Published: 1925
What They Say: In 1922, F. Scott Fitzgerald announced his decision to write "something new--something extraordinary and beautiful and simple and intricately patterned." That extraordinary, beautiful, intricately patterned, and above all, simple novel became The Great Gatsby, arguably Fitzgerald's finest work and certainly the book for which he is best known. A portrait of the Jazz Age in all of its decadence and excess, Gatsby captured the spirit of the author's generation and earned itself a permanent place in American mythology. Self-made, self-invented millionaire Jay Gatsby embodies some of Fitzgerald's--and his country's--most abiding obsessions: money, ambition, greed, and the promise of new beginnings. "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... And one fine morning--" Gatsby's rise to glory and eventual fall from grace becomes a kind of cautionary tale about the American Dream.
What Elaine Says: This is one of my all time favourite novels and thanks to our lovely reviewer Sheli, I had a glorious new edition for Christmas.
I've read this novel countless times and it really is a masterpiece. It's been described as 'the perfect novel' and while that is definitely debatable, it remains a piece of fiction to be admired.
Fitzgerald's writing is simplistic yet incredibly evocative. Every word in this, very brief, novel has been chosen to develop the story as succinctly as possible, yet it remains a beautiful and damning portrait of the American dream during the decadence of the 1920s.
A masterpiece of storytelling, The Great Gatsby is not to be missed.
Elaine's Rating: 10/10
Quotes:
“Ah," she cried, "you look so cool."
Their eyes met, and they stared together at each other, alone in space. With an effort she glanced down at the table.
You always look so cool," she repeated.
She had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw.”
Their eyes met, and they stared together at each other, alone in space. With an effort she glanced down at the table.
You always look so cool," she repeated.
She had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw.”
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