Jacob Janowski's luck had run out—orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was the Great Depression and for Jacob the circus was both his salvation and a living hell. There he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but brutal animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this group of misfits was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.
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"I really liked this book. I liked the parallel of Jacob in the retirement home and the circus. I thought the characters and plot fit the time period. I loved the way the animals played into the entire plot. It was a time period so different than today. It is hard to understand how different times were during the depression and the things people did to get by and survive."
— Teri (4 out of 5 stars)
" Only one word can describe this book: Amazing! "
— Tressa, 2/20/2014" Loved this book. One of the best I read. After reading I was able to understand the movie more! "
— Katrina, 2/12/2014" Loved everything about this book!! "
— Susan, 2/5/2014" I loved the way she took bits and pieces of real life anecdotes and weaved them into a grander tale. I didn't, however, enjoy the way that Jacob was supposed to be modeled after the biblical story, when all that was really taken from his story in the Bible was the word "tent". "
— Alejandra, 1/29/2014" A well-written, great story. As usual, the movie paled to comparison to the book. The book was detailed, but not lengthy. A great read. "
— Margie, 1/27/2014" I put off reading this book forever despite all of the rave reviews because who wants to read about elephants? Frankly, I usually am not into animal stories at all. As it turns out though, this isn't really an animal story at all and I am very glad I finally took the plunge. "
— Kami, 1/17/2014" Never thought I would get into this book, but I loved it. Read way before movie came out. "
— Heidi, 1/15/2014" I really enjoyed this. There were a few times I had to suspend my disbelief but not so much I ever thought about setting the book down before I was done. "
— Judi, 1/14/2014" Audiobook. I haven't seen the movie yet but the book was a great listen with a great ending. "
— Chau, 12/6/2013" Interesting way to learn about circus life. It seemed a bit violent at times but I wasn't around during the time this was written. The love interest is indeed interesting and the ending is great. "
— Fran, 12/1/2013" I wanted to get to know an elephant after reading this book! "
— Mary, 11/17/2013" I read this for a book club and really didn't enjoy the plot or the characters. The best part was the last chapter. "
— Angie, 10/22/2013" I really enjoyed this book. It was so engaging. "
— Carrie, 10/19/2013" Excellent read, great characters, great story! "
— Linda, 10/16/2013" I absolutely loved this book. If you loved the movie, this is better! And I did the unabridged audiobook, which was even better because of the two different readers, being Jacob young and old. Again, fantastic!!!!!!!!!!! "
— Ricky, 6/16/2013" Excellent Book! I do not generally read historical fiction, but this book really told a wonderful story and I look forward to reading more from this genre. "
— Bonnie, 5/31/2013" I didn't think I'd like a book about a circus but I was thoroughly entertained. It's a page-turner. "
— Pamela, 1/24/2013" I only read this book because I wanted to see the film and had it on my bookshelf, I knew I wouldn't read it if I saw the film first. I really enjoyed it and loved all the characters in it. I hope the film is as good!! "
— Gail, 8/30/2012" I loved this book. It is better too read then to watch the movie. "
— Heather, 6/6/2012" Excellent and heart warming story... "
— Julia, 4/2/2012" I loved this book. It was an unusual storyline, and well told. "
— Kathryn, 1/12/2012" Total page turner. Fascinating. My hubs stole it from my nightstand + read it even faster than I did! "
— Laura, 5/24/2011" I have just bought this book yesterday, and enjoying it - every free time I have, I pick up the book and read. Sara Gruen's writing is amazing, it absorbs you into it! "
— Audrey, 5/24/2011" Loved, loved, loved this book! Inspired me to start reading again! "
— Laurel, 5/23/2011" I wouldn't call this a must read....but it was an enjoyable relaxing read. I liked learning about the circus in this time period, the author did a lot of research on the subject, I think it was very accurate. A bit of bad language :(. I just saw the movie, it follows the book quite closely. "
— Ketti, 5/23/2011" I thought it was bit tedious and vulgar. "
— Leigh, 5/23/2011" I liked how it was a page turner and something I might not have picked up. The love story wasn't overpowering! "
— Sharon, 5/23/2011" My very best book - I think ever! <br/> "
— Kerry, 5/23/2011" woaaaa.... ngos-ngosan ngebut setelah selese nongton filmnya :))<br/><br/>duh endingnya... -_- "
— 5/23/2011" Loved the book! I loved how the author wove in so many historical facts. "
— Terry, 5/23/2011" I think I am one of a few who did not like this book. I did not like the cruelty to animals, which was very difficult to read, nor did I like the ending, too unrealistic! "
— Barbara, 5/23/2011" Loving this book. Couldn't wait to see the movie though :( I went to it about halfway through the book..lol "
— Lindsay, 5/23/2011" This is also a very good book. Very different but a great read. "
— Marilyn, 5/23/2011Sara Gruen is the author of the New York Times bestselling novel Water for Elephants, now a major motion picture starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson, as well as the novels Riding Lessons, Flying Changes, and the New York Times bestseller Ape House. She shares her North Carolina home with her own version of a blended family: a husband, three children, four cats, two dogs, two horses, and a goat. She donates a portion of her earnings from all her books to various animal charities.
David Ledoux has narrated a wide range of audio books, for which he was won and been nominated for several Audie and Earphones awards. He was named a 2010 Best Voice by AudioFile magazine for his narration of Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom, and he also narrated Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants and Douglas Copeland’s Nostradamus, among many others.
John Randolph Jones is a voice talent and audiobook narrator.