The Great Gatsby
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The Great Gatsby
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Narrated by:
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Jake Gyllenhaal
About this listen
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.Listeners also enjoyed...
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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 >
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: 50+ The Great Gatsby Quotes on Life, Love, and the American Dream
Written and set in the 1920s, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a classic work of literature that isn’t easy to categorize. You could say it's a love story, but Fitzgerald entangles this yearning with tales of epic parties, commentaries on classicism, and existential probing. The plot is thick, the characters are profound, and the prose: unforgettably gorgeous. Discover quotes from The Great Gatsby that demonstrate the depth of this timeless tale.
What listeners say about The Great Gatsby
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kathi
- 04-10-13
Fabulous narration of The Great Gatsby!
The Great Gatsby, one of the most frequently read books in our culture, has been given wonderful new life through the superb narration of Jake Gyllenhaal. Here is the American classic, giving a vivid insight into one of the most Intriguing eras of our history, the "Roaring Twenties." Fitzgerald's story of the shift in morals and mindset describes the short decade in which flappers, gin, new money and maybe even gangsters illustrated a certain freedom, and definitely a now-stereotyped image of the boom times following WWI.
Nick Carroway, a young man from the Midwest who has settled in the east, tells the story from his vantage point, that of someone drawn into the tumultuous times by the accident of being related to Daisy Buchanan. Daisy is unhappily married to Tom, but the object of such devotion to Jay Gatsby, who dated her in an earlier time but cannot let go of her memory, that he has reinvented himself as a wealthy man in the hope of someday reconnecting with Daisy. Among other things, this book tells the story of what happens when dreams change to cold reality. Because Jay and Daisy do find each other, through Nick Carroway. But only tragedy ensues, which is really the bulk of the entire amazing book.
There is so much one can say about this novel, from the standpoint of symbols and motifs (such as the famous old billboard with the eyeglasses of TJ Eckleburg, who may represent the fading society that is passing, or maybe the eye of God looking down upon an increasingly godless society), or the story of tragic romance, or, as a prescient commentary on that passionate era.
Although most of us read this in school at some point, it is now interesting to revisit it in the aftermath of the great "Dot.com" era, which was followed by an economic downturn, just as the Great Depression succeeded the "Roaring Twenties". I found myself thinking that this is truly a book for our times in many ways, almost a true reminder that history does repeat. If somehow anyone out there missed reading this book as a literature assignment, or even if you have read it dozens of times, you will find Gyllenhaal's narration of it a rare treat! Highly recommend!
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29 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chris - Audible
- 05-03-13
Jake Gyllenhaal Absolutely Nails It
I knew I always liked The Great Gatsby, but having not read it since high school, I couldn’t remember exactly why. After listening to Jake Gyllenhaal’s superb narration, I was reminded of what I found so great about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic. Gyllenhaal strikes the right chord as Nick Carraway, who exists within the hyper-privileged world of Long Island’s upper crust but manages to avoid becoming jaded and swept up by the materialism of his cousin, Daisy, and the titular Gatsby. Fitzgerald’s elegant yet simple prose still holds up, and Gyllenhaal treats it with the utmost respect, allowing the vivid descriptions of mansions, landmarks, and 1920s New York to flow at just the right pace. While ultimately tragic, The Great Gatsby is full of light and beautiful moments that kindle nostalgia for the Roaring Twenties, and I was glad to have been reintroduced to a favorite book this way.
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13 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Caitlin
- 05-13-13
Jake Gyllenhaal is amazing
Would you consider the audio edition of The Great Gatsby to be better than the print version?
I read the print version in high school and just re-read via audio book and I thought it was fantastic. It really brings it to life in a completely different way
Any additional comments?
Great, highly recommended!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Unknown
- 02-06-15
Jake Gyllenhaal is the best!
I have always hated this book. I don't want to discuss the terrible symbolism, the ridiculous stereotypes, or the exaggerated characters.
Regardless of how terrible I think the book is, Jake Gyllenhaal makes it worth the listen!
I listened to it right after watching the newest movie, too. I think that helped improve my view of the way that Gyllenhaal reads the book even further.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Janna Wong Healy
- 04-28-13
Gatsby Is Still Great
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I would absolutely recommend this audiobook to my friends. Jake Gyllenhaal's reading is superb and very engaging.
What did you like best about this story?
Thematically strong, this book is masterfully written.
What about Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance did you like?
I found Jake Gyllenhaal's performance to be exactly right. His reading perfectly captured the seriousness of the book. It was lovely to listen to and I was sad when his reading came to an end.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I was overcome by emotion at several key scenes of the book.
Any additional comments?
It has been years since I read this book and I feel as if I was too young and immature to appreciate its beauty at the time I read it before. I am older now and I can fully embrace the novel and all that Fitzgerald hoped to do with it.
This is a wonderful book with strong themes and engaging characters (starting with Jay Gatsby himself). It's not difficult to become thoroughly involved in Gatsby's life, his intense love for Daisy and his mysterious upbringing. Importantly, despite its being written many years ago, it perfectly translates to today. With the economic upheavals we are currently experiencing, it's good to have be reminded that money doesn't buy you happiness...and it never will.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lauren
- 07-31-13
A Classic is a Classic
Had read Gatsby in high school and listened to Tim Robbins' narration but wanted to celebrate the book with Gyllenhaal's narration before the movie came out and of course it didn't disappoint. The voice didn't sound like Jake Gyllenhaal to me but it was still really good.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DJMAC
- 03-04-22
Great story TERRIBLE Narrator
the story is great. the narration was awful. audible needs voices with personality that puts life into the characters, this presentation was dull, lifeless, like chewing cardboard
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- David Larmore
- 06-25-20
Narration is weak
The mispronounced words were too much. He’s not the worst reader I’ve heard, but meh. It’s too bad, because I love this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tommy Robinson
- 10-24-17
Still a classic!
The Great Gatsby is still a classic! The way the F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the English language is brilliant. The way he describes everything, from the atmosphere of the 20's, to the description of West Egg, and how Gatsby created his persona to win Daisy's love is mesmerizing.
Jake Gyllenhaal was a little wooden in parts of his performance and I expected him to create more characters using his voice than he actually did. I especially wanted him to voice Nick Carraway differently, and at times I found myself wishing it was Tobey Maguire and picturing how he would narrate the story. Still, a very good listen.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sean Bird
- 02-27-20
I love this book, but Gyllenhaal is sleepy
While I do not think good readers have to necessarily alter their voice overmuch to tell a story well, Gyllenhaal barely gives any emotion in his reading. During the climactic argument in ch. 7 between Gatsby and Tom, Gyllenhaal makes the combatants almost sound almost bored. I mean, how do you say, "he looks as if he had killed a man" (p. 134) in such an offhand fashion.
To his credit, he does read at a great pace--neither too slow nor too fast--and he enunciates very clearly, making it very easy to listen in the car. I simply wish he didn't read in such a monotone.
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