Audiobook Sample
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- Title: One and Only Ivan
- Author: Katherine Applegate
- Narrator: Adam Grupper
- Length: 03:46:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 06/03/2013
- Publisher: HarperCollins
- Genre: Kids, Animals & Nature, Health & Family
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
The first time I heard Ivan’s voice through Adam Grupper’s narration, I was sitting on a rickety bus winding through the mountains of Costa Rica, where howler monkeys called from the canopy. There’s something magical about encountering an animal’s perspective while surrounded by wildlife – it made Ivan’s story feel like it was being whispered directly from the jungle itself.
Katherine Applegate’s Newbery-winning novel ‘The One and Only Ivan’ transforms a shopping mall gorilla’s true story into profound commentary on captivity, art, and unlikely friendships. Through Ivan’s first-person narration (masterfully delivered by Grupper with gravelly warmth), we experience 27 years of enclosure through eyes that remember both banana leaves and concrete. The genius of Applegate’s approach reminds me of those Oaxacan storytelling nights – simple language carrying extraordinary depth, much like how grandmothers distill lifetimes into folk tales.
Grupper’s performance is a masterclass in restrained emotion. His Ivan speaks slowly, deliberately, like someone rationing words after years of silence. You can hear the weight of memory when Ivan recalls his sister Tag, the rasp of boredom when describing endless days watching humans watch him. The supporting cast shines too – Stella the elephant’s voice rumbles with grandmotherly wisdom, while Bob the stray dog yips with scrappy humor. But it’s Grupper’s handling of Ruby, the baby elephant who cracks Ivan’s cynicism open, that wrecked me. Her high-pitched questions about ‘the wild’ took me back to Chilean deserts where I’d wondered similarly about landscapes beyond my understanding.
Applegate’s themes resonate deeply with my travels studying animal-human relationships. The way Ivan describes making art (‘easy! I just remember what I see and then I fingerpaint the remembering’) mirrors indigenous artists I’ve met who channel entire ecosystems into their work. The mall’s ‘domain’ hierarchy (humans > elephants > gorillas > dogs) reflects uncomfortable truths about how we assign value to life. When Ivan risks everything for Ruby’s freedom, I recalled a Thai monk who told me, ‘Compassion is remembering your chains while breaking someone else’s.’
The audiobook’s pacing mirrors Ivan’s world – languid stretches punctuated by bursts of intensity, like sunlight through zoo bars. HarperCollins’ production enhances this with subtle jungle sounds during Ivan’s memories, though purists might find these embellishments unnecessary. At just under four hours, it’s concise enough for young listeners but layered enough for adults, particularly in sections exploring Ivan’s art as both survival mechanism and rebellion.
Compared to similar animal narratives, Ivan stands out by avoiding anthropomorphism. Unlike ‘Charlotte’s Web’s loquacious spider, Ivan’s voice feels authentically non-human – he doesn’t comprehend metaphors or self-pity, just concrete realities (‘Gorillas are not complainers. We’re dreamers, poets, philosophers, nap takers’). This restraint makes his eventual activism more powerful. Grupper honors this by never overselling emotional moments – when Ivan finally remembers his mother, the quiet crack in his voice speaks volumes.
For families listening together, be prepared for tough questions about zoos and captivity. Applegate doesn’t villainize keepers (Mack is portrayed with nuance), but the ethical questions linger like the smell of Ivan’s domain. These conversations reminded me of watching rescued macaws in Peru – beautiful yet somehow diminished, like paintings behind glass.
If the book has a flaw, it’s that some supporting characters (like Julia the cleaner’s daughter) feel underdeveloped in audio format without illustrations. Also, listeners craving action might find the first half slow, though this deliberate pacing mirrors Ivan’s stasis. Those wanting more adventure might prefer ‘The One and Only Bob’ sequel afterwards.
As someone who’s documented animal sanctuaries worldwide, I can confirm Applegate’s portrayal of captive animals’ psychology rings painfully true. The way Ivan measures time in ‘lifetimes’ (one lifetime = until the TV breaks) echoes how rescued elephants I’ve met count time in ‘before’ and ‘after’ trauma. This authenticity transforms what could be a simple kids’ story into something timeless, like the best campfire tales where laughter and ache share the same log.
Technical notes: The 128kbps recording is crisp, crucial for Grupper’s nuanced delivery. Chapter transitions clearly mark perspective shifts between Ivan, Bob, and Julia. The included author interview offers fascinating insights into Applegate’s research process, including her visit to the real Ivan’s enclosure – a must-listen for aspiring writers.
With stories that linger like jungle echoes,
Marcus Rivera
