The Great Gatsby

Another book I am late to the party with... deemed a classic by most - the great American novel even; a 3.39 star average with over 4.6 million ratings and nearly 90,000 reviews. I guess I don't have much to offer that isn't already out there!

I enjoyed it for the strongly defined characters; the liked the narrative flow - the story all told looking back, but with some slight non-linear slips - little looks ahead and looks behind, all delivered with a slight detachment by the narrator, Nick Carraway. I thought it had clever dialogue, the plot cleverly intertwined and it was one of those rare novels where the reader doesn't need to side with the characters - a dislike for all the characters doesn't ruin the story (OK I didn't dislike Nick, just all the others).

The post WW1 period, with shallow, selfish and hedonistic people with money, playing at life with little consideration for consequences; the ostentatious nouveau riche, where being seen to enjoy yourself is more important than actually enjoying yourself; social classing and standing in society; the gossip of scandal. The 1920s Long Island, New York scene was beautifully set in what is a remarkably short novel which appears to pick up on details from the authors youth (he fell in love with a girl, but was rejected by her wealthy family; falls for another girl who postpones their relationship until he was finally secure).

I'm glad I finally got to this one.
4.5 stars, rounded down.