The Great Gatsby

by F Scott Fitzgerald

[clementine]

At first this book can just read like "white people arguing a lot" - people who aren't particularly likeable, either. Daisy is mildly charming but too vapid to be really likeable; Gatsby's obsession with Daisy is pathetic; Nick is too bland to like particularly. Tom is obviously despicable, but I thought he was a great character because he personifies the American dream and a lot of what's wrong with it.

The Great Gatsby is layered in imagery and symbolism, and it makes for an interesting read. The actual plot isn't particularly innovative or exciting (endless parties don't make for a fantastic plot, really), but reading between the lines reveals very interesting commentary on the American dream and the culture of excess that the 1920s saw (and that of course is still very much an issue today).

I wouldn't say this is one of my favourite books, because I honestly didn't find it terribly engaging (though it came together well at the end), but the layers of meaning were very interesting and I think it would be wroth a re-read, as I think it's certainly the type of book that reveals more and more as you read it. I did really enjoy the textured descriptions of the time period, something which I think helped keep my interest throughout party after party full of white people arguing.

I'll definitely have to read The Great Gatsby again when I get a chance - I read it quickly and I'd like to take more time reading it to try to tease out more meaning. I'll probably enjoy it more the second time, too, because I always do.