The Bauer Confidential

l have been really lucky since moving to Berkeley in finding an awesome book club. A good friend of mine from high school happens to live in San Fransisco, an easy half-hour train ride from me. Having lived in the Bay Area a while, and just generally being a sociable type person, she and a bunch of friends formed a book club, and invited me to join. Originally, it was loosely themed something along the lines of “International Women’s Issues.” After we got tired of reading really depressing (though enlightening) books we decided to go for a bit lighter fare. The numbers of the group have dwindled slightly, but there are four of us who come every month. I can’t express how much I’ve enjoyed this group. Great conversation, great literature, and great food. What’s not to love!?!

This month’s choice Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen chosen by another group member. I have to say I really enjoyed this book. I actually read about three-quarters of the book on our plane ride to NYC. It’s a real page-turner, very compelling. The story is told as flashbacks from an elderly man, Jacob, in a nursing home, remembering his “salad days” when he traveled with the circus. It is a story of tragedy and intrigue; the not so happy side of the circus life is detailed as well. You can’t help but feel for both the animals and humans transported by train from one town to the next, in conditions that by today’s standards would be criminal. In addition, this a story of love and devotion, of fear and greed, of loyalty and loss. Jacob falls for one of the glamorous circus stars, who is unfortunately married to the brilliant but maniacal animal director. In some ways, it is a little too much of the rescuing a princess held captive story, but it is also much more. You also get a feeling for what it is like to be old and put out to pasture in a nursing home from a perspective rarely given. In Jacob there is resilience where the world has decided there can only be frailty, and you can’t help but root for him. So if you’re looking for a pleasant read while traveling, or are interested in the good-old days of the circus, this book will deliver.