excellent story, well told.

this was a superb tale, well crafted and smoothly narrated . I was transported to the circus and felt the graft and grime of the reality of a travelling show years ago, while being immersed in a love story.

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6 people found this helpful

Poignant, moving and gripping writing

The movie was okay, the book became one of my all time favourite books. The story itself is a good and interesting one but what made it for me was how the story was written. The language, the descriptions, the characters had nuance and depth in the perfect amount. The ending crowned the whole thing, the idea so refreshing and comforting.

One of the narrators' voices was gravelly which added authenticity even though it wasn't the most pleasant ever to listen to. I'd change nothing, it is superbly worth it to stick with the book even if that sort of thing annoys you.

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Vivid and enthralling

A really unusual story about life in a travelling circus in 1931. The story, about the adventures of Jacob, a middle-class college boy who joins the circus by accident, is vivid and enthralling. The animals are as important a part of the story as the humans, especially Rosie, the elephant and Queenie, the Jack Russell. The story is seen through the memory of Jacob once he has become 93, and lives in a nursing home, and the two story narrators are brilliant, bringing both the rough, tough world of a circus in the middle of prohibition and the depression and life for a frail old man in a nursing home to life in an unforgettable way.

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Excellent!

This was a thought-provoking, well-paced, deeply moving adventure story. I first came across the book after watching the film and being totally drawn into it - so much so that I wanted to not only read Sara Gruen's book, but also find out more about the train circuses of America. The film follows the book pretty faithfully, but I loved that the book allowed you to get to know the characters in so much more depth, and I particularly loved the narration by the older Jacob, which added a touching counterbalance to the excitement and danger of his younger days. It was beautifully narrated by both voice actors. Well worth a listen.

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Not what I expected

This booked appeared to be quite different to my normal choice and it was, but I was hooked from the very start. Some parts make you squirm, some make you laugh out loud but an excellent story well told

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Great book. A definite must.

What did you like most about Water for Elephants?

I can't choose one aspect of this book. I thought both narrators were brilliant, the way the story switched between the young and old man were exceptionally good. I couldn't put it down.

What other book might you compare Water for Elephants to, and why?

I can't think of another book which so brilliantly juxtaposes two periods in a life. The handling of the old Jacob was particularly sensitive.

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

I haven't heard either of them before. I think they were both first class. John Randolph Jones made me cry more than once.

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

From the beginning there were many and the ending was very good as well.

Any additional comments?

Read it and love it - although I know nothing about circus life it seemed very authentic and dreadful.

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1 person found this helpful

Five stars

A totally fulfilling and captivating story that held me throughout . Both narrators are first class.

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Very entertaining

Read very well, throughly enjoyable but for the love of god what is the music about!!!

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Loved it!

Superb narration and fantastic story. This is one of those books that will stick with me.

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Nice book with twists, shocks, love and laughter.

I'd recomend as an easy listen that holds your attention. Welll written and colourful for those with visual imagination.

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