worst book ever! Showing 551-600 of 1,030

[Kath]

Gatsby and all the representative garbage from lit class made this one of my top 3 icks of literature. Gatsby, Animal Farm, and Lord of the Flies (uck umpteen times over) - and now I TEACH it...

[Nicholas]

how anyone can call the great gatsby boring or the worst book ever is beyond me. It's stood the test of time for a reason. Almost gobsmacked that some cretin has suggested this.

[Ally]

It was pretty tiring.

[Glenn]

Kath wrote: "Gatsby and all the representative garbage from lit class made this one of my top 3 icks of literature. Gatsby, Animal Farm, and Lord of the Flies (uck umpteen times over) - and now I TEACH it..."

Clearly, you are unfit for your job and should quit, you neanderthal. Just because you have a child's taste in books doesn't mean you should be teaching them anything.

"And as the moon rose higher the inessential houses began to melt away until gradually I became aware of the old island here that flowered once for Dutch sailors' eyes - a fresh, green breast of the new world. Its vanished trees, the trees that had made way for Gatsby's house, had once pandered in whispers to the last and greatest of all human dreams; for a transitory enchanted moment man must have held his breath in the presence of this continent, compelled into an aesthetic contemplation he neither understood nor desired, face to face for the last time in history with something commensurate to his capacity for wonder."

You are wrong. If you cannot see the beauty of that and instill that wonder in the children you are teaching, then you should probably teach gym.

[Jordan]

If you think The Great Gatsby is the worst book ever, then I would have to question your readership. In terms of the literary canon you might not have become acquainted with books such as The Old Man and the Sea, All Quiet on the Western Front, or Dicey's Song. In terms of non-canon, there's always poorly written trash fluttering about on bookshelves, from Twilight to Wizard's First Rule.

I would happily read The Great Gatsby for the umpteenth millionth time versus any of the titles I've already listed. Just because it doesn't appeal to you stylistically doesn't make it bad, just not in your taste. That's like saying Faulkner or Shakespeare is crap because you have a hard time reading the style.

[Angela]

Laura-lou wrote: "does anyone agree with me that this is the worst and most boring book of all time?"

NO! I love that book AND the movie with Mia Farrow and Robert Redford. And there's another movie coming out.

[Melina]

Laura-lou wrote: "does anyone agree with me that this is the worst and most boring book of all time?"

Right here--it may not be THE WORST but it is close to runner up

[Sam]

Dale wrote: "You know, I went into the reading of the Great Gatsby without having read anyone's reviews. I went in with a clean slate and I sure felt as if this was one of the worst books that I have ever read ..."

I totally agree with you Dale! I likewise went in to reading the book voluntarily, knowing it was a renowned classic but not having read reviews. And I couldn't find a thread of engaging dialogue, or anything of substance that I could relate to, or was interested in. I guess that just adds ironically to the underlying futility that the book portrays!

[Michael]

No. Not the worst book ever. Maybe try it again in ten years.

[Geoffrey]

I believe one essential point that us detractors have failed to consider is the moral import of the book, or lack thereof. In this I hark back to my own take on Fitzgerald`s own warped morality in making a hero out of someone who is hardly that. These are misplaced sympathies and despite Fitzgerald`s efforts, Gatsby is not a good person. He is warped and besotten by the crass materialism of his age. He is made out to be a victim, yet was himself a victimizer. He was a powerful right hand man to an arch gangster who fixed the 1919 world series, dealt in stolen bonds and who knows what other nefarious endeavors. My pity was never with the man and I resent Fitzgerald`s attempts to wring that emotion out of me.
Judgmental, yes. The character of the artist has to be taken into consideration in giving those devils their due, otherwise Ezra Pound would have gotten a NOBEL.

[[deleted user]]

Norman wrote: "To love The Great Gatsby, you need to appreciate Fitzgerald's craft. His use of language is amazing when you stop to consider all shades of meaning that his descriptions (especially of character) ..."

I couldn't agree more. I loved reading it and recognizing the symbolism and the deeper meaning behind the novel.

[Narnie]

I could not disagree more, this is one of my favorite books, the heartbreak, the resonance of the lost generation...i ate it up

[Sharon]

I agree with you. I'm amazed in how many people just don't get it.

[Esther]

This thread is becoming too pretentious for me to keep following... from both sides of the Gatsby argument. Yeesh people... can't you state your opinions without calling other people ignorant? I believe that well-read, highly intelligent people can be on the opposite spectrum of this argument. Open your minds, please.

[Raheem]

Not the worst, but pretty bad. It's pretty much two hundred pages telling us "rich people suck". And while that's true for the most part, I didn't need a unlikable narrator, lackluster romance plot, and boring dialogue to inform me of that.

[Geoffrey]

Actually we do get it, so don´t misconstrue our dislike. There are inadequacies to Fitzgerald´s writing, but not to his style of writing. I can speak for myself, but suppose for the other detractors, is that we agree his writing poetic writing style is magnificent. However, that does not necessarily in itself make for a masterpiece, otherwise there would be so many other works of literature that would be considered masterpieces.

So to add to the complaints against this novel, I add H.L. Mencken´s own criticism. He found GG to be "no more than a glorified anecdote", and "a far inferior story at bottom". But in all fairness he did add that he recognized the novel as "plainly the product of a sound and stable talent,conjured into being by hard work".

So add to my previous criticisms, I have to comment on Fitzgerald´s time sense. For a man as obsessed as he is with time, its concept somewhat eludes him. I cite the time frame of Gatsby´s own rise to immense wealth as the prime example. Taken as a fact that our "hero" was a soldier in WWI, he would have left the military in 1918. The book´s actions occur in 1922 as plainly stated by Nick. So we have Gatsby rise to riches in less than four years.

Remember, Gatsby was not the head of Wolfsheim´s criminal enterprise, but at best his right hand man.
How was it ever possible to amass millions of dollars to ever purchase a mansion in the Egg neighborhood in less than four years-what would take any other enterprising criminal several decades to accumalate that amount of wealth.

Perhaps Gatsby was only a front man and the mansion was purchased by Wolfsheim himself and Gatsby was placed there to hobnob with the superwealthy to sell stolen bonds and other valuables. But if that were so how is it that the fence having dinner with Wolfsheim and Nick did not recognize that Nick was not Gatsby? If there were an ongoing business relationship and Gatsby was such an integral part of Wolfsheim´s enterprise, the fence would have had prior contact with G.

[Catherine]

This is a period book. Not an all time best book and definitely over-rated. Does show a part of society at a particular point in time. Turned me off to F. Scott Fitzgerald as a writer for several decades. Should not be used as an introduction to the works of this author.

[Andreia]

I read the book recently and I think it is overrated. I had high expectations when I started because some friends had recommended it. I had just finished reading "The Beautiful and Damned" by Fitzgerald, that I found amazing and loved almost every line.
The context of the story is very similar to Gatsby's, but even if the characters are shallow, they interested me and that did not happen in the same scale with Gatsby.
I believe I didn't enjoy the book because I was so in love with Gloria, not so much for Adam Patch.
"The Great Gatsby" was not one of my least favourite books, but it didn't achieve my expectations, it was a disappointment and I believe "The Beautiful and Damned" should recognised as one of Fitzgerald's best works, it's me favourite one from him.

[Vimes]

Sharon wrote: "I agree with you. I'm amazed in how many people just don't get it."

People who don't like it don't get it. Sure. How about accepting other peoples opinions instead of calling them too stupid to "get" something?

