Tonight is book club night at Towne Book Center & Cafe, aka, my job. As book club enabler, I hafta find something to say about this book.
To be sure, I always try to find something positive to say about a title, even if I didnt care for it. Here’s what I liked about the Great Gatsby:
- I’m finished
- there was a child named Pammy
There are times when we need to reconsider what makes a classic book a classic. I know many children have had to read this title for required reading. I was not one of them. So you can imagine with great DISDAIN when I discovered that the book is racist, misogynistic, and anti Semitic. I know that Fitzgerald’s thinking was historically accurate, because there were plenty of people who were not. I also found the story shiftless and a glorification of excess and a lifestyle I can not begin to comprehend. I thought that the main character, Nick, tried too hard to speak as though he were well educated and it felt forced. Blah. And I hated the ending. double blah.
So, while I did not like it, I would love to hear your thoughts on it and if you enjoyed it, tell me why. I’m not too hopeful that the movie coming out next month starring former Spiderman star Tobey Maguire is going to be a flop. But I’ve been wrong before. I’m guessing Spiderman will play the enigmatic Gatsby a part for which he’s all wrong for.
Skip The Great Gatsby and read The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty instead.
My rating, is unfortunately, ick.
Do tell me what you think.