Book Review | The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Summary

In this review of *The Great Gatsby* by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the reviewer reflects on the story's rich themes and complex characters, particularly through the eyes of narrator Nick Carraway. Set in the 1920s, the novel explores the mysterious life of Jay Gatsby and the superficiality of the wealthy elite, epitomized by Daisy and Tom Buchanan. Despite a mixed reading experience, the reviewer appreciates Fitzgerald's beautiful prose and impactful storytelling. They express a desire to delve deeper into the book's symbolism and anticipate a future reread to gain new insights, ultimately finding value in the literary classic.

Takeaways

• 📖 The Great Gatsby is set in the 1920s and narrated by Nick Carraway, who lives next to the mysterious and wealthy Jay Gatsby.
• 🎉 Gatsby is known for his lavish parties, which attract various wealthy characters, including Nick's cousin, Daisy Buchanan.
• 👎 Many characters in the story are portrayed as unpleasant and self-absorbed, contributing to a negative atmosphere at Gatsby's parties.
• 😕 The narrator, Nick, is intrigued by Gatsby but discovers that the more he learns, the less mysterious Gatsby becomes.
• 📚 The book has a significant cultural impact, with references and jokes stemming from its themes and characters being common in collective consciousness.
• 🌀 The reader experiences mixed emotions throughout the book, enjoying some parts while finding others tedious or unengaging.
• 🌈 Fitzgerald employs rich metaphors and symbols, notably the color yellow, to convey deeper meanings within the narrative.
• 🔍 The narrative style features unexpected shifts in action that can have a more profound impact than lengthy descriptions.
• ❤️ The reviewer appreciates the exploration of doomed love stories, which aligns with their personal reading preferences.
• 🔄 The reviewer plans to revisit the book to see if their perspective changes upon a second reading.

Q & A

What is the primary setting of *The Great Gatsby*?

The story is primarily set in the 1920s on Long Island, specifically in West Egg and New York City.

Who is the narrator of the novel, and what is his relationship to Gatsby?

The narrator is Nick Carraway, who rents a house next to Jay Gatsby and serves as a friend and observer of the events in the story.

How is Jay Gatsby described in the review?

Jay Gatsby is portrayed as a wealthy, mysterious figure who throws extravagant parties but is not well-known by the other characters.

What themes are highlighted in the review?

Key themes include the emptiness of the American Dream, the superficiality of the wealthy, and the complexities of love and relationships.

How does the reviewer feel about the characters in the novel?

The reviewer finds most characters unpleasant, which they enjoy, as it adds to the intrigue of the story.

What writing style does Fitzgerald use that the reviewer appreciates?

The reviewer appreciates Fitzgerald's use of beautiful language and moments where the impact of actions is delivered succinctly without dramatic embellishment.

What specific symbols or motifs are mentioned in the review?

The review mentions the color yellow as a recurring symbol, which is often subject to analysis in the book.

How does the reviewer plan to engage with the book in the future?

The reviewer intends to reread the book in the future to see if their experience and understanding change upon a second reading.

What is the reviewer's overall impression of the book?

The reviewer finds *The Great Gatsby* to be an interesting read with intriguing characters and beautiful writing, despite some parts being challenging to engage with.

What resources does the reviewer recommend for further understanding of the novel?

The reviewer recommends videos by Shiso and Crash Course for more insights into *The Great Gatsby*.