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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Purple Koala

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - review

F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (Penguin Modern Classics)

The Great Gatsby is set in 1920s America, named the 'Jazz Age' by Fitzgerald, in the west and east eggs, a train's ride from New York. If this romantic setting and glamorous era hasn't already enticed you into reading this book, hopefully this will.

It is a matter of chance that Nick Carraway moves into the neighbouring house to Jay Gatsby, the exuberant character who is always throwing the most divine parties in his mansion. Across the bay is his dazzling cousin, Daisy Buchanan and her husband Tom.

Rumour has it that Gatsby isn't as 'great' as he seems. They say he killed a man. Never went to Oxford. What exactly is his line of work? Who is this character that no one truly knows? Nick is enveloped into Jay's world of colour and passion, gaudiness and extraversion, while still the question remains - who is this enigma?

When Gatsby's love for Daisy is revealed we see a new side of this man. What does his love mean, and where will it take them? Nick is carried along with Gatsby's endeavours, and one of the most powerful aspects of this book is how strongly we feel for the characters, good or bad.

You will be swept away into this life of twists, love and betrayal and finally arrive at the crucial point of this famous novel – how sweet is the American Dream, and is Gatsby truly 'great'?

• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.

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