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Writer's pictureJames King

The Most Perfectly Written Book

The Great Gatsby is so good, I read it twice and am sure I will read it many more times, as there is so much to take from the story and the exquisitely crafted prose.

The Great Gatsby

by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Genre: Fiction Classics, Historical Romance - Fiction

9606 Amazon customer reviews. Average rating - 4.3 Stars


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Set in during the Roaring Twenties, this masterful story by F. Scott Fitzgerald is told through the eyes of Nick Carraway, a young man who moves to Long Island and attempts to learn the bond business in New York City after the war. There, he co-mingles on Long Island with his affluent and wealthy socialite cousin Daisy Buchanan, her brute of a husband Tom, and friend Jordan Baker. Nick's new residence sits across the bay from Daisy and Tom's house, and right next to a mysterious mansion. He begins to hear rumors of an infamous man named Gatsby who resides there. Eventually, when Gatsby learns of Nick's ties to Daisy, he extends Nick an invitation to one of his lavish parties. Gatsby's plan to court Daisy, in an attempt to revive a previous love affair, eventually bubbles to the surface and tragedy ensues.


Generally considered to be F. Scott Fitzgerald's finest novel, The Great Gatsby is a consummate summary of the "roaring twenties", and a devastating expose of the Jazz Age.


"Leaves the reader in a mood of chastened wonder . . . A revelation of life . . . A work of art." —Los Angeles Times


The most perfectly written book, comparable to Ulysses by James Joyce – was how Stephen Fry described The Great Gatsby.


If the Great Gatsby had gone through just one more rewrite, it would be a flawless and poetic novel depicting New York during the early 1920s. Gatsby comes alive on the page through Fitzgerald's masterful command of dialogue and character development. It's hard not to see a young 30 somethin Robert Redford, as Gatsby, a man who through out the story is living a tragedy of unrequited love, creating a life of lavish wealth and parties, in hopes to win her heart. - Amazon Reviewer


James King says;


The Great Gatsby is so good, I read it twice and am sure I will read it many more times, as there is so much to take from the story and the exquisitely crafted prose.


Nick Carraway’s narration is intriguing. He lives next door to Jay Gatsby, and early on he is mesmerised by the string of lavish parties that are held in his next door neighbour’s house. It feels as though he is spying, until Gatsby invites him into his opulent world, where he observes, trying to keep his distance, until he too becomes an important part of the story.


His passive, transparent nature, makes him a good choice as narrator. And because he is a good listener, others confide in him and confess their secrets. Gradually, Gatsby trusts him, and, in his loneliness, he confides in Nick who is conflicted by his own and Gatsby’s lifestyle.


Fitzgerald saw right through America in the 1920’s and wove his insight into a masterpiece. He knew what a crazy world it was, and he made it accessible to the public, some of whom weren’t able to accept it.


But it showed what a great writer he was.


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