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Most Helpful Favorable Review
13 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
The Great Gatsby
Though the ending isn't Disney-worthy (my usual preference), Fitzgerald did a marvelous job. The book centers around the mysterious character of Gatsby, and, as you turn the pages, his history unravels before your eyes, as well as the narrator's--Nick. Nick is an "ave...Read More
Though the ending isn't Disney-worthy (my usual preference), Fitzgerald did a marvelous job. The book centers around the mysterious character of Gatsby, and, as you turn the pages, his history unravels before your eyes, as well as the narrator's--Nick. Nick is an "average" guy whom we feel we can trust--because he follows his father's advice and does not immediately judge (or so he says). The book will make you yearn for a love you know is impossible, cringe with embarrassment at a shameful past, blush at the awkwardness encountered on nearly every page, laugh and cry at the dramatic irony, and have you researching the Charleston (the dance, not the city--this is set in the 1920s, after all!). It may not be considered a typical love story, but the electricity between Daisy and Gatsby is too strong to deny and it always has me wondering what will happen (though I know). Read for irony, read for lessons, read to be taken back to another time--no, another dimension in which the music never dies and the party is perpetual.Show Less
posted by leehoove on February 10, 2010
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8 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
A good quick read but...
I read "The Great Gatsby" two times, one for leisure and the other for school. I still can't entirely understand why it's considered a classic. The themes are hard to pick up and realize and some parts such as the whole switching cars fiasco were confusing and I had to ...Read More
I read "The Great Gatsby" two times, one for leisure and the other for school. I still can't entirely understand why it's considered a classic. The themes are hard to pick up and realize and some parts such as the whole switching cars fiasco were confusing and I had to go back and read the part again. Some parts don't make sense but I guess that's just because it's from a different time period such as Tom talking to his lover on the phone and Daisy knows. Why doesn't she do anything about it??? Gatsby gets somewhat annoying and you feel like, "Just talk to her already!!!!" Fitzgerald sets the scene and setting perfectly and the reader gets a real sense of the 1920s vibe. Let's just say it has highs and lows. Worth reading? Yeah, but you'll probably find that there are better books out there. The whole thing is not long so it's good if you have a few hours to spare.Show Less
posted by 921881 on August 12, 2009
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leehoove
Posted February 10, 2010
I Also Recommend:
The Great Gatsby
Though the ending isn't Disney-worthy (my usual preference), Fitzgerald did a marvelous job. The book centers around the mysterious character of Gatsby, and, as you turn the pages, his history unravels before your eyes, as well as the narrator's--Nick. Nick is an "average" guy whom we feel we can trust--because he follows his father's advice and does not immediately judge (or so he says). The book will make you yearn for a love you know is impossible, cringe with embarrassment at a shameful past, blush at the awkwardness encountered on nearly every page, laugh and cry at the dramatic irony, and have you researching the Charleston (the dance, not the city--this is set in the 1920s, after all!). It may not be considered a typical love story, but the electricity between Daisy and Gatsby is too strong to deny and it always has me wondering what will happen (though I know). Read for irony, read for lessons, read to be taken back to another time--no, another dimension in which the music never dies and the party is perpetual.
13 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
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theReader278
Posted June 29, 2011
I Also Recommend:
Excellent Read
This is a wonderful book. It will keep you entertained for hours
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted August 12, 2009
A good quick read but...
I read "The Great Gatsby" two times, one for leisure and the other for school. I still can't entirely understand why it's considered a classic. The themes are hard to pick up and realize and some parts such as the whole switching cars fiasco were confusing and I had to go back and read the part again. Some parts don't make sense but I guess that's just because it's from a different time period such as Tom talking to his lover on the phone and Daisy knows. Why doesn't she do anything about it??? Gatsby gets somewhat annoying and you feel like, "Just talk to her already!!!!" Fitzgerald sets the scene and setting perfectly and the reader gets a real sense of the 1920s vibe. Let's just say it has highs and lows. Worth reading? Yeah, but you'll probably find that there are better books out there. The whole thing is not long so it's good if you have a few hours to spare.
