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)

Great reading of great novel.

Jake Gyllenhaal sounds just like I think these fascinating characters would. They are believable, intriguing and real. And such a beautifully written book. I'm very glad I chose to listen to this rendition.

A classic told beautifully

While this isn’t the best narration I’ve ever heard of Gatsby, it will do just fine. I like Jakes performance overall, albeit his monotone inflection doesn’t make a great Gatsby.
The important part is the book, and it’s still as vibrant and thrilling as it was when it was published. This book elegantly depicts the 1920s, and believe it or not your high school English teacher was right! It is a very important book. So rather it’s for newcomers or returning guests, enjoy.

A fine novel

I understand now why this book is considered a classic. It is a wonderful peice on love, wealth, and the human spirit. A great read.

Great book. Excellent narration.

This is a great book and an easy listen. I didn't want to take my headphones off!

Great Gatsby is great

Jake Gyllenhaal gives a great performance on a classic, with a story that has many different ways and viewpoints to read it from.

A true American Classic Read Wonderfully

Jake Gyllenhaal's performance of "The Great Gatsby" deserves all of the praise and accolades possible; he has simply done a superb job! This is the best performance I have listened to of an Audiobook thus far, and I hope that Gyllenhaal does more Fitzgerald in the future.

The novel itself is timeless, and in many ways, might be the finest accomplishment by an American writer. If you haven't read or heard about the book, I don't want to spoil anything for you, but you should know that the language is incredibly poetic (something that Gyllenhaal does a wonderful job of performing and preserving in his performance) capped off with perhaps the most famous closing line of any novel in the 20th century.

Just get this audiobook, you won't regret it.

30 Years later, still a a classic

I read this book back in high school. Enjoyed the book even more now with a few more years of wisdom under my belt.

The Great Gatsby

It was a good book to listen to and follow along. The story line was a real clever one. Always had me on the edge of my seat and I fell in love with the book after the 2nd chapter. It is a must read and we can see that not everything ends happily ever after.

Greatest love story

This book has been a favorite of mine since my adolescent days in school. It seems the value of the book keeps increasing through age as if this is the finest of wines. Jake’s voice captured a surreal version of Nick Carraway’s character and help the audience feel vulnerable with him. It was beautiful in all aspects.

jake gyllenhaal is an amazing person

the narater is so amazing.changing voices with characters and made me remember everything in the test.best advice try to listen while u following him in the book.