With Luhrmann’s adaptation about to hit the silver screen, there’s no better time to revisit how others have retold Fitzgerald’s classic American tale. At once a novella about the power of hope and a prophetic story of the end of an era, the The Great Gatsby is still considered one of the best books in the canon of Western literature.
The book exploded off the page in Elevator Repair Service’s marathon retelling. A man in an office sits down, begins reading the book, and 8 hours later (a few intermissions and dinner break included) you emerge from the theatre having utterly steeped yourself in the text. All 180 pages of it.
Take a glimpse of the piece through the eyes of the narrator, Nick Carraway, as Gatsby’s lavish parties transform a dull office setting. The actor who plays Nick, Scott Shepherd, has memorized all 49,000 words of the text.
Thoughts on Theatre 
I just finally read the Great Gatsby last summer for the first time. I’m really curious to see how the film compares.
As am I! Love the look of the world the director’s created so far – so we’ll see how it goes.
Totally looking forward to the debut. This incredibly colorful book is one of my favorite American classics.
Fitz makes it an easy one to love. So much to continue to come back and revist.
I’ve seen the previews of this movie and am so intrigued by it, in spite of the fact that I am not a fan of the lead actor. I’ve never read the book — somehow, I managed to escape school without having to do it. I’ve often thought about picking it up and giving it a go, though.
It’s a swift one as far as novels go – if you do give it a go soon, let me know what you think!