommendation.

This is the sequel to Corrigan\\\'s Pool.(.a civil war historical fiction that takes place in Georgia.). The sequel moves the characters to Texas after the war in a disagreement between husband, Gentry and his wife , Ella. Gentry wants to return to his home in Texas, where he was a cattleman, while Ella remains dedicated to her Savannah homestead that has lost its value. When Gentry finally leaves with the children in the middle of the night, Ella struggles with her anger with Gentry and her instincts to go to Texas and find her children. The story takes Ella through the physical and emotional struggles to get back to her children and her intense hatred toward Gentry. If you love historical fiction, you\\\'ll love this story. (Read Corrigan\\\'s Pool first)