Water for Elephants

De: Sara Gruen

Narrado por: David LeDoux, John Randolph Jones

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

Reseñas de la Crítica

• 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)

superb

Perfect story. perfect ending. true to the life.
daring, tragic and lonely. compassion and character win. soulful and inviting. like Grandpa.

Loved it!

I had passed up on this book time and time again. I thought, "I"m not interested in a book about a circus!"
When it went on sale, I thought, "What the heck!" and went for it. What a great move! (brilliant on my part, lol)
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Didn't think I would and was pleasantly surprised. After reading the book, I watched the movie. The movie was pretty bad. The book was great!

One of the best!

I could kick myself for waiting so long to listen to this. This is one of the best audible books I've listened to. Great book! Can't wait for the movie.

10 stars -- Ought to win all the awards

Well written, perfectly voiced, creative story line, surprising plot twists, interesting characters, murder, mystery, love story. Everything anyone could be looking for in a book. I just bought 3 for gifts. Kudos to the writer and actors. Incredible presentation and story. The best I've listened to since 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. This should be a classic.

one of the best I've listened to

just an absolutely delightful story and incredible narrative performance by both men. this one will really warm your heart and keep you listening probably well past whatever else you were supposed to have been doing! don't miss it!

A book to make you think about

I really enjoyed this one. If you have any elderly people in your life, it will make you want to sit and talk to them. The two different readers greatly adds realism to a story covering most of a life time.

I LOVEthis book soooo much!!

The narrator was fantastic! I felt this book thru to my soul. I laughed, smiled and cried, best story ever. Ive read the physical book and thoroughly enjoyed the audio version. You won't be disappointed!

trip across the county with Water For Elephants!!

loved it. Couldn't wait to get in the car every to pickup where we left off!

GREAT truly a story to listen to

What a great story . Very enjoyable . I had read it was a good telling I completely agree , the different voices & characters ,a small amount of music inserted at the right times all very believable for the time . The past & present . its just such a great story

GREAT BOOK!

I usually listen to this book every year or so and I never get tired of it. The narrators are fabulous. Great story line....