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k_winchester's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Actually, surprisingly good!
I say that because in general for me personally, I've found that most "classics" I've read are not for me at all for one reason or another, so when I started reading this, I did expect not to really enjoy it, despite it being crazy popular and often called one of the greatest novels of all time.
I really did enjoy the way this was written - the use of language and phrasing was often just delicious. It's frequently very flowery and stylistic, some lines need a reread to catch the meaning, but there is really, really lovely way about so much of it. So much of it alludes to what's under the surface without saying it (soo well done) and there's so much lovely, really unique phrasing (I wish I had jotted down good examples, but towards the end, there's a bit like "the phone book splashed to the floor" - obviously the book isn't liquid, but it gives such a perfect visual of the book falling open and pages splaying, etc).
The characters were... not great, pretty shallow/flat, and ultimately all pretty terrible people one way or another. I fail to see, at all, why Gatsby was into Daisy, as she seemed almost entirely flaky and avoid-y. The way the characters are written is the most interesting part, as in the way they are physically described, thier actions, tone, body language, etc.
By the end, it becomes pretty clear that the whole thing is pretty much about shallow rich people keeping up appearances while being largely shallow and rich, but letting you THINK for a while that that's not what it is. I don't know if it's specifically classed as a tragedy, but it definitely is. It's certainly not uplifting or satisfying - it's sad and definitely tragic.
When Gatsby dies, essentially because of Daisy, after spending years basically changing his entire life and molding himself in order to "be worthy" of Daisy, after spending years throwing lavish parties and being this popular mystery man (and some secret crime to get money fast), and she is careless/cowardly and he covers for her without second thought... but then *no one*, not even Daisy, goes to his funeral? I mean, there's not really any way to feel except disheartened when closing the book with that ending.
I'm glad it was short, because pretty though the writing was, I don't think I could have read something double length in the same style or it would've gotten exhausting. I'm glad I read it, I enjoyed it well enough, but I also don't really think it totally deserves the legendary status it has.
(BUT I also doubt that *anything* listed semi-universally on the "greatest novels of all time" list could really live up to that kind of status/hype either, and without a historical deep dive, it can be hard to pinpoint the influence many of those famous classics have had.)
Anyways, tl;dr: a legendary classic that was actually enjoyable to read. 👍
I say that because in general for me personally, I've found that most "classics" I've read are not for me at all for one reason or another, so when I started reading this, I did expect not to really enjoy it, despite it being crazy popular and often called one of the greatest novels of all time.
I really did enjoy the way this was written - the use of language and phrasing was often just delicious. It's frequently very flowery and stylistic, some lines need a reread to catch the meaning, but there is really, really lovely way about so much of it. So much of it alludes to what's under the surface without saying it (soo well done) and there's so much lovely, really unique phrasing (I wish I had jotted down good examples, but towards the end, there's a bit like "the phone book splashed to the floor" - obviously the book isn't liquid, but it gives such a perfect visual of the book falling open and pages splaying, etc).
The characters were... not great, pretty shallow/flat, and ultimately all pretty terrible people one way or another. I fail to see, at all, why Gatsby was into Daisy, as she seemed almost entirely flaky and avoid-y. The way the characters are written is the most interesting part, as in the way they are physically described, thier actions, tone, body language, etc.
By the end, it becomes pretty clear that the whole thing is pretty much about shallow rich people keeping up appearances while being largely shallow and rich, but letting you THINK for a while that that's not what it is. I don't know if it's specifically classed as a tragedy, but it definitely is. It's certainly not uplifting or satisfying - it's sad and definitely tragic.
I'm glad it was short, because pretty though the writing was, I don't think I could have read something double length in the same style or it would've gotten exhausting. I'm glad I read it, I enjoyed it well enough, but I also don't really think it totally deserves the legendary status it has.
(BUT I also doubt that *anything* listed semi-universally on the "greatest novels of all time" list could really live up to that kind of status/hype either, and without a historical deep dive, it can be hard to pinpoint the influence many of those famous classics have had.)
Anyways, tl;dr: a legendary classic that was actually enjoyable to read. 👍
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Car accident
Minor: Gun violence and Sexual content
kubs's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Just move on dude
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Infidelity, Racism, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Alcohol
willbefunorelse's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Car accident, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Antisemitism, and Classism
Minor: Xenophobia
miriam0102's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Murder, and Alcohol
whoisrois's review against another edition
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Pretty good I guess, very smooth prose
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Suicide
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Antisemitism, Alcohol, and Classism
archiveofrasa's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I never read this in school (I went to a private school on scholarship so of course they wouldn't make us read it) but in a way I'm glad I hadn't because I doubt I would've appreciated it then. I loved the prose and the voice, there is a level of "unrealness" to it, especially in the more action-driven parts of the story, which I felt really enhanced its themes and what it was trying to say, although it did make it a bit difficult to know what was going on. had to LitChart bits every now and then but I don't think that ruined the reading process for me! really fascinating look on old vs new money
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Infidelity, and Car accident
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Antisemitism
Minor: Gun violence, Murder, and War
sandwiiche's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
fitzgerald's writing is full of symbolism and lyrical beauty. it's a good piece of work, with some rather nasty characters. i definitely appreciate this book more because i graduated high school... i know for sure i would've found this a bore back then 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Car accident
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
toast_renumeration's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, and Car accident
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Racism, Suicide, and War
bethanwx's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A damnation of the American Dream through the eyes of an unreliable, hard to pin down narrator. Nick is just as much of a mystery as Gatsby, changing his mind about people, judging yet connecting himself to some awful people, including the racist and abusive Tom.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Car accident
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Antisemitism, and Alcohol
theangelssing's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Boy, what a journey! I never read this book even though I’ve heard a lot about it. I never thought the story would end like this and I’m quite shocked. Not sure if I loved this book, but it was really great to read.
Don’t hesitate to read it y’all!
Don’t hesitate to read it y’all!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, and Car accident
Moderate: Alcohol