8 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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An American Classic
As soon as a reader opens up their copy of The Great Gatsby they will find themselves thrust into the world of 1920's America. This "Jazz Age" featured the prodigious house parties that the prohibition era was known for. But none of the parties thrown could match the lavishness of the festivities at the Gatsby residence on West Egg, Long Island, especially if you were viewing them from the house of his neighbor Nick Carraway. Nick, being a 29 year old bondsman from Minnesota, would have not expected to be around such a lively atmosphere in the first place and could not be prepared in the very least for the summer that was ahead of him while living next to the Gatsby estate. His summer that year nudged him in the directions of such themes as materialism, adultery, murder and life. Through this time, Nick finds himself telling the story of his events on Long Island that summer and how he progressed through a rite of passage which can also connect to the timeless self-discoveries gone through by all readers throughout their lives. But F. Scott Fitzgerald developed his story further from the narrator's rite of passage and developed a tragic figure that is the focus of the story's title, Jay Gatsby. Jay is the charismatic next door neighbor of Nick, who has more mystery surrounding him than he does house guests. Jay's story revolves around Nick's cousin, Daisy, whom Jay has continued to be devoted to even though their relationship had ended years ago. Those who have felt the hurt of a broken heart can relate to the emotions expressed by both Daisy and Jay while they find themselves immersed in the complications of this love during the book. The immersion in which readers can find themselves experiencing is the reason why this book has not stopped birthing positive review after positive review. F. Scott Fitzgerald has truly created a time portal to the 1920's through this literary masterpiece for all to experience and escape from their own worlds and venture into a life much different than their own.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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TheButler
Posted June 8, 2010
I Also Recommend:
Definitely a Classic
This book has been named a classic and I would have to completely agree with that. The book is an amazing novel that captures the early 1900s with amazing accuracy. If you enjoy American literature and history this book is a must read. The writing is exquisite and the higher class of America is excellently portrayed. Fitzgerald's characters will make you question yourself and ethics as they become enthralled in the drama that surrounds them. The book is amazing for discussions and will have to become a permanent fixture in your life after reading it once. This realsitic novel will make you think more than most other classics!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Fitzgerald's masterpiece
I've read this novella over and over again and love it more each time I read it. There is one part that drags on a bit, and that is when it rattles off names of guests at one of Gatsby's elaborate parties, but other than that, it is perfection.
Jay Gatsby is probably F. Scott Fitzgerald's best characters. I can really empathize with him. This work also shows Fitzgerald's improvement in his use of dialogue, which is a bit weak in his previous novels.
At only 188 pages, it is a quick read, but a read that will stick with you forever.4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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C-Thompson
Posted January 31, 2012
Interesting Read
"The Great Gatsby" is about a man named Nick. When he moved he constantly heard about a man named Jay Gatsby. Little did he know he lived next door. Jay is a person who is wealthy and intelligent. This caused Nick to wonder, who is he? He seemed very secretive to Nick. He wanted to get to know him. He yearned to know how and why he was so wealthy, and who, truthfully, is Jay Gatsby? He finds his way to Jay, in a coincidence. This starts Nick’s "investigation" to find the real Jay Gatsby. Characters such as: Mr. & Mrs. Buchanan add a twist. The characters slowly reveal and define Gatsby. I enjoyed the book. The different concepts, the different characters and their personalities kept you wondering what is going to happen next. Is there something they're hiding? It keeps you on your feet. The language they use was a challenge at first; but once you got adjusted to the way they used their words it was fairly easy and pleasant to read.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted May 18, 2011
Boo!
Would like to read it except it didn't download the whole book! Guess that's what you get for .99 cents!
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Buccfinity
Posted April 1, 2011
Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby does symbolize much more than what the anonymous man said. It symbolizes not only one of the major flaws of human beings, but the greatest test for us as well; honesty. Jay gatsby lived a lie and in the end died a lie as well. The book tells a lot about society and is very educational. It is overall a great book if you analyze it the wat Fitzgerald would want u to.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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4432526
Posted March 31, 2011
never ever...
