The exemplary novel of the Jazz Age, F. Scott Fitzgeralds’ third book, The Great Gatsby (1925), stands as the supreme achievement of his career. T. S. Eliot read it three times and saw it as the “first step” American fiction had taken since Henry James; H. L. Mencken praised “the charm and beauty of the writing,” as well as Fitzgerald’s sharp social sense; and Thomas Wolfe hailed it as … Fitzgerald’s “best work” thus far. 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 remarked, “gin was the national drink and sex the national obsession,” it is an exquisitely crafted tale of America in the 1920s that resonates with the power of myth. A novel of lyrical beauty yet brutal realism, of magic, romance, and mysticism, The Great Gatsby is one of the great classics of twentieth-century literature.
more
Brilliant, a classic rendering of America the era and not totally limited a characterization of the Jazz Age. Everyone should read The Great Gatsby!
It isn’t that the novel doesn’t rate 5 stars for writing- because it does- but it isn’t 5 stars rated on my personal scale. Sometimes difficult to get through, it is a true classic. What Classic after all does not have parts that are slow or difficult to get through?
I didn’t enjoy as much as I thought I would. Slow story at times. Somewhat interesting at times.
What can you say about an all time classic that was just art of the 100 most loved books in America? As a former English teacher, I can lecture for hours about all of the aspects of Gatsby, but instead I am recommending that you read it, then read it again and again. Each reading will peel away a layer of understanding of the story and …
A still-relevant view of American/materialistic society–perhaps more relevant with passing years in this new century.
Boring
One of my very favorite novels of all time. I reread it periodically…..the characters will haunt you.
Another classic and a must read
Who doesn’t love this classic.
Best book
Classic American novel.
My absolute favorite from school, I still go back to it year after year.
This is a classic that I have wanted to read for years. It always has high review ratings. I wanted to like it so much, but I couldn’t get past the first 50 pages. I just couldn’t get into any flow with Fitzgerald’s writing. I didn’t like it at all.
Interesting to read about the gay twenties.
A classic a page turner ,care for the characters.
What can I say? One of the greatest books of all time! Haunting in the telling of humans and their failures as well as their successes!
I wasn’t a big fan.
Sad
Not one of my favorite classics. Full of angst and whining, people always wanting more than they have or different than they have, full of first-world problems. The imagery is good; it is set in the roaring 20’s, and you really get a good visual from the story, but the story itself was just not my cuppa tea.
The Great Gatsby is one of the best American novels of all time according to various websites and scholars and after witnessing it myself I can fully agree. The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, a war veteran who decides to join the exciting world of bonds. He leaves everything behind in St. Paul and moves to New York, staying in a small little …