Jay Gatsby is still in love with Daisy, whom he met during the war when he was penniless. Having made himself wealthy through illegal means, he now lives in a mansion across the bay from the home of Daisy Buchanan, who has since married for money. Holding on to his illusion of Daisy as perfect, he seeks to impress her with his wealth, and uses his new neighbor, Nick Carraway (our narrator), to reach her.
Daisy's wealthy but boring husband is cheating on her. When his mistress is killed in an accident caused by Daisy, Gatsby covers for her and takes the blame. The result is a murder and an ending which reveals the failure of money to buy love or happiness.
Fitzgerald's elegantly simple work captures the spirit of the Jazz Age and embodies America's obsessions with wealth, power, and the promise of new beginnings.
©1925 Charles Scribner's Sons. Copyright renewed ©1953 Frances Scott Lanahan; (P)2007 .
"It expresses one phase of the great grotesque spectacle of our American scene. It is humor, irony, ribaldry, pathos and loveliness....A curious book, a mystical, glamorous story of today. It takes a deeper cut at life than hitherto has been essayed by Mr. Fitzgerald." (New York Times, April 1925)
"Amazing differention of people and class of people"
When listening I was able to visualize the characters, where as when I read the book some of the descriptions of the people, their backgrounds, and positions was droll. As I listen I seem to get a better visual of everthing I hear.
The conflicting romances
It had to be when Gatsby took the blame for what Daisy did.
I drive and listen, so no.
"Excellent Audiobook"
This audiobook exceeded my expectations. Anthony Heald did a fantastic job narrating and really brought to life Fitzgerald's magnificent prose.
"Best in Audio"
I'm really glad I got this book on audio and didn't try reading it again. This, to me, was one of those stories that I would have been bored to death with had I read it but the audit version helped out greatly in the slow periods of the book. But this is my personal opinion.
I thought Mr. Heald did a very good job narrating the book. His voice is well suited for this type of novel.
I'm a APP. PROFESSIONAL and love it!! I have over 100 books in my library and not stoping any time soon!! Thanks audible!!
"The one book every Audible listener should get!!"
Sure
Yes,it's a classic
I give him a 4, from 1 to. 10
Yes, that is the only reason I bought it.
The new movie will be out around Christmas, 2012. The cast is great and the movie looks better than the book!!!! A great refresher before it comes out. F Scott had a great ending that has people talking for years, I hope the movie does the same. Ask yourself, how do you take the book? You will never get the same answer!!!
"Good story"
It was a story that kept the reader interested. Not boring
Not bad, short, easy listening.
"There's a reason it's a classic"
I loved the plot twists and felt that using Nick as the all seeing narrator was a fantastic choice. The reader has a chance to piece together what's happening just one step ahead of the characters.
Fitzgerald knows how to spin a story that keeps the reader engaged and feeling through the whole experience.
concise, clear, flat
"Secrets and misunderstandings sometimes shape our lives, and sometimes end it"
"A Great, Manageable, Classic"
I have never read any of the print version, but if I have time I usually prefer reading the words myself. However, when I am pressed for time, which I usually am, it is convenient to listen to the book while I do whatever I need to do, whether it is house chores or a long drive (which was the case for the Great Gatsby). The convenience and accessibility of the audiobook is what I love, not necessarily the reader, although he did a good job.
It is impossible not to compare The Great Gatsby with contemporary works such as Hemingway and my favorite author, Orwell. If you enjoy these modern classics there is no reason not to pick up the Great Gatsby.
It is always awkward when a reader does the voice of a character of the opposite gender, but he did a good job with the ones in this book, emphasizing, yet not overemphasizing his interpretation of their voices.
This is a book that I literally did listen to in one sitting. It is not a very long book and I happened to be on a crosscountry road trip when I listened to it. It was a good companion for a long nighttime stretch through western Texas.
This was not my favorite book ever, but it is easy to see why it is important, and I enjoyed the story and I think a modern imagination of the plot is easy to visualize.
"Great to revisit the classics!"
Great book! Fitzgerald is not a great writer of women, but the creation of the characters of this era (Gatsby and Nick) are spot on.
Nick is my favorite; he's a non-judgemental observer of this life.
Yes
No. I listenend to it in the car back and forth to work - the sections were short enough to follow the story in short bursts!
Great classic - short and easy to listen to.
"Getting Ready for the Movie"
Excellent reading. I wanted to refresh my memory before the movie is released, but just loved the language, again.
"Engaging"
I loved it because the narrator was engaging and fun to listen to. There was a lot of emotion in the reading.
Nick was my favorite character because I felt like he was talking to me throughout the story, which gave me an outsiders view of what was going on, instead of being told by Gatsby.
no I have not.
I wish I had the time I would have definitely listened to the entire book in one sitting.