The Great Gatsby

By: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Narrated by: Anthony Heald

Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Public Domain (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc

Critic reviews

"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)

good, not what I expected

This is such an iconic part of our literature and culture that I felt it was time to get to it. It was some of what I expected and some that I did not. It seems to be just a book about spoiled rich people, but it is more than that. It is about deception and loss as well.

I'm leaving this shortest of short reviews. It is worth reading and I can see why some people love it

Great Audiobook, Only Just Appreciated It

What made the experience of listening to The Great Gatsby the most enjoyable?

Well, I was on a roadtrip from L.A. to my home in Northern California and listened to the whole book through. I think being stuck with one story allowed me to follow every thread and subtlety the story had without missing much. The performance was also spot on.

What did you like best about this story?

The criticisms that the author had of that time, and the attitudes many of the characters possessed, is still relevant and valid today. It really strikes you that we are still very much a culture of those elite, and those who wish they were there.

What about Anthony Heald’s performance did you like?

His voice did a good job conveying the right emotion at the right time without seeming forced.

Any additional comments?

I hated this book when I was required to read it in high school. I think its because I couldn't relate to the characters at the time, and never have the story much time. It benefits from being able to listen to or read it in long stretches.

Engaging

Would you listen to The Great Gatsby again? Why?

I loved it because the narrator was engaging and fun to listen to. There was a lot of emotion in the reading.

Who was your favorite character and why?

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.

Have you listened to any of Anthony Heald’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no I have not.

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

I wish I had the time I would have definitely listened to the entire book in one sitting.

Intoxicating and relaxing!

This was a very great listen and such a relaxing story! The narrator's voice was perfect for the story!

Excellent Audiobook

This audiobook exceeded my expectations. Anthony Heald did a fantastic job narrating and really brought to life Fitzgerald's magnificent prose.

It's Gatsby, by god!

Writing a review about an iconic classic like The Great Gatsby seems a little silly. You probably know it, and if you don't you should. Perhaps a little overrated, but still a great story.

The recording and narrator are fine. If you are looking at a more expensive version, as I was, you won't be disappointed in this cheaper one, I promise. Save a bit of money and go with this one.

A Great, Manageable, Classic

Would you consider the audio edition of The Great Gatsby to be better than the print version?

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.

What other book might you compare The Great Gatsby to and why?

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.

Which character – as performed by Anthony Heald – was your favorite?

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.

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

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.

Any additional comments?

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.

There's a reason it's a classic

What did you love best about The Great Gatsby?

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.

What did you like best about this story?

Fitzgerald knows how to spin a story that keeps the reader engaged and feeling through the whole experience.

What three words best describe Anthony Heald’s performance?

concise, clear, flat

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

"Secrets and misunderstandings sometimes shape our lives, and sometimes end it"

An easy listen in one day

Unlike my countless peers, I'd never read this book in high school, but saw that the movie version was coming out around xmas. So I decided to give it a read (or listen.) Needless to say I wasn't disappointed. As a person who appreciates great writing and descriptions of scenes or feelings, I absolutely loved this book. While I'm sometimes skeptical of classics, there is no doubt that I will not forget this one. The narrator was perfect, and in the world of audio books, a narrator can ruin a book if read in an incorrect tone. Overall, I'd recommend it to anyone looking to fulfill their classic book fix.

A great story of careless people.

Still better when read but a solid performance and well worth the time to download and enjoy.