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The Great Gatsby  By  cover art

The Great Gatsby

By: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Narrated by: Jake Gyllenhaal
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Editorial review


By Madeline Anthony, Audible Editor

HOW THE GREAT GATSBY BECAME THE QUINTESSENTIAL JAZZ AGE NOVEL

If you ever find yourself pondering the correlation between the greatness of a work and it’s commercial success (or lack there of), and whether or not the first has anything to do with the latter, here’s a case study to wrap your mind around—F. Scott Fitzgerald died thinking that his third novel, The Great Gatsby, was a dismal failure and that his body of work would soon be forgotten.

While the novel sold only 20,000 copies during Fitzgerald’s lifetime, The Great Gatsby stood the test of time and is now widely considered Great American Novel canon. Largely seen as a literary masterpiece, the novel has made its way into high school and college curriculum as required reading, inspired multiple critically acclaimed films, and set the stage for creative spin-offs set in the world of Gatsby (such as Daisy, a reimagined take on the novel from the perspective of Daisy Buchanan herself), and has generally inserted itself into American vernacular.

There are other authors and novels with similar stories; for instance, Moby Dick was a critical and commercial flop until it finally gained popularity 30 years after author Herman Melville passed. Sometimes an author is ahead of his or her time, and sometimes chance works in mysterious ways. In Fitzgerald’s case, copies of Gatsby were handed out freely to soldiers during World War II. The renewed interest in the book breathed new life into it, and from that moment on, Gatsby soared.

Today, the nostalgia conjured by the Roaring 20s is in a kind of renaissance. Or maybe, the truth is that a sort of longing for the romanticism of this era never really died. In lower Manhattan, guests can venture into The Gatsby Experience for instance, which is an interactive theatre of sorts equipped with a speakeasy tour and live performance. The Great Gatsby, a new musical, is running off-Broadway, and a general appreciation of not only the classic novel but also the time in which the novel was set is alive and well. Don’t we all want to live in a time where the champagne flows, and life, for a brief moment at least, seemed easy?

Continue reading Madeline's review >

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Classic, 2014

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic American novel of the Roaring Twenties is beloved by generations of readers and stands as his crowning work. This new audio edition, authorized by the Fitzgerald estate, is narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain). Gyllenhaal's performance is a faithful delivery in the voice of Nick Carraway, the Midwesterner turned New York bond salesman, who rents a small house next door to the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby. There, he has a firsthand view of Gatsby’s lavish West Egg parties - and of his undying love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan.

After meeting and losing Daisy during the war, Gatsby has made himself fabulously wealthy. Now, he believes that his only way to true happiness is to find his way back into Daisy’s life, and he uses Nick to try to reach her. What happens when the characters’ fantasies are confronted with reality makes for a startling conclusion to this iconic masterpiece.

This special audio edition joins the recent film - as well as many other movie, radio, theater, and even video-game adaptations - as a fitting tribute to the cultural significance of Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age classic, widely regarded as one of the greatest stories ever told.

©1925 Charles Scribner's Sons. Copyright renewed 1953 by Frances Scott Fitzgerald Lanahan (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Combining a deeply loved classic like The Great Gatsby with a well-known Hollywood voice like Jake Gyllenhaal’s could create magic or disaster. Could there be competition between the two? Which side would come out stronger? This production strikes a graceful balance, with both big names blending to complement each other. Gyllenhaal’s reserved tone lends polish to Fitzgerald’s text, accentuating the mood of poetry that pervades the novel. His delivery is simultaneously youthful and experienced, aware of the subtleties of the characters and the plot nuances as he infuses them with life. Gyllenhaal controls his performance with style and careful pacing, seemingly keeping as reverent an eye on the novel as Gatsby himself kept on that elusive green light." (AudioFile magazine)

Featured Article: The 20 Best Classic Audiobooks to Listen to Again and Again


Classics are known for their timeless quality, their ability to endure through generations and still hold something significant for the modern listener—whether it’s commentary on a long-gone era or an ageless tale of adventure. In this roundup, each story is paired with an exceptional, show-stopping narrator who takes the tale to new heights. While you may have read some of these stories, you’ve certainly never heard them quite like this.

What listeners say about The Great Gatsby

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    5 out of 5 stars

Love the book. Jake is awful.

Would you listen to The Great Gatsby again? Why?

Yes. I love it, but Jake sucks.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Great Gatsby?

Everything, and especially the ending.

What didn’t you like about Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance?

He's dry and slow and sleepy and sounds like he's bored or just woke up. He sounds like an amateur. The BEST VERSION is on CASSETTE TAPE by Christopher Reeve. Yes, SUPERMAN reads GATSBY BEST! Find the old cassette version. It hasn't been put on digital, sadly.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

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Amazing Book & Awesome Narrator!

What made the experience of listening to The Great Gatsby the most enjoyable?

I like the voice of the narrator "Jake Gyllenhaal", it makes the book sound more interesting and enjoyable.

What other book might you compare The Great Gatsby to and why?

I usually don't read so I can't compare this book to anything, all I can say is that its interesting and i'm usually picky with books.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when Nick finally met Gatsby or at least when he found out it was him. :)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!

Any additional comments?

I LOVE THIS BOOK AND LEONARDO DICAPRIO! <3 :D

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Beautiful, musical and entrancing

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

His voice brings the poetry of Fitzgerald to a rhythmic and flowing narrative.

Any additional comments?

I remembered liking the book in high school but didn't remember anything about it. When the movie came out, I thought it was time to revisit it. All I can say us this book was meant to be heard, not read.

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OUTSTANDING

loved every minute of it. wonderfully well written. outstanding story gray narrator.i recommend it to everyone.

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Beautiful performance!

Jake Gyllenhaal's narration is beautiful and true to this classic. If you like F. Scott Fitzgerald's work, this audio book will delight and entertain,

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A winding tale of emotions

What a frenzy! Having never sat down to read the book, I am delighted I finally found the time to listen to it. The narrator did a great job, and I was swept up with the drama.
While I naturally felt the tragedy, I feel there is a hope to the story. A suggestion is spun where the events could have ended better if the characters had made different choices. It is a warning to the ambitious to watch for the danger caused by single mindedness and the inability to let go of a missed opportunity. It is also a story which cautions against attaching one’s self to the self indulgent and the “mooch”.

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The Great American Novel brought to life by Jake G

What did you love best about The Great Gatsby?

Jake Gyllenhaal brings The Great Gatsby to life with his superb narration.

What did you like best about this story?

This book is as good today, or better, than when I read it in high school 40 years ago. Now that I'm older and wiser, I have a greater appreciation of the story.

Which character – as performed by Jake Gyllenhaal – was your favorite?

Nick Carraway, the narrator of the novel. Jake brings Nick to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It's so interesting how this story of the 1920s still seems so relevant almost 100 years later. This story of the American Dream and its underbelly (greed, selfishness, etc.) is timeless.

Any additional comments?

I found Fitzgerald's description of Meyer Wolfsheim, the organized crime character, to be a bit anti-Semitic. But then this book was written in the early 1920s when stereotypes were more acceptable.

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good read

fabulous story line. cannot wait to download and listen to another book by this author.

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a Classic

I can see why its a classic. I really liked it. time to WatchThe Movie

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Nick

I just wanted Nick to find love, or frankly just to know more about him.

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