The Jungle: A Signature Performance by Casey Affleck

By: Upton Sinclair

Narrated by: Casey Affleck

Length: 14 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Upton Sinclair's The Jungle is a visceral and tragic story of immigrants trying to scratch out a living in the meatpacking plants of Chicago. The resulting public outcry led directly to the US government enacting changes in food and workplace safety practices still in place today.

With food production, business ethics, and immigration back in the news, Academy Award nominee Casey Affleck (Gone Baby Gone) taps into the emotion behind these issues to breathe life back into the struggling inhabitants of Packingtown. Affleck, a committed vegan and animal rights spokesman, delivers a moving performance that connects with the book’s enduring legacy.

The Jungle revolves around the life and family of Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant whose dreams of a better life are crushed by punishing work in gruesome stockyards and an unforgiving city. Brilliantly written and vividly described, it provides a poignant and incredibly detailed snapshot of a striking point in American history.

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Public Domain (P)2010 Audible, Inc

Why, oh why, Casey Affleck?!?...

This is a classic I always wanted to find the time to read. I jumped at the chance when I saw it featured on Audible. Unfortunately, it was difficult to appreciate Sinclair's timeless tale when narrated by Casey Affleck.
He had virtually no inflection and often sounded like he had a mouthful of saliva--the ending of words were difficult to discern in his coarse pronunciation.
I've listened to countless audio books over the years and there are so many good narrators out there practicing this craft, I fault the producers of this version for choosing an actor name over a quality reader.
Since the Lithuanian accent was so crucial to this story, why not use a narrator who has some understanding of this dialect?
Very disappointing recording.

More than a story about meatpacking.

Nobody had ever told me that this is a story about a family of Lithuanian immigrants who settled in the Midwest. That theme rather completes the thread of our history depicted by Willa Cather. The novel is not so many scenes in a meat factory as represented. As for Affleck's narration, I got used to it, he gets better, and it may not be totally inappropriate.

A Book Everyone Should Listen Too!

Excellent! I really enjoyed listening to this book. Casey did an excellent performance. I am going to recommend this audio book to my friends and family.

Insightful Immigrant Story with a Droning Narrator

Would you listen to The Jungle: A Signature Performance by Casey Affleck again? Why?

Probably wouldn't listen to this again simply because of the narration. However, I don't find this to be a story in which you'll wish to get lost over and over regardless. There was an initial shock factor during a first reading; hearing of the disgusting practices and horrid conditions wouldn't have the same impact upon further readings.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Immediately upon starting this book, I had to pause and check who the narrator was. Casey Affleck's voice is so uninterested and monotonous it sounded as though he were about to fall asleep...I understand he was chosen due to his ability to pronounce different languages well, but even at those points I found it distracting how he would hesitate and slow down. Unfortunately his reading was one of the most unpleasant parts of listening to this book.

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

The first 2/3 of this book were much more enthralling for me and I could have easily sat through much of that in one sitting. The last bit, however, I found myself picking at in small bits until it was finally over.

Any additional comments?

Overall, a great book with many eye-opening pictures of immigrant life, the meat-packing industry, and workplace cruelty in general. A solid story that didn't linger too long in any one place and kept a wonderful pace. Would recommend!

Casey does a great job to bring excitement

This book can be a bit heavy, but Casey gave it a bit of character without emoting overly much. But it is still a sad taleof lies, cheats, predation and graft, sort of like the politics of America at this time.

AMERICAN POOR

“The Jungle” is a grim tale written by Upton Sinclair about the meat-packing industry in early 20th century America. Sinclair exposes the dark side of poverty, urbanization, and immigration in the United States. It reminds one of Charles Dickens’ stories of child labor in London but does not offer much warmth or balance. Sinclair’s story offers no respite from utter degradation. There is no respite for a reader to believe there is any redemption for being poor in Chicago in the early 1900s.

Every country in the world benefits and suffers from the nature of man and the effects of urbanization; none offer Eden. America remains a land of opportunity. America still offers the best known vehicle for freedom, but equality of opportunity is a work in progress. As long as the American poor remain hidden; the rich and middle class will avert their eyes, mutter “get a job”, and think the poor get what they deserve.

Intense

Any additional comments?

Wow, this is a very intense book and a bit rough to get through at points, due to content that one does not like to think about. It seems to me that this is the opposite side of the coin to Rand's work and goes too far in the opposite direction, however one can see why unions where so important in the early 1900s in the U.S. and learn much about how some companies operate.

wow

I had to read this book for class but it is such an incredible story that has really made me think and made me emotional thinking about the hardships of Jurgis and his family. it's amazing to see how far America has come in 104 years. definitely a must read!!!!!!

A brutal portrayal of the working class

Where does The Jungle: A Signature Performance by Casey Affleck rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The story is an eye-opening look at what many working class individuals suffered in the early 1900s America. It is not on my list of favorites due to the graphic nature of the story. Although it is not a light-hearted story, I find it valuable from a historical fiction perspective.

What did you like best about this story?

The perspective of how difficult the life was for so many at that time.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Casey Affleck?

Absolutely not. I almost stopped listening several times in the beginning of the book because I found his voice annoying and his reading flat.

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

No. I had to stop at certain points because it was so graphic.

Good listen !

Would you consider the audio edition of The Jungle: A Signature Performance by Casey Affleck to be better than the print version?

Never read it.

Which scene was your favorite?

When they learned how they were cheated when buying their house.

Any additional comments?

More than a little depressing but a great listen, still.