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jlebon's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
'The Great Gatsby' is one of those wonderfully cynical novels, reflective of the post-war literary time period in which it was written and published, where every character is deeply flawed. This even includes the narrator Nick, which I love because his role as the lens for the reader distorts our perception of the text - which is always an interesting dynamic.
Gatsby is definitely an irritating character in some respects due to his mannerisms and naïvety. His obsession towards Daisy is also quite uncomfortable in places however, this is counter-balanced as Fitzgerald drip feeds us background to their previous relationship throughout the novel. Nevertheless, the final chapter can't help but leave you feeling sorry for the character.
The hedonism, reflective of the time of writing, established by Fitzgerald is masterfully cut through with every character being violently thrust away from the serenity of carelessness into elements of despair - affected by the subsequent events of the novel.
What holds the rating back for me is I didn't find myself longing to delve back into the story as I do with my all-time favourite reads. However, this may well be due to the texts association to work, given my upcoming exam and motivation for re-reading the text, which will always sap some enjoyment out of reading. Therefore, I would interested in re-reading the text to see if my rating of the novel will improve once more.
Nevertheless an absolute classic that everyone should endeavour to read and enjoy.
Graphic: Car accident and Murder
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence and Suicide
tifftastic87'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
1.5
Nick, the narrator, reminds us so many times that hes one of the few honest men, that I fail to believe he is a reliable narrator at all.
Gatsby, whom we know so little about until the end, is honestly a man who is so stuck on the past when he "fell in love" with an 18 year old barely legal Daisy that he spent his whole life accumulating wealth to get her attention. He throws wild parties just to hope she'll come.
The women, Daisy and Jordan, are pretty much here for decoration and to be an object for the men to either fight over (Daisy) or be guided by (Jordan). The exception is Myrtle who is there to simply show you how horrible Tom is and for Nick to describe as fat and bossy.
She carried her surplus flesh sensuously as some women can.
Tom is a racist, white supremacist piece of garbage who cheats on his wife, abuses his mistress and just talks trash about everyone.
I disliked every single character in this book. I loathed every page. I am so glad I was never forced to read this in school.
Only giving it some credit for the accuracy in which Fitzgerald describes drunk people and the way he sets scenes.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Antisemitism, Car accident, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Toxic friendship
saliwali's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Misogyny, Violence, War, and Classism
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: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ashley_1206'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
guys i liked the great gatsby and i definitely think this a classic people should read. it was intriguing and had symbolism that you WANTED to discover the meaning for. i don’t regret reading this book at all!!
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Racism, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
sky_lar'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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
edwardian_girl_next_door's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Antisemitism and Stalking
chandrayisaacson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Antisemitism, Car accident, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
calamityin'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
1.5
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Car accident, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction, Incest, Antisemitism, and Grief
lauryn_04's review against another edition
- 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? No
2.0
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol