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)

Should have paid attention in HS English Lit

This book is was luscious. I was an underachiever in HS, so it appears I shortchanged myself by skimming it instead of reading it when it was assigned in English Lit, but this book by F. Scott Fitzgerald delivers a lot in a neat little package and this novel is this American classic for good reason.

I enjoyed it very much. The narration was also very well done, with clear distinctions between various characters.

Awesome!

What did you love best about The Great Gatsby?

The storyline

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nick Caraway

Which scene was your favorite?

His description of the party.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

n/a

Any additional comments?

Jake Gylenhaal was great as a narrator. He brought the characters to life.

Unsure if I want to see the movie now.

Would you listen to The Great Gatsby again? Why?

Probably not. I wanted to reread the book before seeing the movie. And I do enjoy Jake Gyllenhaal as an actor however this is not a story that I would enjoy reading over and over again. I remember it from high school with a "Hollywood Ending" however it is far from that. The romantic in me was disappointed.

Jake Gyllenhaal's Narration Best Part

Read this book many years ago, but understood it more when listening to it. Great book.

Excellent classic. Dull narration.

I really enjoy Jake Gyllenhaal’s movies and I think he’s an excellent actor. I was surprised at how dull, bored, and inconsistent his narration was.

The book is a bona fide classic and if you haven’t read it, then this version is enjoyable and well worth the current price of ten bucks. I’m not going to review the book because it’s reputation and standing in culture says enough about that. So I’m just critiquing the narration, which was bland but fine.

Biggest nitpicks were Jake’s failure to capture some of the dialogue (he put the wrong emphasis in the wrong places at times) and he pronounced coupe (as in a non-convertible sedan) as “koo-pay” (Americans may have borrowed the word from a French term, but it’s still annoying to hear such a common word mispronounced).

With that being said, I still think this version is worth the current price.

Not a good reader!!

I have read The Great Gatsby more than once, however I found it very difficult to listen to Mr. Jake Gyllenhaal read this book!! I did not get more than an hour into listening, and could not take listening any longer. I HIGHLY recommend (as was recommended to me) to listen to the sample before adding a book to your library. Nothing against Mr. Gyllenhaal, as he is an accomplished actor. My preference would have been Sam Waterston, or Robert Redford as they both have played parts in The Great Gatsby and understand the undertones to the story.

A Strong Novel With A Stronger Message

This book was truly fantastic, and I have always enjoyed it as the very definition of a relatable period piece. My only dissatisfaction was that while the book was read clearly and with several accented character voices, it lacked the general emotion required in many scenes. There was a constant feeling of indifference that does not suit Carroway's narrations.

Great story but look elsewhere for an audiobook!

I love the story of The Great Gatsby but Jake Gyllenhaal did not do it justice. This was a re-read for me and even still I was alarmed how he glossed over the subtleties of this story. Lines with real weight to them we were caviler, and were this the first time anyone had heard this story they would likely miss the point altogether.

Gyllenhaal delivers a disappointing performance

I love the Great Gatsby and F. Scott Fitzgerald is among my favorite authors but I was very disappointed with Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance. Perhaps I was expecting something more along the lines of Toby McGuires reading in the movie version. I just never felt like Gyllenhaal was Nick; he read the lines but wasn’t the character.

Timeless Classic

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Always. I would recommend anything Gatsby to anyone.

What did you like best about this story?

I appreciate the timelessness of new money vs old money and the general battle between conservatives and progressives. These themes are timeless and provide readers an avenue to explore history, in the same way that Gatsby does, in hopes of changing our futures.

What three words best describe Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance?

Disappointing, average, and phonetical.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Great Gatsby: The life and times of an Isolated Lover

Any additional comments?

Would recommend.