...is the 20th century classic written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It didn't achieve immediate success, but as time went on gained popularity, and is now regarde as one of the last centurys greatest works.
The edition i read was published by "Wordsworth classics", and features a foreword written by Guy Renolds. His foreword is an interesting read, but for any reader, no matter what edition, i reccomend reading the foreword last, and enjoy the book first.
But when I now share insights, it will be as a mesh between my own findings, and that of Mr. Renolds.
What will surely strike any reader, his how lyrical and beautifully the book is written. Every sentence (perhaps with two or three expeptions) is as well formed and seemingly as meditated as if they were in a poem.
The descriptions oftentimes seem as if they seek to copy the impressionist painter, layout out each scene with descriptions of how the light falls. This creates a very vivid image in the mind - contributing to the overall mood of the situation. The reason I used scene, is that the location is often very well described, and then the action takes place within it as if a scene was played out. This bit by bit approach to the story makes it easy to remember, and the change in the characters between situations is often very well defined. Though the characters use a very polight language, their intentions shine through. At times a more direct analysis is given by the main character, which aptly describes and analyses all of those in the book. More often than not, these insights have come to you as you read the book, but only if you spend time thinking about the plot.
The image above is the one on the original cover. It was ordered especially for this book. Fitzgerald was so happy with it, that he "incorporated it into the book". It is unclar in exactly what manner he did it. One theory is that the eyes on the cover are an image of Jay Gatsby's love interest. Notice however how the light practically explodes from Manhattan.
It is not a difficult read, and manages to portray interesting characters in an interesting way.
I sincerely reccomend it to anyone remotely interested in modernity, poetry, humanity and beauty.
