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The Shape of Water

Written by: Guillermo del Toro,Daniel Kraus
Narrated by: Jenna Lamia
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Publisher's Summary

*Winner of the 2018 Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director*

Now a major motion picture from Fox Searchlight

Visionary storyteller Guillermo del Toro and celebrated author Daniel Kraus combine their estimable talent in this haunting, heartbreaking audiobook.

The Shape of Water is set in Cold War-era Baltimore at the Occam Aerospace Research Center, which has recently received its most sensitive asset ever: an amphibious man captured in the Amazon. What unfolds is a stirring romance between the asset and one of the janitors on staff, a mute woman who uses sign language to communicate with the creature. 

Developed from the ground up as a bold two-tiered release - one story interpreted by two artists in the independent mediums of literature and film - The Shape of Water weaves together fantasy, horror, and romance to create a tale that is equally gripping on the big screen and as an audio performance. 

Prepare for an experience unlike anything you've ever heard or seen.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2018 Necropolis, Inc. (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

What the critics say

"Jenna Lamia's luminous narration of a love like no other is profoundly affecting and transformative." (AudioFile Magazine)

"This is a beautifully written tale filled with lush descriptions and poetic language, perfect for savoring on audio. Listeners new to the story will be enchanted, but even those who've seen the movie will be drawn into this first-rate adaptation of the poignant tale." (Booklist)

What listeners say about The Shape of Water

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Great Story

I don't usually go in for this kind of story but the characters and the settings were so real I couldn't stop listening. It felt nostalgic and current at the same time with it's theme of universal love. The story is so perfectly narrated that my next audible choice will likely be the same narrator.

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4 people found this helpful

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No words

This novel was beautifully written. I became so absorbed in the story it was hard to stop listening and when it was over I felt I woukd never find another novel as good.
An extremely talented narrator, very easy to follow the change in characters by subtle shifts in her voice and speaking pattern. Amazing

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3 people found this helpful

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great narrator

after watching the movie i decided to read the book. but just in case checked audible. i was so happy. he narrator is really talented. So the story flows like watching movie. i definitely recommend.

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2 people found this helpful

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Wonderful book!

I listened to the audio book without seeing the movie, and now I’m not sure I want to see the movie. The author and narrator were so beautifully descriptive in the telling of the story that I’m not sure even the magic of Hollywood could match the visuals that were painted for me with this book!

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1 person found this helpful

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Not just for SciFi lovers!

An intruguing story with interesting characters. Extremely well narrated! Even if SciFi isn't your thing, you would enjoy this story.

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1 person found this helpful

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Amazing

Loved! Amazing story. Love the history timeline also. It was great to watch the movie right after #Audible1

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Beautiful story and story telling!! A+++

I loved this audiobook. A sci-fi love story for reflecting on our modern times. the narrator is a true actress, bringing the fable to life. I cried at the ending.

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1 person found this helpful

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Simply Amazing

I first bought this book a couple years ago, not expecting much or to like it. It is now one of my most listened to audiobooks in my library!
I am in love with the story, and the narrator’s slight voice changes for characters has me completely lost and enveloped in the whole story!
If you are not sure, I suggest giving it a go! It will not disappoint!
Now I want to watch the movie!!

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  • Overall
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Absolutely fantastic!

I can't get over how much I loved this book. Enough that I think I will have to buy a paper copy and read it as well. The story is rich with detail, imagery and even some enjoyable alliteration. The reader does a good job of various voices which makes it easy to know immediately who is speaking (chapters are from various characters' point of view). I will be recommending this to all of my friends and family!

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Pretty generic at every turn

story and characters very formulaic. Literally voiceless woman is idealized. Grizzled, repressed army vet only one of several stock characters.

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  • E. Chadwick
  • 2018-03-29

Superb

As a fan of the film I was eager to listen to the novel version of the story, to gain more insight into the characters and see how closely a the 13 hour long read of the book compared to the masterpiece of the 2 hour film. The book exceeded my already extremely high expectations.

