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A review by jennifermreads
The Great Gatsby: The Graphic Novel by Fred Fordham, F. Scott Fitzgerald
4.0
The Great Gatsby is one of my all-time favorites. So, to read an adaptation? Well, I was reluctant. But I won a copy in a Shelf Awareness/Library Journal giveaway (that I don’t ever remember entering!). And, my reading slump feels so overwhelming at this point, a graphic novel was a good way to at least jump-start some kind of reading.
Despite the “pared down” bit that is necessary in a graphic novel format, I still felt like I was reading Fitzgerald’s work. Text adaptor Fred Fordham did a masterful job using just-the-right-bits of Fitzgerald’s gorgeous, lyrical prose. I knew this was an A#1 work when I had the same emotions, tingles, love that I do when reading the original work.
My only qualm was the artwork. While I loved the muted coloring, I was increasingly frustrated with the way-too-similar male characters. During the scene in the Plaza, I actually had to reread and really look to see who was who. Not good. It took me out of the story. And, I have read the source material. Can you imagine the struggle for someone who is reading the story for the first time?
Then, after looking at Fred Fordham’s website and seeing he did the complete adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, I wonder why he did not do this one as well. The foreword by Fitzgerald’s great-great-granddaughter offered an explanation: a long, exhaustive search for the artist. But did the exhaustive search include Fordham’s work? I’m just puzzled.
So, despite the artwork hiccup, I would highly recommend this graphic novel. I thank Mr. Fordham for giving me a beautiful work to, hopefully, ease myself out of a reading slump.
Despite the “pared down” bit that is necessary in a graphic novel format, I still felt like I was reading Fitzgerald’s work. Text adaptor Fred Fordham did a masterful job using just-the-right-bits of Fitzgerald’s gorgeous, lyrical prose. I knew this was an A#1 work when I had the same emotions, tingles, love that I do when reading the original work.
My only qualm was the artwork. While I loved the muted coloring, I was increasingly frustrated with the way-too-similar male characters. During the scene in the Plaza, I actually had to reread and really look to see who was who. Not good. It took me out of the story. And, I have read the source material. Can you imagine the struggle for someone who is reading the story for the first time?
Then, after looking at Fred Fordham’s website and seeing he did the complete adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, I wonder why he did not do this one as well. The foreword by Fitzgerald’s great-great-granddaughter offered an explanation: a long, exhaustive search for the artist. But did the exhaustive search include Fordham’s work? I’m just puzzled.
So, despite the artwork hiccup, I would highly recommend this graphic novel. I thank Mr. Fordham for giving me a beautiful work to, hopefully, ease myself out of a reading slump.