Thoughts 
The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald, Scribner 2004 (orig 1925), 180 pages, Audible 15.75 hours
WHY I read/listened to this: I am most excited to see Leo DiCaprio bring Gatsby to the big screen (latest schedule says MAY) and wanted to refresh the story in my mind before I see it. I both listened and read this; downloading the Tim Robbins’ narration per Softdrink’s recommendation and going to the library for the one with the gorgeous cover.
FIRST SENTENCE: In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.
So good.
I really enjoyed listening to Tim Robbins’ voice. Slow and sultry and hot. Like some of the scenes, actually. I never once sped up the narration. It was almost dreamy.
And then… I watched the 1974 film starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. 
LOVED! Although, I did think some of the camera closeups at scenery change were cheesy with overdramatic drama. With the story so fresh in my mind, I appreciated how very true the movie was to the book; dialogue and voice overs, especially. Sam Waterston as Nick Carraway was spot-on and I admit that I am fearing that Tobey Maguire won’t do the role justice. But I am willing to be surprised and impressed. I have no doubts that DiCaprio will nail it. 
And have been won over by the idea of Carey Mulligan as Daisy. (I am watching the BBC Bleak House miniseries now – she plays Ada and is such a fabulous actress, imo).
Honestly, I thought I had read this in High School but now I’m questioning that. I really wish I had a list of all the books I really read in High School but alas, I do not. I did a better job of tracking movies I saw but have little in the way of what books I read and I read ALL THE TIME back then.
Please click over to Roof Beam Reader for a FABULOUS critical analysis of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
Highly recommended: Five slices of Mint Julep Pie with Caramel-Bourbon Sauce – sounds decadent, yes?
HIdeinWhitetoSkipLine
I read this in high school. I remember loving it but now I wonder if I really understood it.
Lots of stuff going on, so if you liked it, you must have gotten something meaningful out of it?
Tim Robbins! Hmm, I wasn’t going to reread this until after the movie, but I might have to be going to the library between now and then just to check the audiobooks for him reading The Great Gatsby!
Yep, Tim Robbins.
I know I read this in high school but I don’t remember any of it (like most of the other books I read in high school). This one is sitting on my nightstand. I just finished a book, so maybe I’ll start it tonight. Glad you enjoyed it.
I hope you like it. I knew the story but the unfolding and the language were a delight.
I am also excited about Leo bringing Gatsby to screen. I haven’t read the book yet, but I plan to soon.
I disliked Leo so much after Titanic but am coming around to his talent once again.
I don’t want to add any pressure, but I hope you like Cloud Atlas.
I posted about the Gatsby movie when it was supposed to come out on Christmas Day. And now it says May. I hope it actually does come out in May because it looks really good. I too, reread the book recently and enjoyed it much more than when I read it some years back.
As Roof Beam Reader suggests, it only gets better on rereads.
I’m thinking of rereading this because I read it in high school and I’m SURE I didn’t really get it. I’m excited about the movie too … though I hate that Tobey Maguire is in it. He is such a bad actor in my opinion.
I don’t like his voice. I don’t think I would enjoy if he was ever an audiobook narrator. Just sayin’.
I don’t remember if I ever finished this. Maybe I should reread it before seeing the movie, so I don’t spend the whole movie wondering if I know what’s going to happen next?
Come on! It’s not even 200 pages! I grant you, they are packed with drama or … something weighty. I recommend the audio. Do you audio?
I listened to this forever ago but I don’t remember it being Tim Robbins! I’m sure Leo will nail it too.
ha! He was the reason I considered the audio version and I was not disappointed.
Tim Robbins, yes! Oh yes.
Mmmmm mint. I might see if Scott is interested in this one. After he saw the preview he expressed interest in the book and he hasn’t been listening to anything since finishing 11/22/63 (for some reason I can’t talk him into The Stand). For now I’ll just continue to think of minnnnnnnnnnnnnnnt. mmmmmmm.
I really need to give The Great Gatsby another go. I’ve tried getting into it a couple times. No luck. Same with the movie. I found it terribly slow, although it might have just been that it was late and I was too tired for an older movie.
Sure, it is not a fast action-packed story but it packs a whallop – how do you spell that wollap? no… Yep, it IS WALLOP. Maybe you should listen to this one or wait until you are ready for a slow pace.
I am expecting Tobey Maguire to be rubbish but on the other hand, Carey Mulligan is beautiful and awesome. So I have a net looking-forward-to-it feeling about the upcoming film. I truly truly love this book.
That math woks for me.
Yes! This was an excellent, excellent audio! (Although I also don’t know for sure who the narrator was, but it was within the last couple of years that I listened, so I’m guessing it was the same as yours.)
It has been years since I read this one and I think a reread via audio might be perfect before the film comes out! I really liked Mulligan as Ada too!