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'Gatsby' worst American book ever?
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Strikes me as people who can't write but dream of it becoming bitter critics!
'When I read what I consider to be a bad book, I notice that it is usually written by an arrogant person.'Incredibly ironic, isn't it? As if the person who wrote that sentence isn't a pompous ass herself. And that goes double for any so-called journalist who writes those "Top 12 Essential Authors"-type articles. It's all piffle written for the kind of person who is very anxious to decorate their houses with books that make them look well-read.
Everyone knows that Moby Dick is the worst American novel ever.
Really?
::crossing Moby Dick off to-read shelf::
::crossing Moby Dick off to-read shelf::
You see? It's all just some random idiot's personal opinion. By all means read the Dick, if you want to. Don't listen to me, I have no idea what I'm talking about 73% of the time.In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex is an excellent companion read, by the way, and supposedly the inspiration for MD.
That’s what I like about GR, you get so many varying opinions on all books. I am no expert on good literature, I read purely for entertainment & escapism. I'm impressed that you have some idea what you are talking about 27% of the time.:)
Ten bucks says all of these candy-asses have half of a stilted, ludicrous manuscript hidden in their bottom desk drawer at home.That is all.
Oh, I resemble that remark too, Misha, but you don't see either one of us taking disrespectful snipes at classic lit.:)
those critics are just doing their jobs, they can't help that they have to position themselves in order to be noticed and build a name. the best way to do that is shout something that's ridiculous and then add some 'intelligent' arguments to your point. they're full of it, because that's their job.i haven't read either gatsby or all the pretty horses so i have no opinion there.
Tadpole wrote Ten bucks says all of these candy-asses have half of a stilted, ludicrous manuscript hidden in their bottom desk drawer at home.That is all.
Same here. And what of it???
I was never fond of The Great Gatsby. It's not even Fitzgerald's best work. But to call it the worst American book ever is a colossal stretch.
Not to sound nitpicky, but that list is impossible to read.
I was surprised to see Let the Great World Spin, the most recent National Book Award winner. One of the most disappointing books I've ever read, but is it one of the worst? Hardly.
Like Bun said early, all just a bunch of posturing by elitist failed novelists with axes to grind. Fuck 'em.
another dead thing. very convincing.
and original. i say declaring things dead is dead.
The haters have been claiming the novel's been dead for 50+ years now. Boring.
Wait ... there are vampires and zombies on the bookshelves these days?
See. I knew there was a good reason not to buy books anymore.
I would never go there alone, though.
As I understand it, the modern novel was all about deconstructing traditional story structure, and now, after going through the turmoil of the 20th century, we're moving back to plot playing a more central role.And pffft to the idea of the novel being dead. Whoever said that might be a zombie, because that's a brain dead statement. :)
I'm all for plot, and the novel is not allowed to be dead yet. I like them to much for them to die. Maybe critics should have term limits, so they don't get grouchy and jaded.
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BunWat wrote: "Tee hee, the zombie thread lurches back to (un)life."Moaning "poooooooooooooooooooooooooosts" as it lurches.
The Great Gatsby didn't impress me, but it was hardly the worst American novel I've read.Earnest Hemingway... now his books were really irritating.
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http://www.feedbooks.com/book/5543/th...
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http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2011/03...
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http://www.feedbooks.com/book/5543/th..."
Oops, apparently in the U.S. it is not in the public domain. In Australia, it is. So it is illegal to download it if you are in the U.S.
I suppose it could be used as a Bible for those who want to prop up the continuing arguments about class warfare.I liked Gatsby, though I was at odds against it when I had it assigned by three different professors over three semesters in college. It seemed like a fallback book for lit courses.
BunWat wrote: "Amber ~Geektastic~ wrote: "I suppose it could be used as a Bible for those who want to prop up the continuing arguments about class warfare.I liked Gatsby, though I was at odds against it when I ..."
Well, not so much for those people who are carping about being attacked for being rich, but for people who are leading the so-called war, like Occupy, etc. So, really the people that don't call it class warfare, but are trying to make changes in the system.
I love Gatsby. It is the only novel that I have read and can reread over an over an over again.Love it!
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That article is kind of offensive. The Great Gatsby is one of my favourite novels. I love it so much I read it twice in one year. Fitzgerald is a fascinating writer and you can take almost any single sentence out of Gatsby and find a millions things to discuss from it.
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I liked Gatsby, too, though, so what do I know?:)