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)

So good i passed on the movie

Would you listen to Water for Elephants again? Why?

No, the story was pretty easy to absorb and follow along with. The only reason to re-listen to a book is if the plot was complex (which for this book wasnt the case) and/or their is some invaluable advice in the book (some little take aways but nothing life changing)

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

It compares to any other love story. Basic gist is that love overcomes all adverisity.

Which scene was your favorite?

Edward saving marlena from the stampede.

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

A tale of love, adventure and courage

Whimsical

A wonderful story! Both performances were simply splendid and left me in tears a number of times. Will absolutely be listening to this again soon!

Would've been better without music.

Really enjoyed the narration, however the music was loud and distracting. Would've been better without any. At least the music was only used to transition, but still I would've preferred the recording without it.

Water For Elephants

This wonderful story allowed me to slip back in time and savor the slower pace of what our now hectic life no longer allows.Truly a memorable experience E.J. Vt.

A future classic

If you could sum up Water for Elephants in three words, what would they be?

Touching, funny, beautiful

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jacob who through his story teaches we never have to stop dreaming and pursuing our dreams

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

The best narrators I've ever heard

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

Yes!

Any additional comments?

A must must must read!

Music on audible books

I find the music a bit distracting and often too loud. Otherwise, really loved this book

Water for Elephants

???Water for Elephants??? is a story about the circus, being in love, and hard times. The narration is done with two voices for the main character, at ages 93 and 23. LeDoux??? and Jones??? and their distinctive phrasing make Sara Gruen???s hero unforgettable.

Life happens; a 23 year old Jankowski is about to graduate from Veterinary school when his parents die in a car crash. In the 1929 crash of the car and the American economy, Jankowski???s life shatters. He is mentally broken; unable to take his final Veterinary exam. He has no money; his family is gone; he hops a train to anywhere. And the story progresses at the speed of life and memory.

Wonderful!

This book had me at the 90 or 93 year old Jacob. This was such a heart warming story of how we can truly be destined for a certain calling and never lose that passion.

Like listening to a good movie

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

I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book, and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes a good story. Great skill in the narration, with both gentlemen totally selling their version of the younger / older character.

Probably the best audio book to which I've listened.

Great narrator's.

Absolutely loved the narrator's they did an amazing job. finished it in just two days