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.
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Classically tragic. I could read this every few years just to get into this world
A must read classic.
I read this decades ago. It has special meaning primarily due to reminding me of a very dear friend of long ago. So if B is reading this, you are still thought of fondly.
Another great classic.
No one writes like this anymore, such a shame!
On my 10th grade reading list years ago. I decided to revisit it with my adult understanding. Still a sad story of wasted lives.
This is simply the most beautifully written boook I’ve ever read.
A real classic, and for all the right reasons!
this book has a lot of symbolism, it is very interesting and just a great story! I love this book! the movie is good as well.
No wonder it is a classic!
so complex. needed to read it twice to get more out of it. fantastic book
A must-read for any American’s social IQ. I love the language. Nick’s snarky jabs at the snobbish upper class is worth the price of admission.
An American classic novel. Every serious literary person should read it.
A classic.
The great American novel, bar none
A classic. No better writing anywhere.
Just wow! Goes far beyond the times in which it was written and the people portrayed and depicts income inequality and shallowness of the pursuit of pleasure and popularity.
I don’t get what all the hype is about this book. Maybe people really are that shallow, but I don’t want to read about them.
Read this in one night and felt so much sadness for every character
I love the era this book was set in. The writing was superb and the characters very well written.