The Jungle: A Signature Performance by Casey Affleck

By: Upton Sinclair

Narrated by: Casey Affleck

Upton Sinclair's The Jungle is a visceral and tragic story of immigrants trying to scratch out a living in the meatpacking plants of Chicago. The resulting public outcry led directly to the US government enacting changes in food and workplace safety practices still in place today.

With food production, business ethics, and immigration back in the news, Academy Award nominee Casey Affleck (Gone Baby Gone) taps into the emotion behind these issues to breathe life back into the struggling inhabitants of Packingtown. Affleck, a committed vegan and animal rights spokesman, delivers a moving performance that connects with the book’s enduring legacy.

The Jungle revolves around the life and family of Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant whose dreams of a better life are crushed by punishing work in gruesome stockyards and an unforgiving city. Brilliantly written and vividly described, it provides a poignant and incredibly detailed snapshot of a striking point in American history.

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Great book awful narration

Great story, but much better read off a page then to listen to Casey Affleck. I could barely stand to listen to his whiney teenager sounding voice. Glad I got this on sale because it is still not worth what I paid. If another version is released it should be given for free to all who bought this one.

might be the saddest story ive ever heard

it took a few chapters to get used to Casey's style of narration. it grew on me eventually. the story is so incredibly sad. tragic is an understatement.

Excellent!

Somehow I have never read this book. I was amazed! Casey Affleck did a terrific job reading it.

Extraordinary!....except for Affleck

The book is so powerful that it left me breathless despite the poor narration. I have no idea how I missed reading this earlier in my life. I am so disappointed with so much of current writing I browse classics constantly looking for what I have missed and yet believe has stood the test of time. If you are doing the same, you've hit a home run in listening to Sinclair. Take a few minutes first and check out a few other narrations. Then join me at a meeting of local Socialists.

American socialism in context

Riveting story in a larger socio-political backdrop that Tea Party fans should listen to at some point.

That said, I did not like Affleck's narration too much. His tone is almost dis-interested at the beginning, with a lazy pronunciation of sorts. However, it somehow gets better (or I just got used to him) later on and the distraction is not enough to ultimately get in the way of this classic.