303. The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
1925
Around 200 pages

You'd be hard pressed to get through the American educational system without being forced to read this novel at some point. I understand why; English teachers are obsessed with the "American Dream" theme, and the symbolism is easy to digest. There's nothing like having to do a powerpoint on a novel to suck the fun out of it. 

Nick Carraway relates his interactions with the enigmatic millionaire Jay Gatsby, who is obsessed with reuniting with old flame Daisy. Nick teaches us all what an unreliable narrator is, and Daisy doesn't do a lot for female drivers. That summary would probably get me an F in an English class, but thankfully I am free from the tyranny of Socratic seminars.

When I think of the Roaring 20s, this is usually one of the first images that springs to mind. Fitzgerald certainly captured the setting brilliantly. The dynamics between the characters are rich for interpretation, but plots that hinge on misunderstandings are always a little irritating to me.

I liked Tender is the Night better, but this is a pretty great novel and one that everybody should read.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Inspired by Fitzgerald's affair with socialite Ginerva King and the parties he attended in Long Island.

Other titles considered were Among Ash Heaps and Millionaires, Trimalchio, Trimalchio in West Egg, On the Road to West Egg Under the Red, White, and Blue,The Gold-Hatted Gatsby and The High-Bouncing Lover.

Written after his Fitzgerald's play The Vegetable flopped.

UP NEXT: Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. An old favorite.