thelibraryofanolive's review against another edition
- 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? No
2.5
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: War, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Racism
faeriefox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Sexism, Death, Infidelity, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, and Antisemitism
charlotteih's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Alcohol, Gore, Domestic abuse, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Violence and Racism
paigeinabook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Classism, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Medical content, Murder, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcoholism, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Sexism, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
kaiden511's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Gore and Racism
lizzye33's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Though there were moments it was harder to understand or feel moved in the right ways, a writer has left me with their poet's heart that has moved mine so brilliantly that fireworks try to meet it but fool themselves that they can. I have always had a great appreciation for Fitzgerald, and though this is his first novel, I am certain I will continue enjoying his work. I love when I find a novel that moves so brilliantly with twists you may see coming but still move in a more powerful way that you can predict and even still surprise you. I love that it is told from Nick's perspective about a man written so perfectly that I wanted to meet him in person.
I am happy that I am older. I can overlook some of the content that would have been harder for me when I was younger, the first two chapters involving the characters getting drunk and smoking and other less-than-Christian activities that would have made me close the book never to pick up again, but I would have missed a story, unlike any novel I have yet to read.
It angers me a bit that the reason why students are to read it is to dissect the culture of the time, the perceptions like Tom had, the races, and monetary discipline, to contrast with greed, which, yes in the end, plays a part, but they miss the whole point when they look at it that way. The love story is a side angle to that regard, and I feel saddened for people who only would remember it as such because this story has a very beautiful tragic undertone which can only be enjoyed by the happy few that come about this on their own who wish to enjoy great literature as it should be.
I recommend this book, but only to those who will acknowledge the preface, do not take it too seriously, and can be prepared to see the world differently than they know now and even quite different than anyone might otherwise be prepared for.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Blood, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, War, and Body horror
jakeaboi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Car accident, Toxic relationship, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Infidelity, Gun violence, and Suicide
Minor: Antisemitism and Racism
jasminn_perez's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Car accident, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, and Racism
nickel_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Car accident, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, War, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol and Blood
Minor: Child abuse and Vomit
lectrixnoctis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Car accident, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Xenophobia