Water for Elephants

By: Sara Gruen

Narrated by: David LeDoux, John Randolph Jones

Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

An atmospheric tale of life and love in a Depression-era traveling circus.

Nonagenarian Jacob Jankowski reflects back on his wild and wondrous days with a circus. It's the Depression Era and Jacob, finding himself parentless and penniless, joins the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. There he meets the freaks, grifters, and misfits that populate this world. Jacob introduces us to Marlena, beautiful star of the equestrian act; to August, her charismatic but twisted husband (and the circus' animal trainer); and to Rosie, a seemingly untrainable elephant.

Beautifully written, with a luminous sense of time and place, Water for Elephants tells of love in a world in which love's a luxury few can afford.

©2006 Sara Gruen (P)2006 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

• Book Sense Book of the Year Award, Adult Fiction, 2007
• Audie Award Finalist, Fiction, Unabridged, 2007

" Water for Elephants resembles stealth hits like The Giant's House, by Elizabeth McCracken, or The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowd-pleasing romanticism. . . . With a showman's expert timing, [Gruen] saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of Americana into an enchanting escapist fairy tale.” ( New York Times Book Review)

"Just like a circus, the magic of the story and the writing convince you to suspend your disbelief." ( Booklist)

"Gruen skillfully humanizes the midgets, drunks, rubes, and freaks who populate her book." ( Publishers Weekly)

Great narration

This is an interesting story with good plot and character development. What made it wonderful was the narration - two actors/narrators played (and read) the roles of young and old Jacob. They were outstanding and made the story come alive.

Enjoyable love story, but...

Nice love story. Someone implied it had similarities to "The Time Traveler's Wife," which is why I downloaded it, but I couldn't find the similarity. Not exactly a page-turner for me.

Reviewers Are Right!

I bought this book, because of the reviews, and I wasn't disappointed! I really can't add much other then to say that it'll make you laugh, cry and reward you with an outstanding ending!!

A TRUE WINNER!!

I really didn't have much interest in reading this book as the summary didn't spark any interest from me - it just didn't seem like the type of book that I would read. However, I decided that since it had received such great reviews, that if I was ever going to read this book, listening to it might be the way to go. I am so glad that I decided to listen to the Audible recording. The story in and of itself is absolutely wonderful, but listening to the narrators brought this story to life. BEST NARRATED BOOK I'VE EVER LISTENED TO!!! Couldn't wait to continue the story each day and when it was over, I immediately started it over again. It is that good!

Loved this book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes so enjoyable to listen to

What was one of the most memorable moments of Water for Elephants?

When he was waiting to go to the circus and no one ca me. It broke my heart.

Which scene was your favorite?

When he left to go see the circus

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

So many. It makes you think how we treat people when they get old

Amazing!

Where does Water for Elephants rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book was so good that when I finished listening to it I started from the beginning all over again. Amazing performance.

Exceptional narration! It took me back 85 years!

Loved the story, characters and presentation! This is the 3rd or 4th time I've listened to the story. It takes me back every time. What a wonderful time in history!

Very good

The credit for this great listen really must go in part to the incredible narrators; beautifully voiced. Full of passion, I felt the emotion in his voice so many times it brought tears to my eyes. This is a well written book and an easy read. However as others have noted - quite difficult to listen to if you have a great love and devotion for animals as I do. I have never gone to circus' for that reason so I am not sure why I chose to read this. But it was quite terrific.

Nice story, but would have liked more detail.

I had to read (listen) to the book twice to really appreciate it. It is a nice story with good characters and narration. I would have liked to see more in-depth character development as well as more details about the circus acts and the overall experience of that kind of travelling life. Thought it would be a bit more gritty, but a good read to the end.

A Great Listen

This is a wonderful, tender, compassionate and heartbreaking account of a life. Although it is very violent at times, the story is compelling; romantic without being saccharine. One of the few books I wish would have gone on much longer. The ending was very satifying. Powerful narrations by both actors...a great listen.