Sara Gruen’s “Water for Elephants” Quotes (39 Quotes)

Although there are times I'd give anything to have her back, I'm glad she went first. Losing her was like being cleft down the middle. It was the moment it all ended for me, and I wouldn't have wanted her to go through that.

They grew fat and happy--the horses, not the children, or Marlena for that matter.

I roll onto my side and stare out the venetian blinds at the blue sky beyond. After a few minutes I'm lulled into a sort of peace. The sky, the sky--same as it always was.

Keeping up the appearance of having all your marbles is hard work, but important.

And don't miss Frank Otto, the world's most tattooed man! Held hostage in the darkest jungles of Borneo and tried for a crime he didn't commit, and his punishment? Well, folks, his punishment is written all over his body in permanent ink!

We traveled for two weeks with a pickled hippo.

I scan the room. Catherine is writing quickly, her light brown hair falling over her face. She is left-handed, and because she writes in pencil her left arm is silver from wrist to elbow.

Life is the greatest show on earth!

But it all zipped by. One minute Marlena and I were up to our eyeballs, and the next thing we knew the kids were borrowing the car and fleeing the coop for college. And now, here I am. In my nineties and alone.

When I first submerged my feet into frigid water, they hurt so badly I yanked them out again. I persisted, dunking them for longer and longer periods, until the cold finally blistered.

I stare at her for a long moment. I want to kiss her. I want to kiss her more than I've ever wanted anything in my life.

Life is the most spectacular show on earth ?

Dear God. Not only am I unemployed and homeless, but I also have a pregnant woman, bereaved dog, elephant, and eleven horses to take care of.

Why the hell shouldn't I run away with the circus?

I strain to hear, but my old ears, for all their obscene hugeness, pick up nothing but snippets:

Sometimes I think if I had to choose between an ear of corn or making love to a woman, I'd choose the corn.

Do you have any idea how much an elephant drinks?

I stroke her lightly, memorizing her body. I want her to melt into me, like butter on toast. I want to absorb her and walk around for the rest of my days with her encased in my skin. I lie motionless, savoring the feeling of her body against mine. I'm afraid to breathe in case I break the spell.

Sometimes the monotony of bingo and sing alongs, ancient dusty people parked in the hallway in wheelchairs makes me long for death, particularly when -- remember that I'm one of the ancient dusty people, filed away like some worthless chotski.

Hey! Shouts Camel. There ain't no woman in the world worth two bottles of whiskey!

I used to think I preferred getting old to the alternative, but now I'm not sure. Sometimes the momotony of bingo and sing-alongs and ancient dusty people parked in teh hallway in wheelchairs makes me long for death. Particularly when I rememver that I'm one of the ancient dusty people, filed away like some worthless tchotchke.

The more distressing the memory, the more persistent it's presence.

Honey, I plan to marry you the moment the ink is dry on that death certificate.

Is where you're from the place you're leaving or where you have roots?

The sky the sky- same as it always was.

I am further back, surrounded on all sides by wailing men, their faces shiny with tears. Uncle Al promised three dollars and a bottle of Canadian whiskey to the man who puts on the best show. You've never seen such grief-- even the dogs were howling.

It's as though I've been sleepwalking and suddenly woken to find myself here

After sixty-one years together, she simply clutched my hand and exhaled.

The thought has cheered me, and I'd like to hang onto that. Must protect my little pockets of happiness.

I had my whole life planned.. I knew exactly where it was taking me..