Scan barcode
agatha_hopkins's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Alcohol
Minor: Stalking and Sexual content
lizzye33's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
At first, I wanted to read this because I had lost the opportunity to read this with the other students in my school when I moved. I have always looked forward to what is to come, especially in education, looking forward to when I would learn and create what others would ahead of me but in my own way. When we read Romeo and Juliet, though it was painful for all the others, I fell in love with literature far more deeply than I already had begun; especially set in a time when romanticism seemed more tangible than most can perceive in everyday life in the present. Though I had been warned it was not a story for me with some content less than charming, I have been left with a feeling I can only compare to leaving the theater feeling hope as if given to you by the character and the author themselves in their stead with hope for your own story. You walk in bliss and deep thought and see the world a little brighter, not as it is, but as it could be.
Though there were moments it was harder to understand or feel moved in the right ways, a writer has left me with their poet's heart that has moved mine so brilliantly that fireworks try to meet it but fool themselves that they can. I have always had a great appreciation for Fitzgerald, and though this is his first novel, I am certain I will continue enjoying his work. I love when I find a novel that moves so brilliantly with twists you may see coming but still move in a more powerful way that you can predict and even still surprise you. I love that it is told from Nick's perspective about a man written so perfectly that I wanted to meet him in person.
I am happy that I am older. I can overlook some of the content that would have been harder for me when I was younger, the first two chapters involving the characters getting drunk and smoking and other less-than-Christian activities that would have made me close the book never to pick up again, but I would have missed a story, unlike any novel I have yet to read.
It angers me a bit that the reason why students are to read it is to dissect the culture of the time, the perceptions like Tom had, the races, and monetary discipline, to contrast with greed, which, yes in the end, plays a part, but they miss the whole point when they look at it that way. The love story is a side angle to that regard, and I feel saddened for people who only would remember it as such because this story has a very beautiful tragic undertone which can only be enjoyed by the happy few that come about this on their own who wish to enjoy great literature as it should be.
I recommend this book, but only to those who will acknowledge the preface, do not take it too seriously, and can be prepared to see the world differently than they know now and even quite different than anyone might otherwise be prepared for.
Though there were moments it was harder to understand or feel moved in the right ways, a writer has left me with their poet's heart that has moved mine so brilliantly that fireworks try to meet it but fool themselves that they can. I have always had a great appreciation for Fitzgerald, and though this is his first novel, I am certain I will continue enjoying his work. I love when I find a novel that moves so brilliantly with twists you may see coming but still move in a more powerful way that you can predict and even still surprise you. I love that it is told from Nick's perspective about a man written so perfectly that I wanted to meet him in person.
I am happy that I am older. I can overlook some of the content that would have been harder for me when I was younger, the first two chapters involving the characters getting drunk and smoking and other less-than-Christian activities that would have made me close the book never to pick up again, but I would have missed a story, unlike any novel I have yet to read.
It angers me a bit that the reason why students are to read it is to dissect the culture of the time, the perceptions like Tom had, the races, and monetary discipline, to contrast with greed, which, yes in the end, plays a part, but they miss the whole point when they look at it that way. The love story is a side angle to that regard, and I feel saddened for people who only would remember it as such because this story has a very beautiful tragic undertone which can only be enjoyed by the happy few that come about this on their own who wish to enjoy great literature as it should be.
I recommend this book, but only to those who will acknowledge the preface, do not take it too seriously, and can be prepared to see the world differently than they know now and even quite different than anyone might otherwise be prepared for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Blood, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, War, and Body horror
pelledorso's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Car accident, Grief, Alcohol, Death, and Infidelity
Moderate: Classism, Alcoholism, Gun violence, and Racism
Minor: Xenophobia, War, Racial slurs, and Antisemitism
audriew9's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Car accident, and Alcoholism
tinybluepixel's review against another edition
mysterious
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
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Murder, Car accident, Death, and Infidelity
nexon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Domestic abuse, and Death
Moderate: Alcoholism and Infidelity
Minor: Gun violence
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was my first time reading "The Great Gatsby", but I did go to see the movie adaptation in theatres when it first came out, so I am not unfamiliar with this story. It is fun to read a classic that is set a little closer to the present day.
"The Great Gatsby" follows a young man named Nick Carraway. Nick unknowingly moves into a modest house next to Jay Gatsby's mansion. Nick quickly befriends Gatsby and becomes one of his closest confidants. Nick also helps to reunite Gatsby and Daisy. Daisy is Nick's cousin, and she is married to another man, but she has a past with Gatsby that Gatsby has never gotten over.