First, the performance by Jenna Lamia is, itself, a masterpiece. Her voice, characterizations and inflections were a perfect fit for the material. She brought the words to life in a meaningful way and made the entire listen a pleasure.

Without giving any spoilers, there is a really wonderful sub plot that was not in the film involving Lanie. This really added a lot to the story and was an excellent feature. The character studies allowed by the novel add a great deal of depth to all. There were also details to the film that the novel explains, which was a great feature. There are a few differences in the story as compared to the film, and these differences are compelling, almost like alternative takes.

Several scenes, including the finale, with the internal dialogue, is pure poetry.

This is a fantastic and moving book, perfectly performed. It's statements on the human condition, on love, empathy, connection, life and risk, as well as subtle (and needed) social commentary are flawless. This book is a treasure all on it's own, but also makes an excellent companion to the beautiful film.

Perfect.

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139 people found this helpful

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  • Lia
  • 2018-03-15

I am afraid to watch the movie

I still have two hours of the book left. It is so beautifully written. I don't know how a movie could hold up to the book and I am afraid to be disappointed even with the accolades the movie has already received. There are so many stories happening at once in the book I don't know how a movie would have even captured them all so I am sure so much would have been left out; what a shame. The book, so far, is phenomenal and I don't want it to end. The narrator is a magician. I am afraid I will be disappointed and letdown by the movie but I will, of course, watch it anyway.

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104 people found this helpful

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  • The Flash Fiction Ponder
  • 2018-03-09

Starts Out Dry, But...

...Finds its flow into well-written prose. First three and a half hours were drawn out and unnecessary, the rest, an interesting and pleasant listen. It's fine to establish characters, but for about 25% of the book, too much time. The characters were, however, intertwined nicely, and the intimacy between the two main protagonists was a beautiful display of endearment transforming into blossoming sensuality.

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52 people found this helpful

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  • Sassenach
  • 2018-03-23

WOW Water will never be the same.

loved it. saw the movie on an overseas flight and then immediately downloaded the book. both were great.

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42 people found this helpful

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  • BarbClem
  • 2018-03-10

Beautiful

Amazing story of love and acceptance. I look forward to seeing the movie now. Great narrator.

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38 people found this helpful

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  • Susan
  • 2019-03-23

Violent

There was so much violence and ugliness I had to stop listening to it. The writing is ok, but not memorable, and the story is fun, but I could not take the torture and killing. I listened about 3/4 through, and quit.

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34 people found this helpful

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  • Sandra
  • 2018-03-11

Del Toro is the Master

Where does The Shape of Water rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Del Toro and Kraus have made one of the best books Ive listened to in a long time and I listen to books everyday at work.

What did you like best about this story?

They have managed to put in every controversial subject matter into a fantastic story that I will listen to again and again, I have not seen the movie but am looking forward to it.

What does Jenna Lamia bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is flawless

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

The empathy for the creature, that so many ppl reached out to help

Any additional comments?

loved it just loved it, can say it enough.

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28 people found this helpful

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  • Sheila Lockrem
  • 2018-03-08

Love it

This is a beautiful story. For any haters, this book exemplifies what excellent and story telling should encompass. It starts slow to give the back story. Americans are so quick to embrace total violence and sex. With this book use your imagination and feel the pain, joys and sorrows. I can see why it won so many Oscars. The originality and beauty is undeniable .Kudos to the authors. You are the reason I love books. If anyone has negative views,consider what they consider wonderful literature fiction.

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  • Kindle Customer
  • 2018-03-09

Fantastic story.

loved the story as much as the movie. but the story has a wonderful ending that the movie was unable to create. Story is a bit brutal in sections and quite graphic but somehow it seems to fit all the pieces together ,the brutality and the beauty.

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  • ANTHONY G SCHOCK
  • 2018-03-10

Simply Beautiful

Wonderful. Vivid illustration through dialog and plot. Complex storylines, leading to an exciting dramatic conclusion.

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20 people found this helpful

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  • Client d'Amazon
  • 2018-08-25

Good read

Loved it. Definitely recommend. Especially the description from the different view point off all the main characters.

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