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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Great classic novel.
An American Classic, I think everyone should be familiar with.
My favorite book –I just open anywhere and am brought back to East Egg
and Jay’s yearning for a person and life he shouldn’t want and will never get.
The BEST!!!!
I don’t understand the hype.
It’s been a long time since I’ve I think it was 1965 when I was a senior in high school. It is a pretty terrific book.
What can I say? The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite books of all time. Call me a cynic, but Fitzgerald has nailed down some of the worst (and very common) sides of humanity through his unforgettable characters. If you’re looking for a happy ending, this is not your book. If you’re looking for a haunting take on the human condition that will …
What can I say about a classic that has not yet been said? Great book to read.
Here’s the book that should be read by every novelist who is preparing to throw their hero under the bus and reframe the whole book to focus on the sidekick — because that’s what almost happened to Gatsby. Fitzgerald almost gave up on him as a main character and nearly threw him over for Tom Buchanan. And isn’t it interesting that (spoiler …
This novel is one of the greatest of American novels. Fitzgerald is a master of symbolism and colorful, descriptive language. His characters are skillfully crafted.
One of the best books ever written!
One of my all time favorites.
I absolutely loved this book. I loved the plot and would recommend this book to any high schooler/college student. It really left you shook on how the ending turned out.
THE STYLIZED WORDING OF THIS BOOK MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT IF YOU LIVED IN THAT ERA.
1. WOULD YOU LIKE IT?
2. WOULD YOU STAY?
INCREDIBLY GOOD BOOK
The Great Gatsby is an essential commentary of the Jazz age – the gaudiest era in American history; the Roaring Twenties. Fitzgerald portrayed America as it was losing its moral compass in a post world war race to materialism besotted with a rapacious lifestyle. This is a story about the lavish excesses meant to serve every little whim of the rich …
Classic..need to read more like this.
Are you kidding? This is one of the few American classics. Gorgeous writing. Unbelivable narrator keeps you guessing.
Don’t you have to . . .
One of the best-written novels of the last century.
An American classic. Sad and beautiful.