Week 51 - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

[Jenny]

It seems to me that this one won't need much introduction: Week 51 brings us The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

from the article:

"The Great Gatsby is the American novel on this list that remains, after many readings, one of my all-time favourites, an unquiet masterpiece whose mystery never fails to exert its power. This is perhaps because, as Fitzgerald himself wrote, he is exploring the geography of regret. In a letter to a friend, he said: "That's the whole burden of the novel – the loss of those illusions that give such colour to the world that you don't care whether things are true or false so long as they partake of the magical glory."

read the whole article here

[Greg]

I love this book!

[Eric]

I read tbis book yrs ago old sport lol

[Bionic Jean]

Maybe time for a reread Eric? Books often seem very different to me, when I read them again at different ages.

[LauraT]

I've read it in school, for UNiversity and reread it a cuople of years ago. Liked it, but can't say it's one of my favourite

[Alannah]

I am glad this novel is on this list, I first read it during my A-levels and I loved it. This was the first novel in which I got so much out of it by myself and not through the help of a teacher.

[Alannah]

If anyone is planning a readalong, please let me know?

[Angela M]

This is my all time favorite novel. I won't be reading it again at this point, since I have read it multiple times. I know that I won't be able to help myself and I will probably want jump in here if that's okay once you start the discussion.

[Greg]

I've read it four times myself Angela - once in high school, once in college, and twice as an adult for pleasure. The language is so beautiful! There's a few parts of the book with such lovely writing that during reading it, I'll often go backwards and re-read the same section again and again, for pure pleasure.

[Angela M]

Greg , it's the same for me . The language is perfect ! I love the opening and ending passages . I'm not sure how many times I've read it but I would say at least five times .

[Renato]

I've only read it once, a couple of months ago. For some reason, I wasn't expecting much and ended up really loving it. I was amazed that such a short book would carry such an interesting and compelling story. The language is very beautiful, as you guys already mentioned.

[Noel]

I feel like I am the only person in the world who didn't like this book... I thought the writing was very nice, but not enough to make up for the fact that I didn't care about any of the characters. Anyone else feel similarly?

[Amber]

Had to read this in high school and did not like it at all.

[[deleted user]]

I like this one but think it deserves more of my time in a re-read at some point. I want to watch the film (old version!)

[Diane S ☔]

Have started So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came to Be and Why It Endures, and it fits right in.

[Angela M]

Diane , I'm looking forward to reading this one .

[[deleted user]]

Sorry about the double post, on my phone. Will sort it out tomorrow!

[Jenny]

Got rid of it for you Heather!

[Book Ninja]

Shannon Noel wrote: "I feel like I am the only person in the world who didn't like this book... I thought the writing was very nice, but not enough to make up for the fact that I didn't care about any of the characters..."

Hey Shannon I am with you on this book! The exact same feelings. After reading this book I read a non-fiction book Careless People: Murder, Mayhem and the Invention of The Great Gatsby about The Great Gatsby. That book talked about what was happening in US and also what was happening in the author's life during the time he was writing the great gatsby. I found the non-fiction more interesting than the novel!

[Evelyn]

Alannah wrote: "If anyone is planning a readalong, please let me know?"

I would also be interested in a readalong!

[Everyman]

Amber wrote: "Had to read this in high school and did not like it at all."

I read it much later than high school, but though it was way over-rated. Okay, but no better than that. But then, I don't much care for psychological novels.

[Noel]

Rahat wrote: "Hey Shannon I am with you on this book! The exact same feelings. After reading this book I read a non-fiction book Careless People: Murder, Mayhem and the Invention of The Great Gatsby"

Huh, that sounds interesting. Learn anything particularly intriguing or startling?

[Noel]

I'd love to hear what other people love about this book. I've heard lots of people say they love it but I've never heard anyone actually talk about why. I'm very much interested in understanding. Maybe someone could point out things I missed or didn't appreciate. :)

[Leslie]

LauraT wrote: "I've read it in school, for UNiversity and reread it a cuople of years ago. Liked it, but can't say it's one of my favourite"

Yes, once again Laura & I are in agreement!

[Angela M]

Shannon Noel wrote: "I'd love to hear what other people love about this book. I've heard lots of people say they love it but I've never heard anyone actually talk about why. I'm very much interested in understanding. M..."


There are many reasons why I love this book and I'll try to tell you about some of them. First of all, the writing, the language is in my opinion just a beautiful thing. Every time I read it, I am more and more taken by the tone, by the descriptions. The first few pages where Nick describes his feelings for Gatsby and the ending - I can read those over and over again and marvel at what Fitzgerald has done.

I love that this is a story about the American dream. Gatsby, wasn't always Gatsby. He was born Jay Gatz, from a not well to do family and even as a child had aspirations of wanting a better life. One of the most poignant scenes in the novel is when Gatsby's father shows Nick the book Hop-a-long Cassidy where Gatsby had written a list of things to do.

Gatsby's flaw is that he wants to change the past and we know that is not possible, but again in my view, what a wonderful thing to want to . There are numerous theories about what Gatsby's line of work is, and it is obvious in the novel that it is most likely not legitimate. For me this is the ultimate love story. Gatsby loved Daisy so much or his idea of Daisy , since she really is not what he wants her to be. He will do anything, whatever it took to get Daisy to love him again- the scene where he shows Daisy all of his expensive shirts is also a touching one. He ultimately gives everything for her because he truly believed that he could change the past and have her.

I don't know what else to say except that its just a story that never stops grabbing me. I would add what we all really know - that not all books or genres are for all people. For example, mystery, crime, thriller, sci-fi, vampires, paranormal are just not for me, yet others love them. So I get it that others don't get Gatsby in the same way that I do. It's just always going to be my favorite novel

[Diane S ☔]

The book I mentioned above shares your enthusiasm and many of your sentiments, Angela. I am barely out of the prologue and she has me wanting to re-read Gatsby. Which I probably will. Every time one reads this novel, something new is garnered.

[Angela M]

Diane ,
I have it on my to read list - thanks .

[Angela M]

I should add that the novel is about a lot more than what I mentioned in a previous post . I just wanted to tell some of the reasons I love it . I realize that there are people here who are doing a read along so didn't want to be a spoiler .

[Noel]

Thanks for your answer, Angela! I really like what you saw in it and I understand more now the appeal of it. Even though I didn't see it at the time I definitely get where you're coming from.

[[deleted user]]

I read this one recently, before the new movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio came out. I found the novel engaging, but not "unputdownable." It is one of the very few adaptations in which I will say I prefer the film version to the literary version.