The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Collier Books Edition, 1986
Link to Book: Amazon
Rating: 
Date Reviewed: Aug 2006
Reviewed By: Super
Comments: This book is one of those that you're supposed to like. It is, after all, one of the Great American Novels that English teachers the world over espouse as being "one of the greats". I thought it was okay. Whenever anyone who likes this book speaks of it, they invariably speak to these points:
- Prose Style: I didn't care for the flowery descriptive prose that Fitzgerald overuses (perhaps at the time of publication it was such a new way of writing, but today it's just a few shades shy of purple prose). Fitzgerald narrative style reminds me of the minimalists, but with with more words. But, to be fair, Fitzgerald's prose is of a higher quality than some (it has been described as lyrical and I'll agree with that), and one of the reasons the novel has endured. Note to budding authors: stay away from Fitzgerald's descriptive style!
- Setting: Every time someone drones on about what a good book this is, they always say something about how Fitzgerald captured the essence of the time period the book is set in (the "Jazz Age"). I'll concede that point, but so what? What's more important to me is the socio-economic divide that Fitzgerald describes, and that is timeless.
- The Love Story: Now here is the best part of the book, but only in the tragedy that is Gatsby's and Daisy's feelings for each other; Tom's feelings for Daisy; and Wilson's for his wife. The tragedy is on a grand scale, yet so simple, and is the emotional center of the book. If the book didn't have this, you just end up with a prettily written portrait of the time period.
Despite my lackadaisical appreciation for the novel, I have a feeling if I were to read this again in a few years I might appreciate it more.
Rating: 
Date Reviewed: Aug 2006
Reviewed By: Foo
Comments: Well, I liked it better than that. I agree that some parts of the book are a bit thin (like I'm a critic of great literature), but I found the main character mesmerizing. Here is a very enigmatic man trying to woo the love of his life, a woman he's been smitten with since they were young adults just before WWI. It is now 1922 and he has returned from the war, a hero (or is that just another myth), and he tries to woo his love by purchasing the Long Island estate next door and living a lavish life style -- HUGE parties every night -- in hopes of getting her to notice him once again. Problem is, she's already married.
Gatsby has created this larger than life myth of himself out of absolutely no substance. His money is ill-gotten, his exotic life is just smoke and mirrors to hide the hollow shell that he really is. But, hidden deep within him is an amazingly powerful, mis-directed love for a woman who can never appreciate it.
In hindsight, I enjoyed it much more than I thought. You should read it.
P.S. It's not very long -- a quick read.