The Glorious Gatsby: A Classic That Deserves Its Title

The Great Gatsby

Book review by Margaret

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Rating: 8.5/10

Date read: 19 June

The Great Gatsby was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925 and explores themes of love, class, past versus future, the American dream and dysfunctional relationships within the setting of the Jazz Age in New York. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, a bond salesman living in the fictional neighbourhood of West Egg on Long Island. His next-door neighbour is the infamous and enigmatic Gatsby: owner of riches, thrower of parties and inviter of speculation. Gatsby, Nick, Nick’s cousin Daisy Buchanan, her husband Tom, their friend Jordan Baker, the woman with whom Tom Buchanan is having an affair, Myrtle Wilson and her husband George all form the cast of characters in this rich, sultry and absorbing narrative.

This novel was much shorter than I expected, and I read all of it in a day. It was an enthralling story; not fast-paced or action-packed, but vivid and bold, overflowing with vibrant descriptions and intense imagery. Each character is filled with their own story and each setting seems to have its own history. Every shallow conversation, every protracted moment, every fleeting glance is felt as keenly by the reader as it is by the narrator. Although this is not a feel-good story, not a story of redemption or happily-ever-after, the sense of poignancy left upon the reader is entirely worth the read.

New Great Gatsby TV Series in the Works

Comments

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