Union Times
If you haven’t heard of the F. Scot Fitzgerald’s timeless Classic The Great Gatsby, you may have watched or heard of the 2012 movie adaptation starring Titanic heart-throb Leonardo De Caprio and Spider-Man’s Toby Maguire, just to name a few. Maybe you’ve heard of people throwing Gatsby-style parties. Those glittering flapper dresses and headbands were everywhere at one point. I’ve even worn one before and I loved it.
TGG is definitely on my list of best books and it’s probably my most favourite book. Now, I know some of you yawn at the thought of reading a classic- it puts you straight to sleep. But here me out. This 1920s tragic yet brilliant book needs to be on your shelf…or mobile phone, and here are 5 reasons why you should read this fantastic piece of literature.
Ordinary Man Rises to The Top
Gatsby is by no means perfect; he is simply a man with a dream. Although Gatsby’s aspirations eventually destroys him, you’ve got to admire his tenacity. I just wish that he wasn’t so determined to rebuild his life for one person. You’ll see what I mean when/if you read the book.
The Lavish Parties
Parties, parties and more parties! Those 1920s men and women knew how to throw a fun night of glamour, beautiful outfits and upbeat jazz music. And of course, bootlegging (the illegal selling of alcohol) features in the book.
The New Woman
Jordan Barker, a golfer, stands as the epitome of the new women who isn’t defined by Victorian customs.
A Beautifully Written Novel
Seriously, if the story doesn’t grab your attention the writing will. I don’t know how Fitzgerald wrote that way, but the imagery, the conversations, the descriptions…it’s all too much!
A Flawed Life
Beneath the parties and the money, Fitzgerald pays attention to the dark side of life. The characters that appear to be perfect aren’t. There’re characters like Myrtle and George who literally live in the Valley of Ashes. I think the Valley of Ashes is both literal and symbolic of physical emptiness in the book. The only difference with the apparently wealthy characters is that they’re too blinded and trapped by their artificial bubble to realise that ash is everywhere.
Right…. I hope I’ve convinced you to give TGG a go. It really is brilliant.
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