I read this novel in school – I am sure that is the same for a multitude of people – and I enjoyed it and thought it was very decadent and sophisticated. Reading it now I realise just how much I missed the first time round.
Here is the book description …
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s third book, stands as the supreme achievement of his career. This exemplary novel of the Jazz Age has been acclaimed by generations of readers. The story of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, of lavish parties on Long Island at a time when The New York Times noted “gin was the national drink and sex the national obsession,” it is an exquisitely crafted tale of America in the 1920s.
The Great Gatsby is one of the great classics of twentieth-century literature.
I’m not going to write too much about this novel because you can find much better reviews elsewhere. What I noticed this time was how sad this novel is – none of the characters have happy lives; Gatsby is creating himself in the image he thinks Daisy wants, Daisy is married to a philanderer, Tom is bored, Myrtle is also bored and looking for adventure, etc. The other thing I noticed was how beautifully written it was – not a wasted word. I think this is definitely worth a re-read before the film is released.
More information …
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gatsby
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/literature/great-gatsby/at-a-glance.html
http://larasbookclub.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/review-the-great-gatsby/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jun/10/great-gatsby-fitzgerald-jay-mcinerney