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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

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Spectacular!

This book was recommended to me so I had no idea what to expect. No, I didn't read the preview. I would definitely recommend this book. It would be a great book club book.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Glad I forgot the movie

Nice story of an old man and his memories. Nit a strong recommendation of our nursing homes but probably accurate. Loved the ending.

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great book

loved the ending, nice story line.great book. would definately read again. keeps you on edge from start to finish

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding

As a senior citizen, this book was great. The author really knows nursing home life. This is a wonderful story, well witten and very well spoken. I liked the surprise ending.

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Outstanding! Bravo!

I have been an Audible member for several years and I have heard many many books. However, this is at the very top. The narration is fantastic and the story is just wonderful. Couldn't stop listening. Action, mystery, romance, humor and heartbreak all wrapped up in a great tale of people and circumstances we rarely ever hear about. Definitely worth downloading.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Engrossing story

This book is very well written. The author does an outstanding job of capturing the feel of what life was like during the depression. By using the two narratives of the same character at different times in his life, the author kept me interested to see what the next chapter would bring. I think it was very poignant to hear the perspective of the older Jacob as he nears the end of his life.

I found the book to be compelling and could not wait to get back to listening every chance I had. Almost listened straight through.

Listening to Jacob at 93 probably will give most people a completely different understanding of the aging process. I certainly was able to identify some of his feelings with those of my older family.

And lastly, just a quick word about Rosie. She just captured my heart. What a doll!

Highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story with good depth of characters.

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    5 out of 5 stars

The next best thing to perfect!

Loved this book! Especially enjoyed the John Randolph Jones (?) reading the older version of the main character. And I loved the ending!

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Wonderful read

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

absolutely recommend this book to anyone

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

Jacob was my favorite - the 90 or 93 year old is first then the younger one. I would also invite the nurse.

If you could take any character from Water for Elephants out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The old Jacob - I would want to hear all his stories!!

Any additional comments?

this book really shines a light on how we look at and treat the elderly. We have no idea what they have been through and done in their lives........and we need to respect them more. I would like to be more like the nurse in this story who alway had respect and listened to Jacob eventhough he was being a codger

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Vets do more than water the elephant

To go from riches to rags and fight for your life can be somewhat horrifying. To fall in love along the way can complicate life as well. Watching the big guy go down and getting the satisfaction of revenge can be sweet.

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Excellent story and very educational!

My mom is in a nursing home. I was very surprised to feel I was learning about her from this story. It's beautiful. The characters are so well developed. I fell in love! I wanted to join the circus. I wanted to volunteer at mom's nursing home. I wanted to meet and get to know these people! I laughed. I cried. I rejoiced. I want a freaking elephant! Great, great, great book and a wonderful way to spend my time! I might read it again and I rarely do this!

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