Product Description
Noted Fitzgerald biographer Matthew J. Bruccoli draws upon years of research to present the Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age romance exactly as he intended according to the original manuscript, revisions, and corrections–with explanatory notes. Reprint.Amazon.com Review
In 1922, F. Scott Fitzgerald announced his decision to write “something new–something extraordinary and beautiful and simple + intricately patterned.” That extraordinary, beautiful, intricately patterned, and above all, simple novel became The Great Gatsby, arguably Fitzgerald’s finest work and certainly the book for which he is best known. A portrait of the Jazz Age in all of its decadence and excess, Gatsby captured the spirit of … More >>
Comments
Tom Buchanan is the super-rich, unforgivingly prejudiced symbol of white manly strength and perfection. He can’t stand the thought of mixed relationships, “next thing they’ll have intermarriage between blacks and whites” (p.137). Oddly enough Fitzgerald gives Tom that line to describe the significance of the suspected extra marital affair between his wife Daisy and Gatsby. Was he inferring that becuz Gatsby was not a European white (Tom refers to himself and his crowd as Nordics) he was doomed to fall?
Tom’s a avid reader of white power literature alluding to the authors as “scientists”. He warns everyone that ‘coloured’ races will take over if left unchecked. Airheaded Daisy (the rich and of course white object of Gatsby’s affection) agrees, remarking admiringly, “Tom’s..very profound”.
Tom also chooses the underdog to conduct an illicit affair–his mechanic’s wife, Myrtle. Of course Tom goes unpunished for his adulterous behaviour while Myrtle is killed in a hit and run, courtesy of Daisy, who also gets off unscathed. Gatsby takes the fall for her.
James Gatz is of course a Jewish name, which Gatsby changed in his late teens showing his own shame for his ethnicity. Of course the shifty Jewish criminal, Mr. Wolfsheim has a poor command of the English language. Nick, the narrator mocks his versions of “Oggsford” for Oxford and “goneggtion” for connection.
At the end the poorest people are wiped out, the mechanic and his cheating wife (for whom Tom sheds a hypocritical crocodile tear). Narrator Nick refers to the mechanic’s death as “the holocaust”.
Can’t say I enjoyed this novel, Gatsby fell in foolish love with a high-maintenance, forbidden woman because she was white, full of money and the fineries that went with it. It wasn’t a pure love story. In the end Gatsby paid with his life while Tom and Daisy (who I’ll call a spineless murderess for not admitting to anyone her responsibility in the manslaughter of Myrtle) continue their high lifestyle scot-free.
Was Fitzgerald trying to say the underclass doesn’t have or deserve a chance in hell?
Rating: 2 / 5
it has no purpose…..its a hard to read
boring book!?!?!? i dont find it that interesting…
but i have to read it for school so what can you do?
Rating: 1 / 5
when i looked at reviews for this many people said this was a classic and a must read. please! this book was one of the worst things i have ever read. i personally had no desire to read about spoiled rich people who had problems. omg i really had no sympathy for any of the characters, especially Gatsby. honestly, he had it coming. i’m sure a lot of older people will enjoy this book but if your under 21 i’d stay far far away
Rating: 1 / 5
Hey everyone! Lookit me! I’m a rich little snot and I can throw a big party in my mansion! What’s “great” about this Gabsty fellow exactly? Write something about people who work for a living, not this junk.
I didn’t like this one little bit, sorry. Try again. Only one star for your book, sir!
Rating: 1 / 5
Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring! Boring!
Rating: 1 / 5