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.

Listening Length

13 hours and 28 minutes
Author

Guillermo del Toro, see all
Narrator

Jenna Lamia
Audible release date

March 6, 2018
Language

English
Publisher

Macmillan Audio
ASIN

B0776Y7M29
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	13 hours and 28 minutes
Author	Guillermo del Toro, Daniel Kraus
Narrator	Jenna Lamia
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com Release Date	March 06, 2018
Publisher	Macmillan Audio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B0776Y7M29
Best Sellers Rank	#37,507 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #122 in Magical Realism Fiction #225 in Movie, TV & Video Game Tie-In Fiction #893 in TV, Movie & Game Tie-In Fiction

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4.4 out of 5

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Marie S.

Arrived in great condition ☺️

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 14, 2023

Verified Purchase

First off, I love this book. The first time I read this book back in 2019, I used audible. I’ve probably listen to this book at 3 times so when I starting collecting books for a personal library I knew I wanted a hardcover of this book. I love the story. The occasional humor, the compassion, the silent resilience, the loyalty, the romance-just a top tier read in my opinion.

Second, the book arrived on time and in excellent condition. I had to remove the stickers because, yeah, those aren’t staying on my babies lol but otherwise love the book! Highly recommend it and the seller.

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Sandjoy54

Wonderful story!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 9, 2023

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Had already seen the movie, and makes it even better when u read the book!
A different kind of love story!

One person found this helpful

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RDD

A Must-Read Companion to the Film!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 15, 2018

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In "The Shape of Water", Guillermo del Toro and Daniel Kraus adapt the story of del Toro's 2017 film, but this is so much more than your typical novelization of a film. The book goes beyond the basic plot, to examine characters' backstories and some of the events alluded to in the movie. Del Toro and Kraus alternate between characters' points of view, letting the overlapping narratives add conflict and tension even for those who haven't seen the film. While some events occur differently, it does not fundamentally change the characters and reads like how del Toro intended the film if he had more time and an infinite budget.
They add to Elisa Esposito's background in an orphanage and her magical worldview and connection to water, building upon the movie's hints that her neck scars were never really scars, but always proto-gills. Exploring issues of class, del Toro and Kraus write from Elisa's perspective, "The Daisys [shoes] ill be the only insurgency she brings off tonight, and every night. Feet are what connect you to the ground, and when you are poor, none of that ground belongs to you" (pg. 9). As for Richard Strickland, del Toro and Kraus begin his story with his work to capture the Amphibian Man in the Amazon, recalling "Heart of Darkness" and letting the reader experience the madness that grips him even after he returns to life in the United States. When they turn to Giles Gunderson's perspective and his concerns over Elisa's naïveté, del Toro and Kraus write, "She's incapable of appreciating how deep run the fault lines of America's Red Scare. Undesirables of all sorts risk their lives and livelihoods on a daily basis, and a homosexual painter? Why, that's as undesirable as they come!" (pg. 162). Zelda Fuller's concerns about the Civil Rights movement are forefronted, with her new friendship with Giles at the end of the story serving to show hope in solidarity. Dr. Robert Hoffstetler, one of the most sympathetic characters of the film, is even more compelling in this retelling.
Most interestingly, del Toro and Kraus add a backstory for Elaine Strickland, showing the difficulty she experiences trying to live up to the early 1960s societal expectations for women and following her awakening to more possibilities, including a life of her own other than as Mrs. Strickland. Also fascinating, del Toro and Kraus give insight into the Amphibian Man's point of view. As he begins to recover, he thinks, "We begin to heal and it is beter water than the last water no water should bring pain water should not be flat water should not be smooth water should not be empty water should not have a shape there is no shape of water" (pg. 243).
The film is a heartbreaking adult fairytale and del Toro and Kraus's novelization will fill the reader with wonder and break their hearts all over again. This is a must-read companion to the movie.

20 people found this helpful

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Mads R

A Beautiful piece of fiction!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 22, 2023

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I bought this book because I’m a huge Guillermo Del Toro fan and had been reading the other novelizations of his movies that are available, and this is definitely one of my favorites!
If you crave the “full” story of the Shape of Water, I highly recommend giving this book a read.

One person found this helpful

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Still not really sure

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 21, 2022

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I didn't think I liked it but as I read I appreciated it more. Plus any book that makes you feel strongly about things, good or bad, is good writing. The poetic purple prose was not my favorite and never is and made me read slower.

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Alexa Burgess

Absolutely incredible; a visual feast in print

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 2, 2023

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This book is a piece of art. The way the writers describe the characters, their thoughts, their struggles, motivations, and the world around them is an incredible thing. A beautiful story brought to life in wondrous words.

