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Water for Elephants

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Water for Elephants

By: Sara Gruen
Narrated by: David LeDoux, John Randolph Jones, Various
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About this listen

Jacob Jankowski reflects back on his wild and wondrous days with a circus. In the Depression era, 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: Marlena, beautiful star of the equestrian act; August, her charismatic but twisted husband (and the circus' animal trainer); and Rosie, the seemingly untrainable elephant Jacob cares for.

©2006 Sara Gruen (P)2006 HighBridge Company Fiction Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Elephant

Critic Reviews

"This marvelously exciting and satisfying book has been given the engaging audio production it deserves." ( Audiofile)
" Water for Elephants is fun, sweet and thrilling and will pull you into the mysterious life of the circus so far that you won't want to leave." ( Guardian)
All stars
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book lacks the excitement every unusual event should bring to the reader. dont think would recommend

ok story, but poor writing.

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The narrators do a great job telling this story, listening to both old and young Jacob Jankowski gives you perspective on how life can be for both the young and the old. I cannot help but feel sympathy for old Jacob as he struggles with depression and apathy in the nursing home, but towards the end of the story, he strikes out for an adventure and ends up somewhere better. I certainly loved hearing about the Benzini Bros. Most Spectacular Show on Earth. This is novel is definitely worth the money.

Certainly worth listening too!

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This book transported me to a different world. Great story yelling and eye opening perspectives from young to old.

Beautiful and entertaining

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I was reading this to check it before I gifted the book to my readaholic tween. I'm glad I checked - it's too sexual for someone so young; detailed descriptions of a peep show and various sexual imaginings and encounters.

But the story itself is sweet; flitting between the young and the old Jacob as he lives his adventure. The end was beautiful

Not kid-suitable but a beautiful story

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Loved the story. Didn’t enjoy the old man part as much but it all came together beautifully

Well told

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