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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

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    13,812
  • 4 Stars
    5,869
  • 3 Stars
    1,926
  • 2 Stars
    521
  • 1 Stars
    384
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
    2,807
  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    9,065
  • 4 Stars
    3,278
  • 3 Stars
    1,254
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    215

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

Great story and great characters.

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

Yes. I loved the voices from the character as he's in his old age and in his youth.

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

No. I loved the narrator. I'm going to search for other books that he's narrating.

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

It's a love story/triangle so the characters to that triangle are the most memorable because you get to know them to decide whether to love or hate them.

Any additional comments?

Loved the movie as well. It really brought the characters to life. Especially Rosie the elephant! Loved seeing her in full action. She's beautiful!

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

Absolutely wonderful!

I think this book would appeal to a very broad audience. It has so many disparate elements, each wonderfully done...
Bad guys you truly despise, protagonists you really like, an aching love of animals and hatred of their mistreatment that pulls you in and makes you really care about what happens next...murder mystery/suspense, great writing, and perfect narration...
I love almost everything, but this really is one of the best reads I've come across yet.

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

Engaging story expertly weaving present and past

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

I would, and have, recommended this audiobook. It was an engaging story narrated by two superb readers David LeDoux and John Randolph Jones. This story should appeal to both men & women. It was crisp, not flowery, yet painted a vivid and detailed picture in my mind's eye.

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

The way the story was narrated (not the narrators) reminded me of the construction of The Notebook and the Curious Tale of Benjamin Button.

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

I found both both readers equally enjoyable, particularly how each character had a distinctive voice. This was a case of the master storyteller(s) being matched up with a masterfully crafted story, it was a successful formula. Well Done!

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

Yes. It was engrossing. When it was over I was saddened to have this storytelling expedience come to an end.

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

Fantastic narration!

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

This audio book was extremely entertaining! I loved the book, but narration put life into the story. I listen during my long commute to and from work and this book never once made mr feel sleepy like others have done. Bravo!

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

This was my first time listening to these performers and I would probably choose another book because either one was narrating.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I stayed engrossed in the story with all its emotions.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this audible book to anyone who asked me 😍

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

I would give this book 10 stars if I could!

I am an animal person so I tend to stay away from books with animals in the title, since I can't handle their abuse or neglect. I was worried about reading this book because of that, but I finally gave in. I am so glad I did! What a wonderful story! I just finished it and all I can say is that my heart is full of the love and joy this story brought with it.

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

Great Listen, Bit Predictable

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

Amazing Narration, Fun Characters, Interesting Perspectives

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

Most memorial moment of this book was when it just happened to start playing through my bluetooth in my car while my boyfriend happened to be in the car during a particularly raunchy scene! Had to make him keep listening to ensure that I wasn't listening to a snuff book!!!

Which character – as performed by David LeDoux and John Randolph Jones – was your favorite?

The younger narrator was my favorite. The older one had great character but was hard to hear/understand a few times.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Toward the end it was an emotional roller coaster. From happy, to sad, to happy again!

Any additional comments?

Worth the listen! Just be wary of few moments of x-rated segments, sure did have a few laughs about it though.

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

It was ok, but why did they make a movie from it?

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the story and all, but I bought the book not having seen the movie. I figured if they made a movie from it, it must be an exceptional book. I was a little disappointed because it isn't GREAT, but it's still a nice story and worth the purchase.

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

Excellent listen

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

I listen to books on my way to an from work .. I so enjoyed listening to the book..

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

One of the best audiobooks of all time

Not only is this story arrestingly beautiful, both narrators (who play the main character in his youth and old age) are outstanding. I absolutely loved this book!

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