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Water for Elephants  By  cover art

Water for Elephants

By: Sara Gruen
Narrated by: David LeDoux, John Randolph Jones
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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)

What listeners say about Water for Elephants

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Overall
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Story
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!

What did you love best about Water for Elephants?

Great story line. Loved the characters.

What other book might you compare Water for Elephants to and why?

None.

Which scene was your favorite?

Where Rosie got rid of the crazy ringmaster.

Who was the most memorable character of Water for Elephants and why?

Jacob.

Any additional comments?

Really loved the voice of old Jacob. He was brilliant.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This was a great book!!!

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

The narration was impeccable and the story was excellent. Never a dull moment.

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

Hard to say, but probably when the elephant got his revenge.

Have you listened to any of David LeDoux and John Randolph Jones ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No this was the first

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

Yes

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Good story, Great narration

Enjoyed the story. I would like to complement the two narrators. They were excellent!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An Excellent Listen

I found this book to be very well read and written. I enjoyed the protanganist very much both young and old.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • b
  • 01-03-12

Would definitely recommed to friends.

Would you listen to Water for Elephants again? Why?

Yes! The performance was good and easy to follow.

What did you like best about this story?

Jacob always wanted to protect the animals, Marlena, and Camel. Overall the story was tearful, heartfelt and all so true to life.

Which scene was your favorite?

Of Course, when Rosie triumphed over the bad guy, August!

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

Nursing home moments...hard to think/swallow that family members are put out to pasture in nursing homes. What happens to seniors when there is not a

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Literary Delight

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

I would and have recommended this book in audio and paper versions to everyone!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I have to say August - HE WAS CRAZY and dangerous and just fit in so well at the circus. He was a true circus character as in someone I would expect to find there and I equally loved and hated him.

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

They were perfect. Great tone and emotion, there wasn't one moment when I didn't imagine them as the characters they were reading.

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

YES. If I could have I would have.

Any additional comments?

Read this book. In paper, kindle or audio, doesn't matter - This book is so worth reading.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Omg. Superb.

I loved everything. The narration was between two people. One for the old Jacob and one for the young. The young also did everyone else. It worked perfectly. I loved the story. It was wonderful all around.


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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!

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

This was a great story superbly read, I loved every minute of it, and would highly recommend it as a top 10 choice!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Takes you back in time!!

Good Story, Great cast of characters and a Great narrator = great audio book.

Highly recommended before watching the movie based on the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful story!!!

I really enjoyed this book! The story was great! A bit of language, but overall fantastic!!! Loved it very much!!!

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