“He had lost the old warm world, paid a high price for living too long with a single dream” (F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby)

F. Scott Fitzgerald published The Great Gatsby in 1925. It is a work of fiction that takes place Ambaon Long Island directly after World War One, during a period known as the roaring twenties. The novel is often thought of as the quintessential book exploring the American dream. The idea of a glittery façade with secrets lurking beneath drew me into the novel and Fitzgerald’s elegant writing style and engaging plot kept me hooked the whole way through. 

Synopsis:

The Great Gatsby is narrated by Nick Carraway, a Yale graduate originally from Minnesota, who hopes to become a writer. Nick’s failed career leads to a job selling bonds and he escapes for a summer to New York in order to reinvigorate his life after the war. The titular character of the book, Jay Gatsby, does not appear until after the first few chapters but once he does, he remains somewhat a mystery for the majority of the novel. For one wild and eventful summer, Nick observes the glamourous lives of the New Yorkers that he encounters and offers the reader a window into the lives of the extremely rich. 

Review:

Fitzgerald’s writing style absolutely impressed me. He offered unique and vivid descriptions of small details: people’s expressions, the nearby architecture, the demeanor of passerby, or the weather of the previous day. His commitment to elevated prose did not however attempt to mask a lacking plot. He filled each page with interesting events, making every word count. The writing style also mirrors the themes of the plot itself: grand and impressive but also human and fallible. 

The characters in the novel impressed me thoroughly as well. Fitzgerald’s decision to cast Nick as the narrator offered a unique perspective that would not otherwise have come through. For example, the reader only gets to experience the other characters’ relationships as Nick understands them, effectively letting the reader figure everything out along with Nick. Gatsby as a character lends the novel a sense of mystery and as the reader comes to know more and more about Gatsby, they see the follies of wealth and success. Thus, Fitzgerald effectively encapsulates his themes within his characters and their interactions, leading to a dynamic and rewarding story.

During the Roaring Twenties, the rich essentially gave in to all of their desires and threw lavish parties with elaborate guest lists. Fitzgerald criticizes this superficial way of living, implying throughout the novel that this way of life leads to moral decay and eventually suffering. He attempts to humanize the upper class but also condemn their immorality. Fitzgerald also explores the theme of the American dream in Gatsby, who is the epitome of someone working their way to the top, albeit not in an entirely moral way. In The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald attempts to provide Americans with a cautionary tale about the dangers of immorality and superficiality, expertly crafting a story that will leave an impression on the reader. 

The plot kept me engaged throughout the novel and worked nicely with the writing style. The timing of the novel was straightforward with an almost completely linear arrangement except for a few times when Gatsby speaks of his past. The chapters were also a perfectly manageable length and the pacing felt realistic and engaging. 

My favorite part of this novel was experiencing the story through the eyes of a narrator who is not directly involved in the main part of the plot. While he is Daisy’s cousin, he is somewhat an outsider, viewing the relationships of others in the novel. I also particularly enjoyed the ending, where the whole story culminates in such a way that Fitzgerald’s themes are perfectly epitomized.

In spite of all its strengths, I felt at times that the events of the book were perhaps too much of a coincidence to feel realistic. This detached me from the world slightly and left the feeling of a contrived plot instead of an organic story. I also felt that Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship felt shallow in that they seemed to rush to each other without spending much time together. It felt unrealistic that they would upend their lives to be together especially after knowing each other for such a short time and such a long time ago.

Overall, I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants to explore the themes of wealth, class, and love. It has elegant writing and clear themes as well as countless examples of symbolism for the reader to uncover.

I give this book 📚📚📚📚📚—the lessons are timeless and everyone can benefit from internalizing them! (5/5)

Love, Ellie 

GFB Ambassador