I remember watching the trailer of the movie 'The Great Gatsby' mainly for Leonardo Di Caprio. I was flabbergasted by the visual treat, the richness, and the blue-eyed de Caprio; I saw on screen. But having said that; I could not sit through even 15 minutes when I started watching the movie. I was clueless as to what was happening on screen. Years later, I realized this was based on a book that was listed as a timeless American classic. A recent visit to the library ended with me loaning the book for a read.
Nick Carraway, a world war veteran arrives at Long Island where he lands upon a job as a bond salesman. He tries to fit into the new place. Once he goes to visit his cousin, Daisy; married to Tom Buchanan; living at the other end and on his way back encounters his mysterious neighbour, Jay Gatsby. A couple of days later he receives an invitation to attend one of the lavish parties held by Gatsby and as time passes they both grow close. Nick comes to know that Jay and Daisy were in love once and he wishes to rekindle the relationship through Nick. Gatsby wishes to woo back Daisy with the richness and opulence he possesses right now. Does this work out? Will Gatsby be successful in wooing back Daisy from her husband? forms the remaining story.
As I told at the start, I was a bit lost when starting the read. It took me at least ten to fifteen pages to adjust myself to the writing style of Fitzgerald. But once I was through those pages, the read was so good. THe book was a quick read as well going up to just above 120 pages. I loved the way friendship was projected between Nick and Gatsby. The author was successful in bringing the sight of the golden Jazz Age and Long Shore riches right before our eyes. Gatsby was an enigma to start with but halfway into the book; his charisma caught me as did his undying love and dedication for Daisy. I did not care as to who Gatsby was really at that point in time. Nick served as the eyes to the Jazz Age and our emotions flow right through him - be it the wonder and awe in the company of Gatsby, disgust on what transpired between Gatsby and Daisy, and the domineering and supremacist nature of Tom Buchanan. Tom Buchanan was the epitome of brashness and the white supremacist nature of the Longshore upper-class people. I really hated his rude behaviour and the way he treated people including Daisy. Daisy symbolizes the naive rich class girl whom I adored at the start but ended up hating towards the end. At one point, I did think Daisy was level-headed but that was shattered through mid-way and I was entirely disgusted with her to the end. With these characters, Scott was able to take us right at that age and make us realize how people can turn out. The end was heartbreaking and disturbed me so much. The pain and sacrifice one can suffer for his love are just great and Gatsby will forever remain one of the charismatic and lovable characters that I have ever read.
The first time I watched the movie I could not sit for more than ten minutes. Now that I have read and enjoyed the book; I need to try and watch the movie again. The movie can never overtake the beauty of the book. But I would love to watch the blue-eyed De Caprio as the mysterious Gatsby. But whether I like the movie or not; I would forever adore Gatsby and the read will always stay in my memory as one of the most different books that I have read during the lockdown. The book was not a success compared to his previous works during the lifetime of Scott Fitzgerald and post his death during the world wartime, the success rocketed sky-high to be one of the popular classics of American literature. In short, a great and very quick read.
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