The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald · Psychological Fiction
F. Scott Fitzgerald's haunting portrait of the American Dream and its disillusionment.
F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel is a haunting exploration of the American Dream set in the glittering excess of 1920s New York. The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young Midwesterner who moves to Long Island and becomes fascinated by his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, a wealthy and enigmatic man who throws lavish parties. As Nick delves into Gatsby's world, he discovers that Gatsby's fortune is built on questionable means and that his entire life is dedicated to winning back the love of Daisy Buchanan, a married woman from his past. The Great Gatsby is a poignant commentary on the emptiness of material success and the tragedy of pursuing an impossible dream.
Highlights
- Lyrical, beautiful prose that enchants
- Haunting portrait of the Jazz Age
- Memorable characters that linger
- Powerful exploration of disillusionment
- Iconic scenes that have become cultural touchstones
Why read it
- A defining work of the Jazz Age that captures the spirit of the 1920s
- Fitzgerald's lyrical prose is breathtakingly beautiful
- Explores the emptiness beneath material wealth and excess
Related classics
- Crime and Punishment — Fyodor Dostoyevsky
- Eloisa : or, A series of original letters — Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Pride and Prejudice — Jane Austen
- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland — Lewis Carroll