F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tears & Laughter

The Great Gatsby & 6 Contrasting Stories

By: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Narrated by: Chet Williamson

Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Ever since the suspense and horror writer Chet Williamson read The Great Gatsby in his youth, it has been his favorite novel. Indeed, he considers it The Great American Novel, and, in this new collection of F. Scott Fitzgerald's work, he presents the original first edition text along with six hilarious stories that show the lighter side of the writer's work, and reveal why Fitzgerald was one of the most popular authors of the Roaring Twenties, and remains so today.

From the deep tragedy of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan to the hilarity of "The Pusher-In-the-Face", this collection is filled with both tears and laughter in the finest literary tradition, accompanied by Williamson's very personal introduction to the writer and the novel that have meant so much to him throughout his life. Gatsby demands to be read and reread, and Williamson is an enthusiastic guide to this classic and accessible work, with the short stories being the sweet treats of dessert to follow the epicurean feast that is Gatsby.

So become "borne back ceaselessly into the past" with F. Scott Fitzgerald, and his equally sparkling tears and laughter.

©2021 Chet Williamson (P)2021 David N. Wilson

Just WOW!

In the preface of this narration, Chet Williamson notes that The Great Gatsby is one of his favorite novels and it shows! His rich baritone voice and obvious fondness for the characters comes through in every word. His ability to set a scene and then to make it come alive to our ears is a joy. But….the real “Wow” factor in this F. Scott Fitzgerald collection comes through with the 6 short stories that follow Gatsby. Mr. Williamson’s knack for giving words life is a gift, and the tone changes with each tale. His rendering of each offering creates a unique journey for the listeners as they take in the often hilarious plots and subplots. A must listen.

Gatsby is magnificent

A perfect narration! Chet Williamson brings a new vibrancy and pathos to this beloved work. The vocal cadences are subtle enough to differentiate without distracting. As for the other tales, they are a delightful sample of the lows F. Scott Fitzgerald could plumb in the name of humour. Some funny, some groany but all rather bizarre when juxtaposed with the MASTERPIECE.

This is the Gatsby you want!

“Why another Gatsby?” Chet Williamson asks in his introduction, noting that ebooks and audiobooks of Gatsby are now as plentiful as the wine bottles that littered Gatsby’s lawn the day after one of his lavish parties. Williamson briefly outlines his many experiences with film & theater adaptations of Fitzgerald’s most popular work. Perhaps it is these experiences—coupled with Williamson’s long appreciation of the novel—that make this reading of Gatsby feel fresh and surprising again.

An excellent narration requires a delicate balance between infusing the text with meaning and character and also—almost paradoxically—getting out of the listener’s way. Williamson manages this superbly.

You also don’t want to miss the short stories in this edition. They are wildly entertaining and are worth the purchase alone!