I remember reading this when I was younger, about the same time as I read Orlando and a whole bunch of other 'must-read' books.
I know Robert Redford was dazzlingly gorgeous in the film version. But I don't actually recall much about what I thought of it.
So I'm going to re-read it, form a new opinion of it, then set it free.

Jay Gatsby: living proof that the closer you are to the light the darker the shadows are.
His party-goers absorb all the hospitality he has to offer while sharing whispered rumours about his history, his present life, his real social circle.
He started life out west as James Gatz, was fortunate enough to earn the patronage of a great man and then made some clever, if not completely above board, business deals.
But everyone has a weak spot, a dark secret, and Gatsby's is that he was human enough to fall in love and never quite get over it (and face it, we've almost all had that cross to bear at some point).

Nick Carraway is a wonderfully ambiguous narrator; you can tell he doesn't like the fact that he's pulled into the glitz and superficiality of Gatsby's party world, but that he also somewhat enjoys it. You know he often doesn't like Gatsby, that he resents being used as a pawn, but also that his grudging admiration for the man often spills over into something approaching a feeling of warmth and closeness - and a sense of relief that he isn't stuck in the kind of life Gatsby has created for himself.

I'm sure most people know someone like Gatsby, someone who's created this whole life for themselves that is compelling but horrible, someone who seems to have it all but is pining away for something they once had and can never have again, someone fabulously attractive and charming and apparently fulfilled but so wasted in terms of potential and lacking in the things that really matter.

A book that on re-reading has sparked loads of Big Thoughts in my head.

Offered on the Short but Sweet BookRelay.

Received today - thanks! This was on my wish list, so am looking forward to it.

This book is in turns illuminating, poetic, wise and sad. However, I found the story itself to be somewhat dated by the romantic perspective of the Roaring Twenties. Have never actually seen the movie, but intend to look out for it now.

Released on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 at Personal Handover in Chesterfield, England United Kingdom.

Given to Tangledthreads at the Derby meet-up.

Received from DianeO at Meetup last night - thankyou! Will add to Mount TBR and try to get to it soon...

This novel was a quick, enjoyable read but when I'd finished it hadn't really made much of an impact on me, as I didn't think I really cared about any of the characters. However, after a couple of hours not thinking about it, the tragedy behind the superficial veneer began to sink in.

Despite achieving the American Dream, going from small-town nothing to millionaire, Gatsby finds ultimately that no amount of people will counter his loneliness, no amount of money will buy him love or happiness. I found the funeral particularly poignant, especially Carraway's conversations with Mr. Gatz.

Better than I thought! Will probably release at next Derby Meetup unless requested elsewhere first...

Released on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 at about 1:00:00 PM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at Ye Olde Dolphin Inn, Queen Street in Derby, England United Kingdom.

RELEASE NOTES:

Releasing at Tuesday night's Meetup - will leave on one of the Dolphin's information/leaflet tables if not picked up on the night...

RELEASE NOTES: