“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1925
Set in the summer of 1922, The Great Gatsby is a love story of Gatsby's
passion for Daisy Buchanan. It is also a
picture of the Jazz Age in all of its decadence and excess.
Avarice, social-strata, ambition, nouveau riche vs. old money, reckless
driving, the “American dream”, booze, parties, infidelity, and a mystery man
were enough to make this an enjoyable read for me. Touching on the decline of
“The American Dream” in 1920s, the hollowness of the upper class, the social
immobility despite the geographical closeness between East Egg and West Egg,
regrets, and recapturing the past is what made this novel considered by many a
Great American Novel and a literary classic.
I also noticed some gay overtones-- Nick kind of falling in love with
Gatsby and what he represents, Nick going home
with a photographer named Mr. Mckee after a party, and Nick constantly
keeping track of Gatsby. Then there is the material girl-- Daisy crying over
exquisite shirts at Gatsby house, going from plain rich to mega rich by marrying
Tom, and attending lavish posh parties. And what to say about Myrtle—oh poor
Myrtle. She was just a play thing for the hollow rich folks. She certainly
didn’t deserve to be run over even if she committed adultery.
My rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars)
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