2 people found this helpful

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Reed

Greater Depth, Complementary Descriptions and Satisfying Closure

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 7, 2018

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With writing that is as beautiful, vivid, original and unusual as the movie itself, this is a perfect companion piece. The novel follows all of the major plot points of the screenplay, with a few twists and dialogue changes to keep it fresh, and additional background on even peripheral characters, adding much depth.

The book begins with an intense depiction of Strickland's 18 month ordeal trekking through the Amazon to find amphibian man, or as the natives call him Deus Branquia. (Gill God). This is an important set-up because it explains why Strickland is a bullying, cowardly antagonist, and he is thusly far less one-dimensional than he came across in the movie.

Inside the thoughts and motivations of Elisa's resolute maneuverings to win the affections of Gill God, and the kaleidoscope of physical reactions he has in response make their love story all the more credible and undeniable.

There are sadly just a few pages of Gill God's thoughts, which are delightful, and I wanted so much more of them. He refers to himself as "we," refers to indoor light as " many fake suns,“and Giles drawings of him are his “twins” The intricacies of his physique, his movements and how he expresses his emotions through his body read like poetry, and there are endless descriptions. You know that he can think and more importantly feel like a human, although he clearly is not human. Its undeniable that he’s a magnificent one-of-a-kind creature, He understands what he is, and he is many things all in one. It is most poignant that he ultimately describes himself, as confusing as it is at first, it makes perfect sense, because therein lies the larger truth of what the movie couldn't fully capture. Still there was just not enough of him and way to much of Strickland. But I feel the exact same way about the movie. For some reason del Toro chooses to not fully share the most compelling element of the story, which is not the mystery of him - it's HIM.

Elisa's final fate is vague from Giles perspective as the movie ends, left with his optimism and beautiful quotation. The book, however, closes with Elisa thoughts, then Gill God's narrative, who absolutely knows what happens to his beloved in the “ever after.” He may have always known. It's fated and beautiful closure to this timeless fairy tale.

112 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Aline Lucila Ramirez Vargas

HERMOSO LIBRO

Reviewed in Mexico 🇲🇽 on March 14, 2018

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LA TAPA DEL LIBRO ES HERMOSA Y LA HISTORIA POR SUPUESTO TAMBIÉN LO ES. VI LA PELÍCULA Y ESTOY CONTINUANDO CON ESTE LIBRO PARA PRACTICAR ADEMÁS MI COMPRENSIÓN DE LECTURA EN INGLÉS.

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C. Dobbins

An unexpected romance.

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on September 9, 2020

Verified Purchase

I just loved this movie! It started slowly, but set the scene for what was to come. Something that really resonated with me was the wearing of high heels at work. I remember doing the same when I was working in a workplace with concrete floors! The 'sea monster' was appealing in a weird kind of way, and it really disturbed me to see the use of an electric zapper to punish? show him who was boss? - it seemed to me to be an expected reaction in an American setting. The friendship between the mute girl and her lonely next-door neighbour was poignant, but it was lovely to see how they communicated, and the fact that he did not turn away when she challenged him over their 'humanity' if they didn't assist the 'sea monster'. And yes, I cried, but then, I frequently do in challenging movies. I recommended this movie to two of my friends, one of whom accepted and enjoyed it, the other who decided it wasn't to her taste, despite my recommendation. Still, that was her loss! At the end of the movie, I was so thrilled by the WAY it ended, that all I could think was that this was a different version of a Cinderella story, although it's hard to say exactly why I think of it in this way. I must admit that I've watched the movie at least 3 times so far, and I'm looking forward to watching it again - soon! In addition, I admit that I've also bought the book (Kindle version), and although I haven't read much of it yet, it has given me a slightly different take on the character of the person I called 'evil' originally! And finally, I loved the fact that the good people weren't disadvantaged, and the 'baddies' got what they deserved. Except for the poor Russian doctor - I felt really sorry for him! And yes, I'll be watching the movie again - and again. I find it to be a really addictive love story.

Monés

Hermoso libro

Reviewed in Mexico 🇲🇽 on March 12, 2018

Verified Purchase

El libro es de excelente calidad, es de pasta dura por lo que se cuidará mejor. Es un hermoso regalo.

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Trev White

Loved the film loved the book

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on March 12, 2018

Verified Purchase

I sat through the movie spellbound. I have just finished the book. Because reading is a slower thing it is possible to pause over aspects of the story and savour the details. I enjoyed knowing more about the background and would recommend this excellent book.

john bryant

read this book with an open mind and enjoy the characters

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on August 12, 2018

Verified Purchase

an absolutely wonderful read

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