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)

Engrossing!

This work is beautifully written and more importantly, it was mesmerizing to listen to. If you enjoyed "Shadow of the Wind" you will love this book. I highly recommend it.

Wanted the story to go on and on!

I loved this book so much! The story was compelling, the characters were loveable (and hate-able as pertains to the evil characthers!). I loved the sweet, loyal Rosie and that the story left me with a good feeling and an insight into understanding elderly people. Don't miss this one.

FANTASTIC

Loved all the characters, even those not so likeable. It made me think of my own life from youth to now....The story was funny, yet sad, happy, yet frightenging - great read!

never wanted to stop listening

I enjoyed every bit of this story and it was very well read

Highly recommended

I've been listening to books on CD etc. for several years and found this to be one of the best books I've ever listened to. You won't be disappointed.

Wonderful!

This is one of the best books I've ever read. Actually, I listened to this one and the narrators had me captivated from the very beginning and their narration really added a wonderful dimension to the book. I've talked with others who read it and enjoyed it but weren't as overwhelmed by it as I was, so I'm not sure if it was just the timing of when I read it or the audio version that made it so enjoyable for me. It felt sort of like a "Green Mile" at the circus.

There were a couple of sex scenes that were too detailed for me and some language I could have done without, but the story had me engrossed from the very beginning. I see why Audible voted this "Best Audio Book of 2006."

Amazing narration, wonderful story!

Water for Elephants is such a great book! I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. Its the story of Jacob Jenkowski, who leaves vet school after a family tragedy. He hops on to a train with no idea of where he's going and finds he has unknowingly entered a circus train. From there, the story chronicles Jacob's life with the circus and his life in an assisted living center, alternating back and forth between Jacob as a 20 something young man and Jacob as a 93 year old man. The narration is magnificent, the story colorful and mesmerizing. I highly recommend this book!!

F A N T A S T I C Get Away!

I consider a book good when I'm unable to put it down/turn it off. It took me 3 days to complete. Good Luck with the movie:-)
Now back to the housework.

Incredible

Such a fun and fantastic story, and so well written. The performances were absolutely amazing

water for elephants

Amazing book. Very well written. Very well read.
I could not wait to get back into my car to hear more. I was sorry when it was over. Must read.