The Great Gatsby

Title: The Great Gatsby

Author:  F. Scott Fitzgerald

Copyright: 1925

Summary: The book takes place on Long Island, New York after the First World War. The story (which is NOT told from the perspective of Gatsby), basically describes the efforts of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, in his pursuit of the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, an old flame of Gatsby, who has since married another man.

My Opinion: First of all, I learned that F. Scott Fitzgerald was related to Francis Scott Key and his real name is Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald. Other than that neat trivia gem, this book was just okay for me. I had heard really great things about it and was very excited to read it. I will admit that it is a well-written story but at first I was at a loss to explain why this book is a classic. After thinking about it, I do see the appeal (or at least I know what I’ve gained from reading the book). I would recommend the book, if for nothing else, to have read a classic. But I do see this book almost as a cautionary tale. Most of the characters in the book seem to be very unhappy. I believe there is a direct correlation between their lifestyles and each characters level of happiness. They desire pleasure in all forms, including wealth, luxury, alcohol, immorality and Gatsby’s extravagant parties. In the end, as I said, this was a good story, but for me, it is beneficial because it is lesson about what NOT to do.