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chaptersofmay 's review for:
Nick
by Michael Farris Smith
Nick, the narrator of The Great Gatsby, finally gets his own prequel thanks to Michael Farris Smith’s bold imagination. The book recounts the protagonist’s life, covering childhood memories, the turbulent years of war, and his days before moving next door to meeting Gatsby.
Michael Farris Smith has vivid writing style that pairs perfectly with the book’s themes of love, loss, friendship and heartbreak. The diversely evocative descriptions, especially during Nick’s time in the war, made for a really exciting few chapters amongst the entertaining plot.
I really like how the author uses Nick’s traumatic experiences to highlight how history can continue to affect us in the present. The glimpses of his childhood and unfiltered emotion added a nuanced layer to this beloved narrator. After reading this book, I feel like I know Nick Carraway much better.
The Great Gatsby is one of my all-time favourite novels. And it’s the sole reason I chose to pick up this book. Nick certainly has dazzle, but it doesn’t shine nearly as bright as The Great Gatsby. I think part of this lies with the third-person narrative, and part with the slower pace. Fitzgerald expertly mixes melancholy with exuberance in The Great Gatsby, and while Nick has both its jazz and gloom, it’s not quite the same. Of course, I don’t expect the two books to be identical, but this difference was noticeable for me.
Still, Nick is a compelling book I’m glad I took the time to read. However, I think it would be better suited to a standalone read, as the iconic shadow of The Great Gatsby had an immense impact on my high expectations.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
Michael Farris Smith has vivid writing style that pairs perfectly with the book’s themes of love, loss, friendship and heartbreak. The diversely evocative descriptions, especially during Nick’s time in the war, made for a really exciting few chapters amongst the entertaining plot.
I really like how the author uses Nick’s traumatic experiences to highlight how history can continue to affect us in the present. The glimpses of his childhood and unfiltered emotion added a nuanced layer to this beloved narrator. After reading this book, I feel like I know Nick Carraway much better.
The Great Gatsby is one of my all-time favourite novels. And it’s the sole reason I chose to pick up this book. Nick certainly has dazzle, but it doesn’t shine nearly as bright as The Great Gatsby. I think part of this lies with the third-person narrative, and part with the slower pace. Fitzgerald expertly mixes melancholy with exuberance in The Great Gatsby, and while Nick has both its jazz and gloom, it’s not quite the same. Of course, I don’t expect the two books to be identical, but this difference was noticeable for me.
Still, Nick is a compelling book I’m glad I took the time to read. However, I think it would be better suited to a standalone read, as the iconic shadow of The Great Gatsby had an immense impact on my high expectations.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram