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Lisa of Troy's Reviews > The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby
by
by
Fitzgerald, you have ruined me.
Fitzgerald can set a scene so perfectly, flawlessly. He paints a world of magic and introduces one of the greatest characters of all time, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby is the embodiment of hope, and no one can dissuade him from his dreams. Have you ever had a dream that carried you to heights you could never have dreamed otherwise? When Gatsby is reunited with Daisy Buchanan, he fills the space to the brim with flowers, creating a living dream. How is anyone supposed to compete with that?
The Great Gatsby perfectly makes use of a narrator, Nick. Why is Gatsby so great? Because Nick tells us. If Gatsby told us, we would just think that he is a braggard, the least humble person in the world.
This book is wildly addictive, so intricate yet perfectly woven together, a brilliant literary masterpiece. I have to keep going back to reconnect with Jay Gatsby, a naïve but beautiful and charming hope, perfectly imperfect, a relentless dreamer.
2025 Reading Schedule
Jan A Town Like Alice
Feb Birdsong
Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr War and Peace
May The Woman in White
Jun Atonement
Jul The Shadow of the Wind
Aug Jude the Obscure
Sep Ulysses
Oct Vanity Fair
Nov A Fine Balance
Dec Germinal
Connect With Me!
Fitzgerald can set a scene so perfectly, flawlessly. He paints a world of magic and introduces one of the greatest characters of all time, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby is the embodiment of hope, and no one can dissuade him from his dreams. Have you ever had a dream that carried you to heights you could never have dreamed otherwise? When Gatsby is reunited with Daisy Buchanan, he fills the space to the brim with flowers, creating a living dream. How is anyone supposed to compete with that?
The Great Gatsby perfectly makes use of a narrator, Nick. Why is Gatsby so great? Because Nick tells us. If Gatsby told us, we would just think that he is a braggard, the least humble person in the world.
This book is wildly addictive, so intricate yet perfectly woven together, a brilliant literary masterpiece. I have to keep going back to reconnect with Jay Gatsby, a naïve but beautiful and charming hope, perfectly imperfect, a relentless dreamer.
2025 Reading Schedule
Jan A Town Like Alice
Feb Birdsong
Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr War and Peace
May The Woman in White
Jun Atonement
Jul The Shadow of the Wind
Aug Jude the Obscure
Sep Ulysses
Oct Vanity Fair
Nov A Fine Balance
Dec Germinal
Connect With Me!
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
October 25, 2020
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Finished Reading
November 5, 2020
– Shelved
January 1, 2024
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Started Reading
January 1, 2024
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Started Reading
January 1, 2024
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Started Reading
January 1, 2024
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Started Reading
May 28, 2024
– Shelved
(Other Paperback Edition)
September 10, 2024
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Started Reading
September 21, 2024
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Finished Reading
November 27, 2024
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Finished Reading
November 30, 2024
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Finished Reading
December 1, 2024
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Finished Reading
December 2, 2024
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Finished Reading
December 20, 2024
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Started Reading
December 23, 2024
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Finished Reading
March 4, 2025
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Started Reading
(Hardcover Edition)
March 4, 2025
– Shelved
(Hardcover Edition)
March 11, 2025
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Finished Reading
(Hardcover Edition)
Comments Showing 1-50 of 52 (52 new)
message 1:
by
Shawna
(new)
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rated it 3 stars
Aug 07, 2021 05:23AM
I've been teaching Gatsby off and on for 20 years and I never get sick of it! Most years either I discover something new or the kids point something new out or think about something in a way I hadn't thought of!
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I think Gatsby is overrated, not because it lacks depth, but because its surface is too superficial. You need a miner's tools to uncover the amazing complexities of the book. 3/5 at most and wouldn't want to reread.
Glad you enjoyed this one more than I did 😊.
Seeing this, I just added it to my re-read list for next year.
Shawna wrote: "I've been teaching Gatsby off and on for 20 years and I never get sick of it! Most years either I discover something new or the kids point something new out or think about something in a way I hadn..."#LifeGoals = teaching Great Gatsby. I would love to hear all of the ideas from the students over the years!
LiteraryCritics-now-as-Mia wrote: "So glad that you enjoyed it!❤❤"Thanks! Hope you are enjoying the holiday season!
Jayson wrote: "Lovely review"Thanks, Jayson! Hope you are enjoying your week of reading!
Luffy wrote: "I think Gatsby is overrated, not because it lacks depth, but because its surface is too superficial. You need a miner's tools to uncover the amazing complexities of the book. 3/5 at most and wouldn..."There are times when Fitzgerald is the opposite of subtle. He definitely provides the key to his symbolism at times.
Brian wrote: "Seeing this, I just added it to my re-read list for next year."Hope you enjoy this as much as I did, Brian! Thanks for supporting my reviews! Much appreciated!
Lucy wrote: "Glad you enjoyed this one more than I did 😊."Oh, no! Hopefully, your next read will be all the better! :)
Lisa of Troy wrote: "Luffy wrote: "I think Gatsby is overrated, not because it lacks depth, but because its surface is too superficial. You need a miner's tools to uncover the amazing complexities of the book. 3/5 at m..."The most unsubtle Fitzgerald is is when writing the fate of Mrs Myrtle and the character of Jordan. But when it comes to analysis of his book with other lens than feminism, Fitzgerald's writing is totally subtle. His book is still waters that do run deep.
Great review of a wonderful book Lisa!
