The Great Gatsby

by F Scott Fitzgerald

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

Okay, so my original review of 1 star was probably a little prejudiced. I mean, even the best of books is soured a little when you have to read it while taking notes for a school essay? I also feel like I was not emotionally mature enough to appreciate The Great Gatsby when I was fifteen.

All that said, I still don't find this to be a remarkable novel? I have a bit more appreciation for satirical aspects of it, but The Great Gatsby is marketed most as a star-crossed romance. While it is this huge, easy romance... I just couldn't bring myself to care. The characters are so shallow and uninteresting that a bit like Nick, I cannot be bothered to be interested in Daisy and Gatsby or Tom and Myrtle or any of it.

And, yes, I do realize the irony of that. I realize that they are shallow on purpose. I understand and appreciate the fact that one of the aims of The Great Gatsby is to shine a light on the frivolous, self-interested nature of the 1%, but unfortunately it's still a novel as well, and the satirical choices took away from the the character design. And that's okay, because this novel still works for some people. I am just not those people. I need to feel attached to my characters, even if they are horrible people. Without that investment, I lose interest in the novel.

So - as I appreciate Fitzgerald's writing style a little more now (some of his word choices are exquisite) and I understand the purpose of the story a bit better, I'm raising my review from one star to three. It's still not a book I love - it's not even a book I like - but I can respect it a bit.

Oh. Except for all the racist crap Tom spouts? That's bullshit.
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Original Review (2005) - 1 Star