Classics Corner: The Great Gatsby

I should make an effort to read more beloved/hated classics. Not only do I feel literary and superior while reading them, but every so often I find a new love. This was the case with The Great Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby is told through the eyes and mind of Mr. Nick Carraway, a mild-mannered businessman that spent some time in Long Island, New York in the 20's. He bought himself an ordinary house that just happened to be right next door to Gatsby, a man that leads a life that is anything-but-ordinary. Then Nick's cousin Daisy comes into the picture and she's a terrible person and so is her husband, etc. I'm sure you've heard the rest, and if not then I won't spoil it for you. Suffice it to say that things transpire and bonds and morals are tested.

Nick's character didn't interest me much but I still found myself completely involved in his story. Even in the slow beginning when he was only talking about his past and Long Island and having boring and sometimes racist (thanks to that lovely gem of a man Tom) conversations with Daisy and Tom. Then Gatsby came in and I was HOOKED because I love it when characters have mysteries surrounding them.

But I hate it when characters are metaphors for things. Well, usually, because in this case I actually thought it worked. I can totally see Gatsby being a metaphor for the American dream and it doesn't bother me because he still felt like a full character.

What really made this book work for me, though, was Fitzgerald's writing. That writing that is so stupid-good that, as an aspiring writer, made me want to sing from the rooftops with joy that I have discovered it...and also bang my head against a table with woe because I will never be as good as this man.

I should also mention that I listened to The Great Gatsby on audiobook and it was a pretty great experience. Frank Muller has the classic sort of voice that makes it seem like he was narrating this story with a pipe in one hand as he sat next to a fire in a robe.

I definitely had my reservations before going into Fitzgerald's most popular novel The Great Gatsby, but I shouldn't have worried because I kinda loved it. Definitely recommended to people that want to read more classics but don't know where to start, because it's less than 200 pages and it's very very good.

Plot: Like a mild soap opera and I loved it.

Characters: I loved some. Hated others.

Writing: SO GOOD.

Ending: Um, the audio started to skip so it kinda ruined the shock factor a little. It was still good.

Content: Some swearing and mentions of sex as well as death and drinking and such.

Overall:

Shut up I am listening to a great audiobook.

I didn't expect to like this one very much but I really did. I need more of Fitzgerald's writing in my life.