Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - The Great Gatsby

I have read this book twice now for my upcoming A-Level English Literature exam and, having now read it once outside of the classroom, it's safe to say the text has really grown on me.

'The Great Gatsby' is one of those wonderfully cynical novels, reflective of the post-war literary time period in which it was written and published, where every character is deeply flawed. This even includes the narrator Nick, which I love because his role as the lens for the reader distorts our perception of the text - which is always an interesting dynamic.

Gatsby is definitely an irritating character in some respects due to his mannerisms and naïvety. His obsession towards Daisy is also quite uncomfortable in places however, this is counter-balanced as Fitzgerald drip feeds us background to their previous relationship throughout the novel. Nevertheless, the final chapter can't help but leave you feeling sorry for the character.

The hedonism, reflective of the time of writing, established by Fitzgerald is masterfully cut through with every character being violently thrust away from the serenity of carelessness into elements of despair - affected by the subsequent events of the novel.

What holds the rating back for me is I didn't find myself longing to delve back into the story as I do with my all-time favourite reads. However, this may well be due to the texts association to work, given my upcoming exam and motivation for re-reading the text, which will always sap some enjoyment out of reading. Therefore, I would interested in re-reading the text to see if my rating of the novel will improve once more.

Nevertheless an absolute classic that everyone should endeavour to read and enjoy.

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tifftastic87's review against another edition

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reflective sad slow-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

1.5

I genuinely don't understand how this book is one of the "great American novels." Maybe there is something to take away about how wealth is a disease or that being a socialite doesn't mean you are liked, likeable, or capable of friendship. But there has got to be a better way to do that then to tell the story of wealthy people getting drunk, complaining, fighting and running around on their spouses.

Nick, the narrator, reminds us so many times that hes one of the few honest men, that I fail to believe he is a reliable narrator at all.

Gatsby, whom we know so little about until the end, is honestly a man who is so stuck on the past when he "fell in love" with an 18 year old barely legal Daisy that he spent his whole life accumulating wealth to get her attention. He throws wild parties just to hope she'll come.

The women, Daisy and Jordan, are pretty much here for decoration and to be an object for the men to either fight over (Daisy) or be guided by (Jordan). The exception is Myrtle who is there to simply show you how horrible Tom is and for Nick to describe as fat and bossy.

She carried her surplus flesh sensuously as some women can.

Tom is a racist, white supremacist piece of garbage who cheats on his wife, abuses his mistress and just talks trash about everyone.

I disliked every single character in this book. I loathed every page. I am so glad I was never forced to read this in school.

Only giving it some credit for the accuracy in which Fitzgerald describes drunk people and the way he sets scenes.

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delz's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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

4.0

I’m so glad to have read the graphic novel of The Great Gatsby as opposed to reading the full novel. A novel that’s centered around rich, white, misogynistic men or if they’re not rich they’re lying criminals. The women aren’t much better in their selfish shallowness. The florid prose is a counter balance to the ugliness of the characters, but does nothing to make the story more palatable . I appreciated Aya Morton’s beautiful art. It actually helped to drive home how homogeneous the characters are represented.

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saliwali's review against another edition

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dark reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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paigeinabook's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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stroop's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I thoroughly hated every single character but the book was a great read

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caramelcopp's review against another edition

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challenging lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really loved this book, but I felt like it could have been more. It definitely serves it’s purpose well as a great American novel, but I feel as if it focuses too much on sharing commentary about America than telling an actual story.

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kamrynharned's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

A book that doesn’t leave you feeling enlightened or satisfied, but does leave you with a sense of awe. Incredibly written and captivating from the very beginning, even though the story itself isn’t exceptionally fast-paced or adventurous. Fitzgerald’s got a sense of humor that is evident in the book - maybe a sick sense of humor, but enjoyable none the less. His characters are crafted beautifully and are so life-like, and are each so different in their own way. From “gonegtions” to “old fellow”, you are made to feel like you really know each of them. To see Gatsby go from inspiring and elevated in his shroud of mystery to utterly pathetic was fascinating.

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