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)

Sensational Listening

Would you consider the audio edition of Water for Elephants to be better than the print version?

This audio version gives the listener the perspective of the young Jacob and the elder Jacob with such richness that the printed page cound not compare. Sometimes one reads a story for entertainment but this story becomes so vivid and captivating because of the reading of it that it leaves more than a trace of longing for the story to begin again.

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

The elder Jacob and his memories were the most memorable moments of Water for Elephants.

What about David LeDoux and John Randolph Jones ’s performance did you like?

The tone of the readers voices, the intonnation, inflections, and emotional content of the 2 readers makes this a wonderful listen

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to listen to this book in one setting.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book to anyone.

exceptional book, extraordinary listen

What did you love best about Water for Elephants?

Water for Elephants is a very engaging, story full of rich characters amidst the Depression focused on a circus environment which gave the story even more color on so many levels

What did you like best about this story?

Amidst its overall melancholy nature, the depth of character and relationships came through vividly, making its affect within a Depression centered era all the more felt. Sometimes it was hard to listen to as the emotions felt by the characters were so well expressed through both the writing itself as well as from the actors' performances

What about David LeDoux and John Randolph Jones ’s performance did you like?

These two readers were exceptional, bringing the story even more to life. Their ability to portray a variety of characters was amazing--two among the best I have heard so far

enjoyed the story

What did you like best about Water for Elephants? What did you like least?

Time frame the story was set in. The narration, felt it was a bit slow at times, but am sure it was due to the

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

Had to be the elephant taking things into her own

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Changed the cadence of the narration at times. Just as you read a book, some passages you zip thru, and others read each word slowly??

Did Water for Elephants inspire you to do anything?

no

Any additional comments?

no

Cathartic.....

An excellent story overall. While reading the intermittent scenes with the old man, I couldn't help crying .-.-.-.actually I was sobbing a most cathartic cry. Worth every tear.

Water for Elephants

A GREAT read and even better Audible story. My teen aged Grandchildren loved it also.

Wonderful Narrations

What made the experience of listening to Water for Elephants the most enjoyable?

Excellent Narrations

What about David LeDoux and John Randolph Jones ’s performance did you like?

Perfect. I love it.

Any additional comments?

The story was not that much exciting. However, this is an example of a case of an average story being lifted up by wonderful performance and excellent narrations.

great story and reader(s)

Very captivating tale and well-read by the narrators. One of my favorite audio books

OUTSTANDING!!!

This is the greatest book I've read in a long time. The way it's read is great. I've always loved circuses but this book gave a different view of things as seen from a circus workers' eye. I recomend this book to anyone who loves a real good read. Loved it!

Excellent!

I have to give this book 5 giant stars on every level.. plot, characters, narration.

This is just one of the best choices in books I made in 2006. The book was excellent, but the narration made the book even better! Don't judge this book by its cover. I bypassed it on several occasions because the cover made it look like "not my kind of book", but it is just such a charming and heart warming story. Loved it. Take a chance with this one. You just will fall in love with these characters. Its like they are real. I am sad the book is over...

Happy listening!
Mandy

Most spectacular book on earth!

Sorry, I got caught up in the circus theme with the title! I really enjoyed listening to this book. I have a crush on young Jacob and was left wishing for an afternoon to spend talking to old Jacob. Have a listen, you will not be disappointed.