The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Published: 1925
Genres: Adult Fiction, Classic
Format: eBook (180 pages)
Source: Purchased
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s third book, stands as the supreme achievement of his career. This exemplary novel of the Jazz Age has been acclaimed by generations of readers. The story of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, of lavish parties on Long Island at a time when The New York Times noted “gin was the national drink and sex the national obsession,” it is an exquisitely crafted tale of America in the 1920s.
I don’t know how I made it through high school without reading this classic, but I’m so glad I get to come back to books like this and read them as an adult. I’m sure I would have learned stuff in high school, but I feel like I’m getting more appreciation out of books like this as I get older.
The only thing I knew about The Great Gatsby before I started reading was that it was a shallow love story that ends with the girl dumping the poor, innocent guy….or something. And yes that is the plot, but I think the story can also be about the American dream and who it’s really available to. What is the American dream? Is it just getting money and it doesn’t matter how? Did we really get away from social inequality? I hadn’t really thought about any of that before reading this book. It made me wonder what my American dream is. Do I just want to get lots of money, a big house, and tons of stuff? Or is there more to it than that? Without spoiling the end, I feel like Mr. Fitzgerald’s opinion on the matter is that some people are born to live the American dream and some aren’t – and there isn’t much you can do to change it. The fate of Daisy and Gatsby really brings that tragic idea home.
The parties were unreal. I was drooling over the mention of all the food. I couldn’t help but imagine the Dowager Countess from Downton Abbey coming to Gatsby’s house and being appalled at what Americans called “a dinner party.” My mind was buzzing with all the practical details and sheer amount of money that it would take to feed two dinners and tons of alcohol to that many people… But the parties and glamour are just covering up the fact that most of these people are shady, immoral, hypocritical and just plain unhappy. Especially Tom and his wife Daisy.
I loved the writing. It was simple, charming, and witty – an interesting contrast to the much deeper story going on. The last line about how we can’t escape from the past points out that even though as Americans we say that anyone can achieve wealth, happiness and equality, the truth is we keep getting sucked into the rules of the past.
The only thing I thought was overdone was the symbolic Eye Doctor bilboard in the ash valley. Don’t let the symbolic Eye Doctor Ad/God’s Judgement fall on you on the way out.
Overall, a novel that got me really thinking about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in the context of a beautiful, tragic, and romantic story.
Content Rating: None.
About F. Scott Fitzgerald
Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald was an American writer of novels and short stories, whose works have been seen as evocative of the Jazz Age, a term he himself allegedly coined. He is regarded as one of the greatest twentieth century writers. Fitzgerald was of the self-styled "Lost Generation," Americans born in the 1890s who came of age during World War I. He finished four novels, left a fifth unfinished, and wrote dozens of short stories that treat themes of youth, despair, and age. He was married to Zelda Fitzgerald.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
My name is Jessica. I love to read Young Adult and classic literature. I’ve been a book blogger for six years and I haven’t gotten tired of it yet. I’m a very curious reader. Writing about all the questions and thoughts I had while reading a book is the best hobby ever.
Great review! I read this book a week ago and fell in love with the writing. The Great Gatsby has so many themes, it’s a lot more than just a love story, although it can be read as such
When it comes to classics, it tend to watch the movies first then read the book because older books tend to be slower and harder to follow. In this case, I wish that I had read the book first. I loved the movie and the messages within it. To me it was about Gatsby’s pursuit to give the woman he loves everything she wanted. Ultimately, he gives EVERYTHING to her and she uses that to her advantage. Now I can’t wait to read it!
That’s a good idea with classics – they confuse me sometimes too. Honestly I could not figure out Lord of the Rings until I had watched the movie. The movie helped me keep all the places and names straight.
That’s a interesting way to see it. I like that. It shows how we can have everything given to us and it still isn’t enough.
I just watched the movie, enjoyed! I will now read the book. Too bad these old mansions went to ruins.
Ahhhh, one of my all-time favorites. The writing is enviable to a wannabe like myself. Enjoyed your insights!