One of my favourite books of all time. I had it as a school read at first when I was far too young to understand the book's subtleties. I don't know why I have never read anything further by Fitzgerald.
Great review. Thank you. Had this one on my list for a while (even before joining ŷ). Must get to it sometime! CB
Infectious review, Lisa! You thought a lot more of this book than I did ;o)
GirlWithThePinkSkiMask wrote: "My #1 book of all time. He writes like nobody else. I was so hyped for the movie in 2013 and it was TERRRIBBBLLEEEE."I didn't think the movie was terrible, but I didn't think it was great either. Di Caprio was too old for the part.
Beautiful review, Lisa. I loved this book, too.
Nice review, Lisa! Have you checked out Fitz's letters to his editor, Max Perkins at Scribners? Fascinating look into his life, if you're interested. Happy reading!
Mark wrote: "Great review of a wonderful book Lisa!"Thanks, Mark! I was just thinking that I haven't heard from you lately, but Count of Monte Christo, that explains it!
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "One of my favourite books of all time. I had it as a school read at first when I was far too young to understand the book's subtleties. I don't know why I have never read anything further by Fitzge..."This is one of my all time favorites as well!
Lorna wrote: "Beautiful review, Lisa. I loved this book, too."Thanks, Lorna! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it as well!
Mike wrote: "Nice review, Lisa! Have you checked out Fitz's letters to his editor, Max Perkins at Scribners? Fascinating look into his life, if you're interested. Happy reading!"Thanks, Mike! I haven't seen the letters yet, but I see that that there was a friendship between the two. Oh if only I could encourage writers and end up as part of literary history for all time!
Scribners is one of my favorite publishers though. They have been quite generous to me in terms of advanced reader copies. So there will definitely be some upcoming reviews of some Scribners published books! Thanks again for the tip, Mike!
GirlWithThePinkSkiMask wrote: "My #1 book of all time. He writes like nobody else. I was so hyped for the movie in 2013 and it was TERRRIBBBLLEEEE."If you want to see TERRRRRIBLLLEEEE book-movie adaptions, To Kill A Mockingbird has to be the worst one. The child actors just weren't ready. It was like really bad high school theatre. But I do agree with you. The movie didn't really depict how two characters would look at one another after thinking about each other for so long. The movie also took some liberties that changed the essence of Daisy's character which I really didn't appreciate.
One of my all time favorite books since reading it in high school!
Thank you I am glad you liked the novel It can'be understood without what you have perfectly seen aAmerican of the age living the Nation's Dream I thoroughly enjoyed your writing
Wonderful review of a classic!
The Great Gatsby is a favorite of mine. Your review is brilliant!
Next time you read it, focusing on the text as Nick's story (not Gatsby's story) will change everything. As narrator, Nick controls the text, selects the details, interprets the events. We focus on Gatsby, but it's Nick who judges and evolves.
I’ve seen the movie and was excited to stumble on a copy in my neighborhood Free People’s Library. Looking forward to reading this historical classic.
I need to be more like Gatsby, but am more like Nick 😆
Fitzgerald makes a beautiful connection using color and material possessions to describe the characters in a fuller manner. I agree that Gatsby is a compelling figure, but he is not great, as mentioned above. He is living a lie and does a good job trying to fool others of his greatness. In his defense, he seems to really believe in his dream of achieving greatness, but everything he has built is sustained by a weak foundation. He fails to acknowledge that by trying to live up to the wealth possessed by the Buchanan's, he is headed to the same baseless and empty life which envelope the rich couple. Fitzgerald uses Nick to explain that good human qualities and values do not exclusively stem from great wealth. In fact, he shows that many times money corrupts that which makes us good and honest human beings. Everything is superficial and insincere, even relationships are tainted by pompous pride and selfishness. Gatsby is trying to compete with human beings that are not worth emulating. It is important to note the era in which it was written. The 1920's was a time when the American public was exposed to excessive material wealth and people were encouraged by society to participate in seeking pleasure and enjoyment. American manufacturing was producing material items in excess. Greater and faster machines were giving the American public all the items they desired. The invention of the automobile and better modes of production made it possible for the middle class to own a vehicle. For the first time American women gained the right to vote and they felt more liberated and free. They started wearing make-up and started to party, smoke and drink in public. Flappers of the era became popular and the norm for many women. So again, here is the era of having a good time and a time for personal pleasure. They era was not what good you could do for society as a whole, but in how to do good for me. The end of the decade brought a lot of human suffering for many during the fall of the stock market and the Great Depression. The system becomes corrupt just like in the Great Gatsby, the good times and the partying could not last and decay and decline touched Jay Gatsby in the end.
Lovely and perfect review! I love this book with all my heart ❤️❤️
Such a wonderful book! Great review, Lisa! :)
Brava, Lisa! A wonderful review! One of my all-time favorites.
Thanks for the review of an old classic. Maybe my old self needs a reread - I do not think I liked it enough for 5 stars but I should find out. Thanks for posting. peace, janz
This is sitting on my shelf, and I've never read it! I'll have to get to it VERY soon! Great review Lisa!
One of the few classics I enjoyed (and understood!) in school. Great review.
Nice review, Lisa. I like your reading list for 2025!
Stunning review Lisa. 🙂
Daisy's lover , gatsby you have inspired me.Old sport ,Daisy was terribly selfish and insincere.I learnt that people cannot be trusted through Fitzgerald dainty and beautiful writing. May your soul rest in peace�Ameen.
Regards,
Harry Potter fan
Great review, Lisa, as usual.
