The Great Gatsby / F. Scott Fitzgerald / 218 pages / Dead Author Challenge

This audio edition of a great American classic was authorized by the Fitzgerald estate and rendered by Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain).  As the narrator, Nick Carraway, Gyllenhaal's mellifluous voice introduces us to the Great Gatsby, his lavish parties, his wealthy lifestyle, and his love of Daisy, a married lady with a none-too-faithful husband.  Gatsby believes that he and Daisy are meant to be together and enlists Nick's help to accomplish fate's design.  The love connections cause a most unfortunate accident which results in an unjustifiable homicide.  This tale of the Roaring 20's has much to say to 21st century America about love, relationships, honor, faithfulness, friendship, the drive to attain wealth/happiness, and the unpredictability of fate.