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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A classic. No review necessary.
The Great Gatsby is the American standard for writing in the 20th century. Beautifully written, the story details Gatsby’s search for love among the ruins of a society grown too farcical to support such heady feellings.
F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of my favorite authors of all time.
I’ve read and reread this book dozens of times, it’s a masterpiece and a Great description of the jazz age of the ’20’s. It gets America’s class system and the desire for being part of the “elite”. Jay Gatsby is a man who came from nothing does all he can to win back the woman of this dreams of whom felt he could never give her what she needed, …
Some books that I had to read in high school that I hated, I really missed the point and missed out on a great book. Some books that I had to read in high school and hated; well, my first impressions weren’t inaccurate. The Great Gatsby falls into the latter category. While Fitzgerald’s writing is absolutely lyrical, this story is just incredibly …
One of the few books that I read again and again and always find something new.
A true classic in every sense….
One of the best novels ever.
I was disappointed after hearing how wonderful this book was. I was actually bored with lots of it
Beautifully realized characters, stunning writing
I read this to my husband one particularly bad winter to pass the time indoors. He love the book.
Always in my top5
Come on! It’s the Great Gatsby.
Loved the imagery of the fabulously wealthy. Money can’t buy happiness!
A showy glittery life at the top as seen by an upper middle class young man (and author). His head was turned by the glitter as they wished for the upper class life.
Underrated for too long. A tutorial in fine writing.
Classic. They don’t write books like this anymore
This is a classic and should require no review. It is painful because it shows the darker, callous side of humans.
EVERYONE loves this book but me. I thought it was over the top. I know it’s a classic but I didn’t like the characters or the excess.
The American Dream in 180 pages. Still the best novel ever written in America.