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 listening

Thoroughly enjoyed Water for Elephants as my first audio book. I found I couldn't stop listening and wanted to take the long route to work so I could listen some more. Even bought some headphones to listen before going to sleep. I could hear the train and the carriages on the tracks, and smell the menagerie. I loved the "older" Jacob and felt like I wanted to wheel him into the circus myself. ( you'll understand that last comment when you listen to the book). Haven't seen the movie yet but will definitely do so now.

Gripping!

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

Loved the back and forth between the character as a naive young man and as a wise older man.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I thought the book gave us an insight into the depression years and a side of humanity (or inhumanity) that most of us are not exposed to...My favorite character, of course was Jacob.

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

The book begins with the ending. It takes the listener through the ups and downs of being part of a traveling circus to get us back to where we began.

Any additional comments?

Terrific story. Loved every bit of it.

Incredibly Sweet Story About Life, Love and Dreams

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

Yes. It was a beautiful story and the narration was excellent.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the love story and the history lesson.

What does David LeDoux and John Randolph Jones bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

LeDoux and Jones both do a great job conveying the emotion that Jacob was feeling. I cried when I thought 90 or 93 year old Jacob was not going to get to go to the circus.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

It already is a film and I think the tagline is excellent "Sometimes life is the greatest show on earth."

Pure Magic

I never wanted this book to end, the 2 narrators were each brilliant in the delivery of this wonderful story. A must

Of course I loved it - how could I not?

Yes, it is every bit as good, as everyone says, and adding my own memories of the film as well, it was extremely vivid and oveall fantastic. I get a bit sad every time Jacob at 90 - or 93 (you will get it once you listen) explains about his current life in the home, but as you probably already know, it will all turn out great afterall. If you are in the mood for a great story, with no book 2, 3, 4 ,5 etc. to get through, before getting the final answers, just sit back and enjoy!

Wonderful and enlightening

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

Yes. I enjoyed this book emmensely. It just made me feel so many emotions and see my life differently. I love it when a book makes me think.

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

The end...which I won't spoil. I love the older Jacob.

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

Never before. They are both excellent.

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

Yes. I wanted to stay up all night but my eyes always would betray me.

Any additional comments?

I realize that this type of book isn’t for everyone. There are some scenes that made me blush uncomfortably. Even so, I really felt like Jacob, flowing in and out of the present and the past. I was swimming in and out of his memories. The narration was very well done and the book exceptionally well written.

So glad bought this one

I have passed this book up many times, but was looking for something different than my usual reads.

Loved every minute and I'm sure I'll read this one over and over

A Surprisingly Pleasurable Experience!!

Well written and excellently narrated. Beautiful in its simplicity. Like Jacob, I fell in love with both Marlena and Rosie. Heck, I fell in love with Jacob, too! :)

5 Star Story

Amazingly engaging storyline and the voice actors are spot on with the different ages of the narrator.

Definitely deserves best of the year award

This is an amazing book..the best audio book I've listened to since utilizing the Audible service. Well narrated, moving story, compelling characters, and an important reminder to not take our octogenarians and nonogenarians for granted..what amazing stories are out there that we are missing? I'm so glad I listened to this one!!