Book Review - The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is considered to be an American classic. I got to read it again as part of my weekly assignment for the college class I'm taking. I found the book an easy read thanks to Fitzgerald's writing style. The words flow easily and smoothly so reading the novel was a pleasure instead of a torture. Another plus to the book is that it only has 188 pages. It won't take you many hours to read the book. Yet, for its short length, the book packs a lot into it. Fitzgerald does a great job of describing the Roaring 20's era. No other writer I think is so readily identified with that era. The story is of Jay Gatsby and his love for Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby is the American dream gone wrong. In his ambition and desire to acquire wealth quickly, he shows no qualms in breaking the law. We learn that Gatsby has been involved in bootlegging and stolen securities. Gatsby is in fact thoroughly corrupt and yet, he is equally charming. He also has a great and beautiful dream of getting back the girl (Daisy) that he won and lost. Gatsby doesn't realize that in his get rich quick by illegal means, he has doomed his chances of winning Daisy. He also doesn't realize just how weak the love of his life is. When Daisy finds out how Gatsby attained his wealth, she is shocked. Later, she abandons Gatsby preferring to stay with her two-timing husband Thomas Buchanan. Gatsby death by the duped Mr. Wilson who believes he killed his wife is tragic for it is Daisy, the woman he loves that killed Mr. Wilson's wife and Tom Buchanan's mistress. Gatsby pays the price his love should've paid who in turn betrayed him. It is a sad end to a fascinating character.

Overall, the book is worthy of its reputation as a classic. It is an easy and fascinating read. If you want a piece that so aptly portrays the Roaring 20's era, you won't go wrong with The Great Gatsby.