Book Review The Great Gatsby

Introduction

When I first picked up The Great Gatsby, I had already watched the movie with Leonardo DiCaprio. Still, reading the original novel felt special. There’s always something magical about holding a classic book in your hands. For readers like me, returning to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s own words feels richer than any movie scene.

As I started reading, I was drawn in by the beauty of the writing. The story felt sad yet full of life. I noticed how every sentence had rhythm and emotion. This post may contain affiliate links, but my thoughts come only from reading the book itself. The Great Gatsby is both beautiful and tragic. It shows how fragile dreams can be when hope and reality clash.

Overview of The Great Gatsby

This book is remembered for more than just famous lines. It’s a story about Jay Gatsby, his dreams, and how they fall apart. The narrator, Nick Carraway, moves to New York City in 1922 to learn the bond business. From his point of view, we meet Gatsby—a mysterious man known for his grand parties and deep secrets.

Through Nick’s cousin, Daisy Buchanan, and her tense marriage with Tom, the story explores love, obsession, and loss. When dreams collide with truth, hearts break. Even after reading many classics, I never feel like skimming this one. Each page feels alive with the rhythm of the Jazz Age.

Though the novel is short, only about 200 pages, it feels complete. Gatsby’s charm, Nick’s loyalty, and Tom’s arrogance build a world that stays in your mind. Fitzgerald paints every scene—whether it’s a shining party or a lonely street—with care and emotion. His storytelling proves why this book remains one of literature’s greatest works.

Death and Rebirth of Gatsby and Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby

In 1933, writer Gertrude Stein said Fitzgerald’s name would outlive his peers. At that time, his career seemed to be fading. His first book, This Side of Paradise, was a hit, selling over 50,000 copies. But his next one, The Beautiful and the Damned, disappointed critics even though it sold well.

Fitzgerald refused to give up. He poured his hopes into The Great Gatsby. It received praise from some critics, but the public didn’t buy many copies. The Jazz Age ended, and Fitzgerald’s fame began to fade.

The following years were hard. Zelda’s mental illness worsened, and Fitzgerald struggled to write. He released Tender Is the Night in 1934, but it didn’t do well. When he died from a heart attack in 1940, he was nearly forgotten.

But that wasn’t the end. After his death, friends and critics revived interest in his work. During World War II, The Great Gatsby was reprinted as part of the Armed Services Edition. More than 150,000 copies went to U.S. troops. That wave of new readers gave the book a second life. From then on, The Great Gatsby became a true American classic.

Characters Review of The Great Gatsby

Some readers find Jay Gatsby mysterious and distant, but that’s part of what makes him interesting. He represents the dreamer who builds a world around hope, even when it’s impossible.

The supporting characters bring balance to the story. Tom Buchanan is bold and cruel, while Daisy seems delicate yet selfish. Nick Carraway stays calm and loyal, observing everything. Together, they create tension that keeps readers turning pages.

These characters may seem simple at first, but each shows a side of ambition, love, and pride. Fitzgerald’s focus on personalities instead of complex plots makes the novel timeless. It’s their choices and flaws that make the story unforgettable.

Observations on Story and Themes

I remember reading this book on April Fool’s Day and thinking of Daisy’s wish to be “a beautiful little fool.” Through Nick, we see how society worships wealth but hides sadness underneath. The novel exposes how dreams built on money and status often collapse.

Each scene shows human weakness — the thirst for love, pride, and control. Gatsby’s ambition feels pure, yet it leads to his fall. Alcohol, jealousy, and self-deception shadow every bright party. Fitzgerald doesn’t just tell a story; he reveals the truth about how fragile people can be.

Nick also notes the dishonesty and expectations placed on women. Even though feminists fought for equality, women were still judged by how kind, patient, and beautiful they appeared. Characters like Daisy and Jordan reflect both power and limitation. They shape the story more than they admit.

The way Fitzgerald captures this imbalance reminds me of The Family Upstairs, another story where wealth hides pain. Both books show that behind glamour often lies deep emptiness.

Personal Reading Experience

I often skim through books, but The Great Gatsby always slows me down. Every line feels worth reading. The rhythm of the Jazz Age keeps me hooked.

Though it’s short, the novel feels whole. Gatsby’s charm, Nick’s quiet honesty, and Tom’s harsh pride make each chapter meaningful. The love between Gatsby and Daisy, and Tom’s cruel interference, give the book a timeless pull.

Fitzgerald’s writing is smooth and clear. Whether he describes a bright party or a dark street, his words stay in your mind. If I could recommend one classic to every reader, this would be it.

Literary Craft and Enduring Relevance

Since 1925, The Great Gatsby has stood as one of the greatest novels in American literature. It has sold over 30 million copies and remains a part of school reading lists across the world.

Book Magazine once ranked Jay Gatsby as the best character in 20th-century fiction, ahead of icons like Sherlock Holmes and Atticus Finch. The novel’s reach has grown through studies, essays, movies, and fan works.

During World War II, thousands of soldiers read it. They related to Gatsby’s hope, his loss, and his search for meaning. The story of James Gatz transforming into Jay Gatsby captures the idea of the self-made man and the cost of chasing dreams.

Fitzgerald connects ambition, love, and moral decay with the American Dream — themes that still fit today. A century later, people still chase success, beauty, and recognition, just like Gatsby did. With under 50,000 words, Fitzgerald created a story that feels both personal and universal. That’s why it remains powerful even now.

Gender and Social Commentary of The Great Gatsby

Nick reflects that dishonesty in a woman was overlooked in the jazz age, and even today many women are still forced into an image of being kind, empathetic, forgiving, patient, and beautiful. This unfair expectation existed in the 20’s, and although suffragettes and feminists fought for equal rights, old stereotypes remain. Yet, in some ways, the women appear stronger, shaping the story more than they are given credit for.

Characters like Daisy and Jordan live within those stereotypes but make no apologies for being themselves. They act as conformists on the surface, rarely questioned or challenged, while influencing the men in their lives without facing much disadvantage. Daisy’s cold-heartedness in dropping Gatsby and Jordan’s conversation left unfinished until later initiated by Nick highlight how these women navigate power and control within the world Fitzgerald created.

If you enjoy stories with obsession and blurred lines between truth and lies, Verity delivers that same haunting intensity. Like Gatsby’s world, it leaves you questioning what’s real and what’s carefully staged.

Summary/Final Thoughts

The Great Gatsby has been taught in American schools for decades, adapted into stage plays and movies, and is still praised as a cornerstone of American literature. While the book is a joy to read, with elegant prose, it didn’t press all my buttons because I prefer a stronger plot and richer characters with deeper personalities. For me, it earns a solid four, though I welcome different views and comments from others.