Water for Elephants Discussion and Giveaway (Closed)

Here on Book Nook Club, we've reviewed quite a few books that have been turned into movies. One of those books, Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen is being released on DVD tomorrow.

Based on Sara Gruen’s epic novel about forbidden love, and directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker Francis Lawrence (Constantine), WATER FOR ELEPHANTS stars Robert Pattinson as Jacob, a man devastated by the sudden death of his parents at the height of The Depression. When Jacob abandons his veterinary studies and stows away on a train carrying circus performers, his life is changed forever. Hired as a veterinarian to care for the circus’ animals, Jacob is temporarily filled with the promise of an exciting life that comes with a traveling circus troupe.

However, as he falls in love with the star of the show, Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), they become prey to the circus’s owner, Marlena’s abusive husband August (Christoph Waltz). With their love on the line, the circus begins to crumble from within, and Jacob and Marlena come to a crossroads that will forever change their destiny.

In general, most people I've talked to liked the book but thought it was a little too graphic. That problem has been fixed in the movie, which isn't graphic at all other than a couple of violent scenes that are necessary to the story. I liked the book and was a little nervous about the movie because I just couldn't image Robert Pattinson as anything other than Edward from Twilight but once I got past that, I was thoroughly entertained and seeing the circus scenes translated from paper onto the big screen was great.

For those of you who have both read the book and seen the movie,  I'd love to hear which one you liked better and why. Which scenes did you like and which ones just didn't work? What'd you think about the relationship between Marla and Jacob in the book vs. how it was portrayed in the movie?

Want a chance to win a prize bundle that includes both a copy of the book and the brand new DVD? Leave a comment below telling me who directed Water for Elephants (hint, the answer is in the post). Giveaway ends Wednesday, November 2nd and is open to US/Canada residents only.