The Great Gatsby (Collins Classics)

Considered a classic, this is one of those books you feel compelled to read and whilst I had no idea what it was about, wanted to buy it as I find the 1920's a hugely fascinating decade. "The Great Gatsby" is deemed by many to define the "Jazz Age" yet I didn't feel that there was much within the writing that seemed so redolent of the period which mixed the conspicuous consumption of the 1980's with the hedonism of the 1960's. Even the references to jazz itself were limited to a few mentions of music drifting in through windows, the pseuso-jazz orchestral work performed at a party (a veiled reference to Darious Milhaud's "La creation du monde", perhaps?) and the lyrics of W C Handy's "Beale Street Blues." Other than this , there isn't a great deal that appears so indicative of the 1920's. It's not a particularly descripive book either - we have little idea of what Gatsby looks like other than his fondness for a pink suit. The book's appeal as a piece of nostalgia is also limited unless you were a millionaire at that time - odd to discover that home-sick American GI's in World War II were largely responsible for rescuing this book from oscurity 20 years after it was published. For a better book about the 1920's, I would recommend "Remembering Bix" by Ralph Berton which wonderfully evokes the music and cultural scene of that era as well as caputring the tragety of the times too. As far as the story itself, this stretches for 140 pages and effectively defines this as a novella. I was surprised that the book was so short ! Not a great deal happen and the principle characters are neither well defined nor particularly admirable. The incidents are few and far between with the story reaching it's tragic climax only towards the last third. For the most part, the beginning of the novel is simply a build up to the events which are ultimately predictable if a little bit melodramic. At the conclusion, Gatsby still remains elusive. In conclusion, I'm glad I read this book before seeing the new film but can't help thinking that this book's success has as much to do with it being written at the very point when American established it's own cultural identity as opposed to borrowing from Europe as it does with being a great piece of literature. Otherwise, I think it is difficult to account for the appeal of the book and the fact that it has prompted two films. Granted the language is frequently beautiful in parts yet, for a novel that is alleged to ache with nostalgia, it is not in the same class as something like L.P. Hartley's "The Go Between" or Alain-Fournier's "Le Grand Meulnes."

This book is a classic story beautifully written ~ very enjoyable, one of my favourite books to keep and read again.

Didn’t like the book, not sure why it’s a classic. Standard chain of events book that you would read for English GCSE. If you’re a reader that wants something more interesting, avoid. Good looking book and nice cover though

Fantastic classic!

Good product, quick delivery. Item as described.