...listen to anonymous comments like that one, obviously the writings of a pathetic nobody who desperately knows nothing of fine literature. great read.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted July 16, 2008
Overly Glorified Door Stop
I was forced to read this book for high school and I absolutely hate it. It doesn't live up to the name so many people give it. I understand that the basic idea behind the story is the struggle to fulfill unattainable desires but despite the moral being very strong this book disappoints me to no end. It's overly simplistic and is told in such a way that it leaves a student feeling numb from boredom. Thanks a lot California educational system for making me waste my precious youth on this over glorified door stop.
3 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 31, 2012
UNDERSTANDABLE OR NOT?! The Great Gatsby
In the Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby who is the main character, struggles to keep honesty in a relationship. The main idea of this story is about Jay Gatsby,who meets Nick Carraway, his new neighbor, and develops a relationship with him; in addition, he has troubles keeping his love for Daisy Buchanan at bay. The main characters of this story are obviously Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, and Daisy Buchanan; in addition, the secondary characters are Tom Buchanan, Jordan Baker, Myrtle Wilson, George Wilson, Owl Eyes, Klipspringer, and Meyer Wolfsheim. The main character Jay Gatsby is a man who is elegant and very eloquent; nevertheless, he does throw a lot of parties, especially in the long summer nights. He is a very charismatic man who happened to accumulate a lot of wealth. Nick Carraway is the narrator, and is a kind gentle type of guy, who develops a friendship with Jay Gatsby. Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan’s wife, is a woman who is materialistic and once was deeply in love with Jay Gatsby, but keeps the fact she still loves him a mystery. The main conflict is internal because Jay is fighting against himself to keep his feelings for Daisy at bay. The internal conflict is man versus self because of his own mental struggle with facing Daisy’s love on a daily basis. One of the main plot events that make up the rising action is where Tom begins to suspect something is going on between Gatsby and Daisy at a luncheon they were having. He witnesses Gatsby staring at Daisy with a deep loving passionate look. Another one of the major events is when Nick, Jordan, and Tom are driving through the valley of the ashes and find that Gatsby’s car has hit Myrtle Wilson, who happens to be Tom’s lover. I overall enjoyed this book, but I did find it hard to understand what was going on. I dislike the fact there was a lot of imagery and literary elements used, it made it really confusing to know what was going on. I also didn’t enjoy it much because I felt the story was a little choppy and it jumped from one event in one chapter to a totally different one in the other. The final reason I didn’t fully enjoy it was that it used a lot of deep meaning and symbolism, so it made me go back and reread pages even to the point of three times just to grasp what had occurred. In spite of these setbacks I enjoyed the story’s idea and surprisingly at some points did not want to set down the book called, The Great Gastby.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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orngcure
Posted May 15, 2011
My FAVORITE Fitzgerald book!
if you like books from this era then the great gatsby is a no brainer. While i have all the works of F Scott Fitzgerald this is by far my favorite. And when i saw the NookBook for only 99 cents it was undeniable!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted March 12, 2011
Never Ever read this book.
Worst book ever written. Ever. People say it is full of symbolism and mystery but really it's just the desperate pathetic writing of a desperate pathetic man.
2 out of 25 people found this review helpful.
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What's the big deal?
So, everyone at school was saying, "I loved The Great Gatsby," so when my class started reading it, I was excited. But, after a couple chapters, my first reaction was, "This is boring." Sure, it's a love story and sure, it has its moments, but it wasn't the greatest read, and to be honest, Gatsby was the most pathetic character I've seen in awhile. I wouldn't recommend this book to many people.
