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)

Transported to another world

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

Both versions probably have their charm, but this was narrated really well

Who was your favorite character and why?

The old Jacob Jankowski is probably my favourite character. He is old but his words are wise

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

excellent narration, with great voice modulation

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

when the dwarf went missing

Any additional comments?

excellent setting, excellent story, it's as if u r in another world when you are listening. One can almost smell the animals and the body odour of the characters, so well was the story etched.

An absolutely wonderful read.

In my opinion, there couldn't have been 2 more perfect narrators to express the life of the main character both in the present and in his earlier years. Being a child at heart, I totally fell in love with the elephant. Who would have thought the biggest surprise would come from her?

From Baraboo

Fascinated by the circus trains of Ringling Brothers' Circus in my homestate, this story, my first audiobook, was a wonderful introduction to having stories read to me as I travel. Though I cared more for the memories and struggles of the older character, the story overall was captivating and dear. I learned to my dismay that I neglected to put part 2 on my device though before a trip.... Augh!

Extraordinary! GREAT!

I loved every word of it. A truly great story. If the movie is anything like the book, then most viewers will enjoy!

Hooked with the first line!

What did you love best about Water for Elephants?

The narrators of the story, David LeDoux and John Randolph Jones.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the story line. I have a better appreciation for what circus performers may have gone through back in the day. The characters of the book were made more alive by having their backgrounds made available to the listener. As I listened to the narrators, I felt like the story was being told to me exclusively. I just loved this book! It really was an awesome read!

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

For me it would be the imagery. As the narrators spoke I could actually feel myself being drawn in. I felt as if I were back in the time period of young Jacob and then dragged back to the present by the older Jacob. I could imagine the perfomers of the circus, the animals and the trains. I have to say the narrators were top-notch and made the story come alive.

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

The story flowed so beautifully. I was so entranced in listening to this book. There were moments that I cried and laughed out loud. I was so sad when the story ended that I immediately listened to it a second time!

Amazing

As a seasoned Audible customer, I have to say this is one of the best narrations I've listened to yet. It was a wonderful story read by two extraordinary performers.

Enjoyed it immensley

This was an absolutely wonderful story and beautifully told. Great narration and super production from beginning to end. This is the audio book that got me hooked.

Perfect audiobook

Fantastic story and fantastic performance! I downloaded audible to give myself something to listen to on my commute, I ended up listening to this book everywhere I could. Truly an excellent story.

Beautiful narration

Great narration. Loved the mix of young and old Jacob. I liked the story even though I'm not a big circus fan.

Great audio book.

Good storyline with excellent narration. The author really puts you in the moment. Everything is quite descriptive and the narrator give a unique sound to all the characters.