[Alexandria]

Vickie wrote: "I agree. Totally overrated. I don't know why we still torture students with it for American literature. So many other American authors to choose from. A good take off on the book is Jake, Reinv..."

the reason we have to read it in highschool (I read it just recently for a summer project) Is because appreciation for this style of literature is slipping away. No one writes anymore like Fitgerald did. I think it's beautiful. Even if the story doesn't tickle your fancie I don't see why all of these people can't see the beauty in the WRITTING. Replacing a classic with a modern novel would be ridiculous. Reading it in comparison would be perfectly fine but replacing it is ignorance. It would be like REPLACING shakspeare with a compliation of Broadway plays.

[Jana]

Laura-lou I agree, it was a waste of time.

[Esmeralda]

I'm not a big fan of Fitzgerald. I think I read it in high school also. And while I don't think it's the worst book ever, it wasn't one of my favorites.

[M.O.]

Ii had to read this for my Literature class and dear God! I wanted to cry. I get the guy, get his story but I guess it wasn't in tune with the sort of books I crave. It was difficult to get through although it's so tiny, it could have been a 1000 pages to me

[David]

I HATED this book when forced to read it in high school. Thought it was the lamest book about crass snobs going to parties. I have since gotten some Lit under my belt and I read it some 15 years later and LOVED it. The language is amazing and the story is great. It's amazing what time can do. See my review.

[Steve]

I didn't read "Gatsby" until LONG after high school -- I was in my 50s. Yes, it is partly about rich people...who find that money is not the key to happiness. And partly about a man who pretends to be rich, to be living the "American dream," which he understands to be wealth. It is about phoniness and pretense, and how they can be destructive. About lying to oneself about who and what you are.

It is not a thriller, and not intended to be one, though the denouement comes pretty fast and furious.

It is also fantastically well written, and cast in a fascinating way because it is all told through the perceptions of a secondary character.

I suspect I would have found it rather slow-going in high school, but I love it now--and even more after having seen a theatrical performance that consist of a guy in a dingy office finding a paperback copy of the book on someone's desk, then idly picking it up and starting to read it out loud. Over the course of about 4 hours (with a dinner break for the audience), the cast reads the entire book--straight. And sometimes the actors become the characters and act out the story, and sometimes simply read. The last 15 minutes or so is simply a straightforward reading (all from memory!) by the actor who plays Nick. Amazing experience, and it made the story and characters vivid, and the beauty of the writing palpable.

[Joe]

May I suggest that you listen to the recorded version read by Frank Muller. This gives you a new perspective and images abound as Frank tells this excellent story that will touch all generations regardless of time. I feel Fitzgerald is a genius in the literary world and The Great Gatsby his masterpiece. His use of vocabulary alone inspires awe.

[Syed]

I agree, Joe! A masterpiece no doubt!

[Justin]

Most complete novel in American literature, but just my opinion.

[Sze Yen]

I chose to read this book after all the hypes I heard from other people. It wasn't poorly written, but it is a snobbish piece of work. I felt as if I need to be rich to understand how important and significant this novel is. I think it is definitely over-rated. Fitzgerald was a big contrast to his contemporaries - Steinbeck and Hemingway, and I think that was the reason his work was desirable at that time. But to me, it left me with a feeling of "so what?".

[Tabitha]

I love F Scott Fitzgerald. His book Tender is the Night is beautiful. Better than The Great Gatsby but with similar brittle themes.

Worst book ever? Definitely not.

[Erica]

I absolutely agree.

[Geoffrey]

Actually, Tan, the book was not well received when orginally published. The publisher printed 75,000 only of which 20,000 books were sold by the end of the initial offering, a dismal record in the book business. He did not receive acclaim for the book until after WWII. I also felt it was a snobbish piece of work. In addition to Nick`s disdain for Wilson`s wife for her social awkwardness we get the billboard metaphor which sets his garage and locale up for some kind of primordial sleeze. Yes, my very criticism of SF. He was a snob.

