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. Read it for book club.
Gatsy is one of the world’s most scurrilous villains but Nick doesn’t see it. Neither does Fitzgerald who wastes his amazing literary talents trying to make Gatsby romantically sympathetic. He deserved the bullet he got in the back.
Extremely overrated! Far too detailed. Characters were distant, one dimensional, and hard to care about.
This is an important book, but on the whole, it is boring.
It is the great American book of the early 20th century
An American classic. Read this in college and a couple of times since. Fitzgerald had a way of weaving his own life into the stories he told and what a life it was.
A classic everyone should read
Such a realistic read and historically informing from a person’s point of view of the times.
A must read! Incredible characters
The Great American Novel.
A classic that everyone should read. It gives one a feel for life in the 1920s.
A true classic.
I really enjoyed this book. The mystery kept me on the edge of my seat. I liked the twists and turns.
Good writing, but the characters are all so selfish. I love books with relatable people…
There is a reason Fitzgerald is considered one of the classical writers in American literature. This book is a prime example of his genius. Recommended reading for everyone.
Over-rated.
I just couldn’t get into the subject
I don’t know why this is such a classic… it is painful on so m at Levels.
Gatsby is one of my favorite books. I read it in high school and college. A few years ago, I picked it up again and I was captivated by the beautiful writing. Fitzgerald is a master with words and creating mood through his word choice. From a technical perspective alone, this book is a masterpiece. Luckily, the story is also worth the time.
Tragic love story. Classic. One of the few… (dare I say?) where the movie rivals the description of grandeur of the time?