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)

Curse the curse words!

Any additional comments?

The story line was really great. I listened while I drove several states away. It was hard when I had to pause it to get gas or food. I really liked how there were two different readers-one for the older Mr. Jaycowski (spelling?) and one for the younger or past Mr. Jaycowski. I really felt like I was there with the characters. What I didn't like was all the curse words-I do not think they were necessary for the plot and I couldn't "skip lines" as I was listening and not reading. There were also three explicit sex scenes that I did not like either.

B/B+

Overall engaging and mostly interesting story - several plot lines were strangely under developed. Enjoyed it but was hoping for more vet. science!

goda listen

I think this is such an easy to listen to book that is age appropriate for all. I have not laughed aloud as many times as I did with this one. A cheeky grin should be felt by all who can relate to this enchanting tale. I'd really like to know what is comparative to this book. We all would be better people if only we all heard what the old man has to say. I believe this book will be enjoyed by many

Beautiful story, moving narration

This is two stories, a challenged man in his 20's, and the same man challenged at 90 (or 93, what year is this?), each leading with humor and fantastic suspence to an inevitable disaster, or, well, jeeze, just listen to the story! You'll respect elephants so much more afterwards.

Engrossing and endearing

This is a book that can be read, and read again. Sara Gruen has a written a heart warming tale of Jacob Jablonsky, a would-be vetinarian, who as a result of personal tragedy, finds himself working for a circus during the depression era. Ms. Gruen deftly juxtaposes the old and the young Jacob, facing life's challenges and making decisons that define who they are and whom they will be. An elephant never forgets.....and I will never forget this novel.

THE BEST - REALLY!

This is one of the best books I've listened to. The two narrators added flavor and kept the pace going. It felt like I've known Jacob all my life. Made me remember the first time I went to the circus as a child and want to go there now with either Jacob. A very thought-provoking, poignant but happy book.

A Norman Rockwell of an audio book

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

I tell my friends about this one, because you can't stop listening once you start.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters are so passionate and real.

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

The performance, including transitions back and forth from now and then characters was top notch.

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

be prepared to laugh out loud at times and even cry too.

Any additional comments?

Books like this one come along so few and far between, don't miss out on a truly satisfying listen.

A Fantastic ride.

The book travels easily between young and old life stories, moving seamlessly between the two. The character's colours are intense like tasting a ripe, plump mango, more sweet and tangy with each personal bite. Listening to the story in Audible, free's up the participants imagination to create his or her own mental vista and to travel their personal expanse.

I know they'd never match my sweet imagination.(Paul Simon).

Thank you for an axcellent experience.

Simply delightful!!!!

I am not much of a fiction reader but was on a role after listening to "The Help", I was looking for something in fiction to follow it up. A few days ago, I saw that Water For Elephants is opening at the theatre so I took a chance that it might be a good one to listen to before seeing the movie. I am so very glad that I did. What a weekend that I have had! What a delightful book, I never wanted it to end. For the past few days, my life has been spent living in a circus, complete with the sights and sounds (and even smells!) of the circus. I educate medical students and am thinking that some of the sections that are written from the old man's perspective might be helpful in my teaching as it perfectly offers the perspective of the old man in an informative and compassionate way. Well done and VERY well read! Bravo!!!!

Outstanding!

Where does Water for Elephants rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 10

What did you like best about this story?

Spellbinding plot

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

No

If you could rename Water for Elephants, what would you call it?

To Menagerie From Cornell

Any additional comments?

Loved it . .