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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

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    13,940
  • 4 Stars
    5,909
  • 3 Stars
    1,933
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  • 1 Stars
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Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    9,192
  • 4 Stars
    3,312
  • 3 Stars
    1,261
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    216

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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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

great story and reader(s)

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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

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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