2 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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The Great Fitzgerald
Truly a classic; Fitzgerald beautifully paints the 20's era with the new sensations of money and bootlegging and partying in his fantastic novel. His superb writing details the life of Nick Carraway with his friend, a new wealth, Jay Gatsby, who longs for the married Daisy Buchanan. The trials of trying to get her shows how flawed Gatsby is, and therefore, fulfilling the title of the book, how truly great he is. Fitzgerald's writing intoxicates the reader into this forgotten world. His sentences really do stand up and take a little bow.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted March 5, 2008
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby... When I was first assigned to read this book the title did not sound appealing to me. If I was assigned this book in the past, I would have figured it would have been a typical book I had to read for school boring. Even though the title does not sound to appealing to me, I trusted my teacher enough to give the book a a chance. As I begin reading the book I did not understand why it was called ¿The Great Gatsby¿ because the character Gatsby never talked to anyone nor did anyone get to visualize him. As I read through the book , I eventually noticed why it was called the `Great Gatsby¿ and understood why the author picked the title of this book. The Great Gatsby showed the time during the 1920¿s and how it was. Things such as the parties, the poor life, the rich life, cars, and fashion to name a few. The book consisted of two young people [Daisy and Gatsby] in love, but broken apart because Gatsby [who was poor] had to go to war. Daisy ended up not waiting for Gatsby and married a rich fellow named Tom. Tom and Daisy had a child together, but lived a marriage of lies. He had cheated on her with many women due to the unstable choice of marriage. Gatsby came back from war and made something of himself. He became very wealthy and successful. He did this to try to win his old love Daisy back. Years later the both had houses near each other, and Gatsby tried his hardest to get back with Daisy. He thought he could relive the past with her and rekindle there love. Although I enjoyed the book the ending was not how I planned it to turn out in my head. One thing I liked about the ending was how it showed money does not give you everything and you cannot always buy love and happiness, nor a perfect life. The book showed two sides, the life of the poor and the life of the rich. Both ways you can be happy, you just have to find your happiness in yourself and life. You understand in this book that money can buy you nice things, but cannot always buy you love.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted June 4, 2005
The Great Bore
While The Great Gatsby may have been a classic for other readers, it was hard for me to believe that it was one of the greatest novels of all time. This fictional book touches several different themes including envy between the rich, interracial issues, and clashes between ¿old money¿ and ¿new money.¿ It also provides a good overview of what life was like in the 1920s as the economy soared and people lived without worries in the ¿Jazz Age.¿ In a way, author F. Scott Fitzgerald places himself into the story through the characters of Nick Carrawy and Jake Gatsby. Fitzgerald¿s personality along with his own personal experiences and feelings are all portrayed through these two characters. The book starts off with Nick introducing himself and all the riches that surround him. He describes his new life in the east and his goals to make money in the bond business. As I was reading, numerous other characters were also introduced, all except Gatsby. With all the questions and assumptions of the mysterious Gatsby, it wasn¿t until later in the book that I was able to realize who this title character really was. The book then goes on to tell the background of each of the characters and how they got to be so rich. The novel mainly focuses on how Daisy, Tom and Gatsby struggle with love and how they try to keep their scandalous secrets from each other. The trouble with love soon turns tragic, causing the novel to finally end with a shocking finish. Overall, this book was just one big bore. I constantly found myself drifting away from what was going on in the story. Though the novel did have some entertaining elements, most of it was extremely uninteresting. I was so fed up with it that I even wanted to skip some paragraphs and pages as I was wondering when the chapter and book was going to end. With all the affairs that were going on, and all the secrets that were being kept from each other, this book was like watching a soap opera. Eventually, I was able to predict that something catastrophic was bound to happen, much like any other reader who had read this book. I could understand how other people may have enjoyed this novel but it just wasn¿t the book for me. However, if you¿re fascinated by how the rich lived in the 1920s and you take pleasure in reading about love and affairs, this may be the story you have been waiting for. While The Great Gatsby is one of the most finest literary pieces ever written to most people, it is one of the dullest and most tedious books I have ever opened.
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted May 15, 2012
Cheaper isnt better
Bought this for school couldnt even get through the first chapter. Bad capitalization and horrible spacing between words.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted February 20, 2012
Skye Lass and Anna
I just finished this book. I loved it. There is always something watching over them like that eye doctor sign with the glasses. Also when Gatsby had his parties there was that guy with the owl eyed glasses. I liked how he tied it together with the same owl eyed guy at the end. The end was very sudden and a bit confusing. It really made me think. I noticed it doesn't have much of a moral if any which makes it different because most books have a moral. I think he did a nice job. I am excited to see the movie. Our class couldn't agree which side Nick's house was on...right or left...I pictured it on the right.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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