[Joe]

Guys, Fiztgerald was broke. Sure he lived lavishly for a short time when he was young but he was not a snob and neither was his writing. He died in dire financial straits at age 44 in 1940. Just because a few of his characters had money (Nick wasn't rich) does not make it snobbish. Is literature about people from middle or lower class the only "good" writing? Please reread it and embrace the flow and prose.

[Vanessa]

I think that this is a wonderful book, and I read it as a teenager for pleasure, however, not all literature is enjoyed in those years, but after time and wisdom and life have made their marks on us books that we once found overrated can open up as something marvelous. I recently read The Awakening by Kate Chopin for the first time. I absolutely loved it, but I am quite sure if I had read it as a 17 year old girl I would have found the main character too selfish to enjoy. Similarly, I hated Jane Eyre for her decisions in the end when I was a teenager. I still don't understand her compelling reasons for her love, but I have reread the book several times and enjoy it more each time. Try it again in a few years, you may find that you love it.

[Amr]

a wonderful piece of work

[Shelley]

Anything read and disliked in high school should be read again!

Shelley
Rain, A Dust Bowl Story
http://dustbowlpoetry.wordpress.com

[Theresa]

Joan wrote: "I agree it is overrated. However, sometimes I think Americans are like Daisy and Gatsby--a careless country..."

Maybe like Americans in that class...

[Tim]

I would not say this is the worst book ever. Definitely did not click with my 17 year old hormones though. They needed a chase scene or a tiger on the loose.

[☯Emily]

Tim wrote: "I would not say this is the worst book ever. Definitely did not click with my 17 year old hormones though. They needed a chase scene or a tiger on the loose."

Vehicular homicide is not enough?

[Amy]

I'll have to disagree. The Scarlett Letter is hands down the worst book ever.

[Tim]

☯Emily wrote: "Tim wrote: "I would not say this is the worst book ever. Definitely did not click with my 17 year old hormones though. They needed a chase scene or a tiger on the loose."

Vehicular homicide is not..."

Not for a 17 year old boy.

[Vanessa]

The Scarlett Letter is a masterpiece. I am very alarmed by the lack of education that students are receiving in literature. These books are talking about important social themes and how those things shaped the world at that time. Understanding, appreciating, and enjoying books like the Scarlett Letter and The Great Gatsby will give you a better understanding of the complicated human condition. Are your teachers not discussing symbolism and history alongside these novels?

[Joe]

I agree with Vanessa, it seems that the young generations before this one, were taught and understood these classics, but for some reason the message is not getting through now. The 21st. Century would be off to a more promising start if the classics like Gatsby were being understood and resonating with our youth.

[Jools]

Vanessa wrote: "The Scarlett Letter is a masterpiece. I am very alarmed by the lack of education that students are receiving in literature. These books are talking about important social themes and how those thi..."

I have to agree i find myself shaking my head at some of these posts.

[Sarah]

You have got to be kidding! Gatsby is one of the all time best books of all time.

[Barb]

I hated it when I read it. I just remember not relating to the characters at all. They just seemed so removed from anyone or anything I knew, and they seemed to be such worthless people.

[Geoffrey]

That was my immediate take on the characters as well, Barbara. Then when I reread the book, I recognized glaring faults in its literary construction as well, Fitzgerald´s brilliant writing notwithstanding. Too much style, too little substance.

[Barb]

I would also like to point out that I read Gatsby in my AP English course in about 1973. No, it has nothing to do with the current generation. And, in that class we read many, many classic books that I loved. Having to read it just made it possible for me to finish it and have a true opinion. And, I loved the Scarlet Letter.

[[deleted user]]

I chose to read it in high school and loved it then and still do. I think the way F.Scott Fitzgerald writes, both in 'Gatsby' and in other novels, is beautiful and the characters in 'Gatsby' are truly wonderful.

[Hannah]

thios book was Not the worst book ever that was the scarlett letter and thisbook was amazing...it defined the flapper era not to mention the subtle forshadowing through out the book