The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Great Gatsby
Book Review: A Slice of Jazz Age Life and of Human Social Nature.
Summary: 4 Stars
F. Scott Fitzgerald had high hopes for "The Great Gatsby" when it was published in 1925 -that were dashed by a tepid reception. The novel didn't have much critical support until the 1940s. Perhaps, in its own age, it hit too close to home with too much venom. Perhaps the Roaring Twenties, when liquor and money flowed freely, are romanticized in retrospect, and the novel's prevalence of casual dialogue gets more respect now. H.L. Mencken called it a "glorified anecdote", and, indeed, that is how "The Great Gatsby" is presented. The narrator recalls an experience he had among friends a couple of years earlier. As a story, there isn't much to it. It is how characters perceive one another, how they wish to be perceived, and the simpler and indifferent reality that comment on an age, as well as on the immutable social nature of humans.
Nick Carraway, a man of prominent family who came East to do something vague with bonds, narrates the tale. Nick took a modest house on Long Island, next door to a magnificent mansion owned by Jay Gatsby, a man whom no one knows anything about, except that he throws magnificent parties with all manner of glamorous people in attendance, constantly, which people like just fine. Across the bay, Nick's second cousin Daisy Buchanan lives with her husband Tom, and it is at their home that Nick meets a professional golfer named Jordan Baker, whom he doesn't respect much but takes up with all the same. It is through a series of social gatherings that we get to know this group of people and that Nick eventually becomes friendly with his mysterious neighbor, Mr. Gatsby, who has plans to reclaim his long-lost love: Daisy Buchanan.
It struck me that the prose is not very literary for a pre-War novel. The story unfolds in scenes and through dialogue. But it has a merciful brevity that I associate with that era. The lack of extraneous detail and background earned my admiration. Fitzgerald focuses on the interactions of the characters and ignores what goes on in between. This is one slice of their lives, the bitter slice that Nick remembers. It's interesting that it is Gatsby who evokes the readers' sympathy, even though we know little about him and Nick disapproves, though holds a begrudging admiration, of him. Amid the hypocrisy, ambition, and shallowness of these Jazz Age bon vivants, Gatsby is confident is his ability to re-do the past. But when Nick concludes that "we beat on...borne back ceaselessly into the past", he speaks of himself as much as of Gatsby.
Book Review: A True Classic: Love Lost And Reinvention
Summary: 5 Stars
Somehow I missed having to read this in school, and perhaps that was a good thing. It seems that most times when books are assigned reading students are not always in a place where they can appreciate a novel. However, this true classic was one I could not put down! The language was brilliant and the characters well-developed and interesting.
The story basically revolves around Daisy and Jay Gatsby, two people who met when they were very young at the close of WWI and fell in love. Unfortunately, Gatsby did not have the wealth that Daisy required for marriage and she married Tom Buchannan, a man obscenely wealthy - and spoiled to boot! Gatsby, rejected and heartbroken, invents himself anew and aquires the fortune he feels he needs to win Daisy. But he never acknowledges that time moves on and people change - and Daisy wasn't the woman he thought she was.
None of the charcters in this book are very likeable, with the possible exception of the narrator. All are spoiled, rootless, careless, inconsiderate, and unconcerned with the consequences of their actions. Yet, all are tragic figures as well, and deeply unsettled.
Reading through this novel, it is hard not to imagine F. Scott Fitzgerald isn't writing about himself or people he knew. It is hard not to place Zelda in the role of Daisy. And this makes the characters come to life in a huge way. It is so easy to become swept up in this story, to be on Long Island that summer in 1922, to be at the parties at Gatsby's house. A beautiful, tragic, and certainly classic novel!
Book Review: A True Literary Gem
Summary: 4 Stars
The first time I read The Great Gatsby was for school and at first I was apprehensive about it. After completing a few chapters my worries were swayed and I realized that this book would become one of my favorites. The story follows Nick Carraway around New York and his interactions with the citizens of this pretentious society mainly Tom, Daisy, and Jay Gatsby. One aspect of what makes The Great Gatsby such an excellent and timeless novel is the character development. Gatsby's character is mainly developed through interactions with Nick and Nick's descriptions and opinions of him. Also, Fitzgerald's prose and syntax come off naturally and help the flow of the novel and the accessibility of it as a whole. The tale of unrequited love and the yearning to live in the past was very identifiable to me which in return made the novel overall more appealing. Upon rereading The Great Gatsby, this time purely for pleasure, the story and the characters overall felt more real and deeper. It seems that this is one of those novels that every time you read it again it gets better and better. I have now read The Great Gatsby about four or five times and it never loses its appeal or meaning through re-readings. Isn't that what a timeless novel should do? If that's the case, then The Great Gatsby is definitely a classic novel not only because it fits the formula, but also because it's full of superb writing and characters. It's the perfect novel for someone who is unhappy with their present state or someone who loves a person but they do not feel the same way, or if you just want a well developed story that will change the way you look at things. Overall it's an excellent story that everyone should read at some point because we all of the tendency to want to relive the past and can learn the pitfall of this from none other than Jay Gatsby himself.Book Review: A Warning To Foolish Stooges Every-Which-Where!
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes, Dear Readers, it is I, Professor Emeritus Johnstone, Professor Emeritus of American History. This is, I, Professor Emeritus Johnstone, believe a classic of my time. I remember reading this to my biddy those cold midwinter nights oh so long ago. We drank communion wine by the fire-pit and laughed at the foolish government agents as they tried to capture the nefarious rebel, Gatsby. Little did Gatsby know that shortly after, he would be exiled to Darkest India due to the evil government stooges. Alas, I, Professor Emeritus Johnstone, digress. All you young accidents who wish to major in that truly noble subject, American Literature, should read this amusing novel post-haste! The story is simple: Maibatsu (or Jay for short) Gatsby is a millionare-tyrant by day, fiendish anarchist by night. With the help of his dashing assistant/lover Daisy, they bring down the social and economic classes only to be foiled by the fiendish lout, Tom (Daisy's first husband) who is a two-timing secret agent. In the end (after a daring car chase) Gatsby and Daisy die in eachother's arms, ascending happily to Our Lord and Maker.
Hark! It is near noon-mass time!
Grouchily,
Professor Emeritus Percy Q. Johnstone
Professor Emeritus of American Literature
Darkest India
Book Review: A Wonderful Novel of the Decadence of the Twenties
Summary: 5 Stars
The Great Gatsby is a wonderful book for people ages 12 and up. It really captures life in the 1920's in a way that leaves you breathless. This book is not made for optimists; its ending is very depressing. This resolution, however, is needed in order for the reader to receive the full impact of what the author is trying to say. Fitzgerald does a remarkable job of using symbolism of many aspects of the book. It is the symbolism that really makes the book the great book it is. The only negative aspect of the book is the extensive vocabulary Fitzgerald uses in certain sections of the book. It is good to have juicy vocabulary in a novel, but the author just saturates his book with these vocabulary words. This takes away some of the interest in the reader, for they will spend some time pondering what the author was talking about. Overall, the Great Gatsby is a wonderful book for everyone to enjoy.