"The Great Gatsby" explores how someone can be seemingly adored in life, everyone trying to be close to the shining star and get a taste of "the good life" but when it comes down to it, they were not "real friends". Gatsby built his fortune mysteriously and has surrounded himself with people who seem to love him, but they seem to use him for their own notoriety more than anything. I loved seeing how Gatsby had an electric personality that brought him everything he wanted, except the one true thing that would make him happy. Gatsby is also a morally gray character; you want to root for him, but you also do not agree with his decisions. His complexity makes him intoxicating.
This is a wonderfully written classic that is very approachable and easy to read.
"The Great Gatsby" follows a young man named Nick Carraway. Nick unknowingly moves into a modest house next to Jay Gatsby's mansion. Nick quickly befriends Gatsby and becomes one of his closest confidants. Nick also helps to reunite Gatsby and Daisy. Daisy is Nick's cousin, and she is married to another man, but she has a past with Gatsby that Gatsby has never gotten over.
"The Great Gatsby" explores how someone can be seemingly adored in life, everyone trying to be close to the shining star and get a taste of "the good life" but when it comes down to it, they were not "real friends". Gatsby built his fortune mysteriously and has surrounded himself with people who seem to love him, but they seem to use him for their own notoriety more than anything. I loved seeing how Gatsby had an electric personality that brought him everything he wanted, except the one true thing that would make him happy. Gatsby is also a morally gray character; you want to root for him, but you also do not agree with his decisions. His complexity makes him intoxicating.
This is a wonderfully written classic that is very approachable and easy to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Murder, Hate crime, Gun violence, Blood, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
rory_john14's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Racism, Misogyny, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction, Classism, Domestic abuse, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, War, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Antisemitism, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Hate crime, and Body horror
littlebookaddict's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
this book (and movie) made me so stressed. Don’t get me wrong it was good, but for some reason the whole Gatsby + Daisy dynamic always made my head spin and i was constantly like concerned for it. then the ending was entirely sad, but it made sense for the era and i feel it was an important reflection of how people will use you until you have nothing left. that the only real people in you life are your immediate family and your closest friend. Also, there’s quite a bit of racism throughout the book so fair warning. i know that it was normal but it’s still a bit much to have to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Alcoholism
Moderate: Racism, Toxic friendship, Infidelity, and Gun violence
sophiejo_'s review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
no spoilers 🧸
this is the first book from ap lang that i actually finished if that helps at all haha. it was actually really good though! i love the narrator nick, and fitzgerald’s prose is so lovely to read about but still isn’t overly descriptive that i’m bored which is impressive. (tbh the impressive thing is that i could UNDERSTAND half of the things he said w out cliff notes ahhha)
the annoying thing about this book is that the characters were intentionally unlikeable except for like 2.5 so it was hard to read bc i’m a huge character reader. however, with nick narrating and daisy being the QUEEN she is i could get through it better than if it was just awful characters loll.
but overall, great study on sexist rich people who don’t deserve driver’s licenses (if they even had those then) who also may or may not have a stick up their ***😌😭.
🤎 trigger warnings
really not many, just infidelity ofc and then maybe alcoholism? martial abuse? rather mild though.
i can’t pick a favorite quote ahhh but there were so many good ones and ofc the ending paragraph was ICONIQUE. props to you fitz 😫
this is the first book from ap lang that i actually finished if that helps at all haha. it was actually really good though! i love the narrator nick, and fitzgerald’s prose is so lovely to read about but still isn’t overly descriptive that i’m bored which is impressive. (tbh the impressive thing is that i could UNDERSTAND half of the things he said w out cliff notes ahhha)
the annoying thing about this book is that the characters were intentionally unlikeable except for like 2.5 so it was hard to read bc i’m a huge character reader. however, with nick narrating and daisy being the QUEEN she is i could get through it better than if it was just awful characters loll.
but overall, great study on sexist rich people who don’t deserve driver’s licenses (if they even had those then) who also may or may not have a stick up their ***😌😭.
🤎 trigger warnings
really not many, just infidelity ofc and then maybe alcoholism? martial abuse? rather mild though.
i can’t pick a favorite quote ahhh but there were so many good ones and ofc the ending paragraph was ICONIQUE. props to you fitz 😫
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Alcoholism