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dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Car accident, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexism, Suicide, Antisemitism, Grief
Minor: Confinement, War
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Car accident, Murder
Moderate: Alcohol
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
initially dnf’d ages ago, multiple times, and finally decided to pick it up again. and honestly i still don’t get how this is a loved and renowned “classic.” it’s okay and i only finished because i found the audiobook and listened to the rest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Car accident
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Antisemitism
Minor: Gun violence, Murder, War
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Alcohol
Moderate: Racism, Suicide
Minor: Cursing, War
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Blood, Car accident, Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Classism
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I mean it's Gatsby. Also Nick is gay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Alcohol
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Characters – 9/10
The characters in The Great Gatsby were deeply memorable and distinct. Jay Gatsby himself was a fascinating enigma—driven by relentless hope, yet tragically naive. Nick Carraway served as an excellent observer, capturing both the glamour and hollowness of the Jazz Age. Daisy Buchanan embodied both allure and carelessness, making her frustrating yet compelling. The secondary characters, particularly Tom Buchanan and Jordan Baker, added crucial depth to the story, revealing the era’s moral decay and the complexity of wealth and privilege. Each character felt well-rounded and multidimensional, and I could easily describe their personalities in a single sentence.
Atmosphere/Setting – 10/10
The setting was one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Fitzgerald painted the Roaring Twenties with dazzling vibrancy—the extravagant parties, the glittering lights of Gatsby’s mansion, and the eerie loneliness of the valley of ashes all created an intoxicating yet unsettling backdrop. I felt fully immersed in the world of old money, new money, and those left behind. The contrast between West Egg and East Egg sharpened the themes of class divide and moral decay, making the setting more than just a place—it was a living force within the novel.
Writing Style – 10/10
Fitzgerald’s prose was exquisite. Every sentence felt deliberate, lyrical, and full of meaning without ever feeling excessive. His ability to craft vivid imagery while maintaining an effortless flow made the novel a joy to read. The balance between dialogue and narration was perfect, and his word choices carried an emotional weight that lingered long after finishing the book. The way he weaved themes of longing, illusion, and disillusionment into the very fabric of the writing was masterful. Even if Fitzgerald had written in a completely different genre, I would still be drawn to his work purely for the beauty of his language.
Plot – 8/10
The plot was relatively simple, but its execution made it unforgettable. The story’s slow build toward Gatsby’s downfall was compelling, and the tragic inevitability of his fate gave it a haunting quality. However, because the novel was more about its themes and characters than major twists or high-stakes action, there were a few moments where the pacing felt slower. That said, the ending was immensely powerful and left a lasting impact. Everything felt meticulously crafted, and while there were no shocking twists, the story’s emotional weight made up for it.
Intrigue – 9/10
I was completely absorbed in the story from start to finish. Gatsby’s mysterious past, his relentless pursuit of Daisy, and the looming sense of inevitable tragedy kept me turning pages. The novel didn’t rely on constant action to maintain interest; instead, it built tension through its atmosphere, character dynamics, and symbolism. Even knowing the ultimate fate of Gatsby, I remained captivated by every conversation, every fleeting moment of hope, and every unraveling dream.
Logic/Relationships – 9/10
The relationships felt authentic and painfully real. Gatsby’s idealized love for Daisy was both romantic and tragic, highlighting the dangers of clinging to the past. Daisy’s shallow, self-preserving nature was frustrating, yet entirely believable given her privileged background. Tom’s brute arrogance and possessiveness were infuriating but made complete sense within the world Fitzgerald created. Every character acted in accordance with their personalities and societal roles, reinforcing the novel’s themes rather than feeling like forced plot devices. The world itself—the distinction between old and new money, the corruption beneath the glamour—was consistent and fully realized.
Enjoyment – 10/10
I absolutely loved The Great Gatsby. The novel was atmospheric, beautifully written, and emotionally profound. It was one of those books that left me with a sense of melancholy long after I turned the last page. Fitzgerald captured the illusion of the American Dream with devastating precision, making it as relevant today as it was in the 1920s. I would recommend this book without hesitation, both for its literary brilliance and for the sheer emotional experience it provides.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Suicide, Car accident
The novel contains themes of moral decay, unfulfilled dreams, and disillusionment, which contribute to its tragic and melancholic tone. While not graphic, these elements are integral to the story and may be emotionally heavy for some readers.
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Car accident, Murder
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2023: Re-read this book for my Classics Book Club. As always, we had a spirited discussion as to the themes of the book. However, I still did not enjoy reading it and I still hate all the characters - Gatsby is a con-man. Daisy is NOT a victim. Tom is still a horrible human being. Gatsby and Daisy's relationship is toxic AF. Daisy and Tom deserve each other and all their unhappiness. And Nick . . . This time around I really noticed something that I had forgotten from my first read, that Nick is our narrator, and he's a very unreliable one. He "thinks" he's above the superficial and vapid lifestyle of the rich and famous of East/West Egg, but he's in fact just like them. He just doesn't have the money.
2013: Intellectually, I can see why this book has remained a classic. It is a scathing social commentary on life in the 1920s, and maybe even specifically of upper class society in the northeast US. But emotionally, I despised Gatsby, and Tom, and Daisy, and Jordan and many of the other secondary characters so much that reading this book was more torture than pleasure. I had to force myself to finish this book (over 2.5 weeks!) just so I could say I have read it. And then F. Scott Fitzgerald's book will join the ranks of the classic American novels that I despise, i.e., every book ever written by his friend and contemporary, Ernest Hemingway.
2013: Intellectually, I can see why this book has remained a classic. It is a scathing social commentary on life in the 1920s, and maybe even specifically of upper class society in the northeast US. But emotionally, I despised Gatsby, and Tom, and Daisy, and Jordan and many of the other secondary characters so much that reading this book was more torture than pleasure. I had to force myself to finish this book (over 2.5 weeks!) just so I could say I have read it. And then F. Scott Fitzgerald's book will join the ranks of the classic American novels that I despise, i.e., every book ever written by his friend and contemporary, Ernest Hemingway.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Car accident, Gaslighting, Classism
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Gun violence, Racism
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Took until about page 140 for it to get interesting, but I did like the ending. Fitzgerald is a good writer, there are some beautiful sentences in there and he's good at writing flashbacks and other jumps through time. His characters are credible, but quite flat.
Ironically, Gatsby is presented as the mysterious one but you learn more about him than all other characters combined.
Ironically, Gatsby is presented as the mysterious one but you learn more about him than all other characters combined.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Violence, Antisemitism, Car accident, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism