The Great Gatsby

By: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Narrated by: Jake Gyllenhaal

Length: 4 hrs and 49 mins

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)

Narration was a letdown

Did Jake Gyllenhaal do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

NO! I was so impressed by the initial narration of the first chapter, but it quickly disintegrated as dialogue and characters were introduced, both in narration quality and in editing, as to become a >complete< flop! Gyllenhaal did not distinguish well between characters, his pace was clunky, and there seemed to be a lot of obvious piecing-together of the editing job. I was very disappointed, almost to the point of distraction. I expected so much more. He has a fantastic voice, but if this performance is any indication, narration is not for his resume.

I don't like love stories

love stories usually add no new information to my life, however, this isn't a regular love story. This narrative has a more profound message which unwraps only towards the end. Hangin there you shall be rewarded.

The great American novel

The Great Gatsby is simple and so complicated. The writing style seems to transcend all eras and the story is one of success and absolute failure. You can almost feel the crushed human spirit of Nick as the story progresses. This will always be one of my favorite books.

amazing story performed by an amazing actor

this book and Jake's great performance will hold a very special place in my heart

Masterpiece through and through

What a thing it would be if Fitzgerald were alive today to capture the insanity of our world. I read this book in high school, and remember being moved to action. Now 35 years later I listen to it and become wistful. Fitzgerald has a way of capturing the moment like a great painter that makes you just want to stand back and look at it.

No wonder it is a classic!

A treat for the ears. A wonderful story. No susrprise it has been filmed repeatedly. Nicely performed.

Favorite book plus awesome narration

Would you consider the audio edition of The Great Gatsby to be better than the print version?

The story is all time classic and my all time favorite.Jake Gyllenhaal's narration adds to the charm of this great book.

Meh.

I still don't know how to feel about the story I feel like Daisy was a bitch and I feel like Gatsby was a dumbness. I sorta have this love hate relationship with their relationship it's very confusing its very you know very well no I don't know how to put it but I know it's definitely a story that's going to stay with me for a long time I did enjoy it I just loved Gyllenhaal narration through the story I quite don't know how to feel about this quite just yet I have to sleep on it and I have to think about it and I have to really analyze it to understand it and really understand my feelings towards it.

Love it!

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

The book is so well written.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gatzby. So charming, yet so human. Remember, the past is in the past. He created a life around trying to recreate the past, in a way.

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

Both, but mostly laugh.

Really enjoyed this classic.

The story was engaging and the narration was excellent. Villan or hero, you can decide.