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The Great Gatsby/Cassettes

The Great Gatsby/Cassettes

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The Great Gatsby
Review: Nick Carraway having graduated from Yale and fought in World War I has returned home to find a job. Being unsettled, he decided to move to New York to learn the bond business. The novel opens early in the summer of 1922 in West Egg, Long Island, where Nick has rented a house and seems to be unlike the other inhabitants of West Egg. Next to his place, is the Gatsby's mansion. Shortly after his arrival, Nick travels across the Sound to the more fashionable East Egg to visit his cousin Daisy Buchannan and her husband, Tom, a hulking, imposing man whom Nick had known in college. While Nick is there, he meets a young woman golfer named Jordan Baker, whom Daisy wants Nick to be interested in. During dinner, the telephone rings, and when Tom and Daisy leave the room, Jordan informs Nick that the caller is Tom's woman from New York. Nick also learns a bit about Daisy and Tom's marriage: Jordan tells him that Tom has a lover, Myrtle Wilson, who lives in the valley of ashes, a gray industrial dumping ground between West Egg and New York City. Not long after this revelation, Nick travels to New York City with Tom and Myrtle. At a vulgar, gaudy party in the apartment that Tom keeps for the affair, Myrtle begins to taunt Tom about Daisy, and Tom responds by breaking her nose.
As the summer continues, Nick turns his attention to his mysterious neighbor, who hosts weekly parties for the rich and fashionable. Upon Gatsby's invitation, Nick attends one of the extravagant gatherings. There, he bumps into Jordan Baker, as well as Gatsby himself. Gatsby, a gracious host, remains apart from his guest; more of an observer more than a participant. As the party winds down, Gatsby takes Jordan aside to speak privately. Jordan is greatly amazed by what she's learned from Gatsby.
One day, Nick and Gatsby take a trip into the city and there Nick meets Meyer Wolfshiem, one of Gatsby's associates and Gatsby's link to organized crime. On that same day, while having tea with Jordan Baker, Nick learns the amazing story that Gatsby told her the night of his party. Gatsby, it appears, is in love with Daisy Buchannan. They met years earlier when he was in the army but could not be together because he did not yet have the means to support her. In the intervening years, Gatsby made his fortune, all with the goal of winning Daisy back. He bought his house so that he would be across the Sound from her and hosted the elaborate parties in the hopes that she would notice. It has come time for Gatsby to meet Daisy again, face-to-face, and so, through the intermediary of Jordan Baker, Gatsby asks Nick to invite Daisy to his little house where Gatsby will show up unannounced.
The day for the re-acquaintance of Gatsby and Daisy finally arrives. Gatsby makes sure that everything is perfectly prepared, and wants every detail to be perfect for his reunion with his lost love. When the two former lovers meet, their reunion is slightly nervous, but shortly, the two are again comfortable with each other.. Later on, the three move the party from Nick's house to Gatsby's, where he takes special delight in showing Daisy his meticulously decorated house and his impressive arrangement of belongings, as if demonstrating in a very tangible way just how far out of poverty he has traveled.
When Nick, Jordan, and Tom take a drive one day, they discover that Gatsby's car has struck and killed Myrtle, Tom's lover. They rush back to Long Island, where Nick learns from Gatsby that Daisy was driving the car when it struck Myrtle, but that Gatsby intends to take the blame. The next day, Tom tells Myrtle's husband, George, that Gatsby was the driver of the car. George, who has leapt to the conclusion that the driver of the car that killed Myrtle must have been her lover, finds Gatsby in the pool at his mansion and shoots him dead. He then turns the gun on himself.
After Gatsby's death, Nick is left to help prepare for his burial, only problem is that no one seems overly concerned with Gatsby's death. A telegram from Gatsby's father indicates he will be coming from Minnesota to bury his son. Gatsby's funeral hosts only Nick, Gatsby's father, a few servants, the postman, and the minister at his gravesite. Although Gatsby, during his lifetime held high popularity, at the time of his death, he was completely forgotten.
Nick, after everything he has experienced, heads back home to the Midwest.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A wonderful work
Review: If you could pick any type of book, what kind of book would you like to read? Great Gatsby is a book that I would highly recommend to others. It maintains a readers interest, and also tends to be a thought-provoking book. The characters throughout the novel seemed to be almost as real people. With the plot fulfilling everything you could ask it to be, and with an unexpected twist. The author F. Scott Fitzgerald developed the novel thoroughly throughout the entire novel. The way in which he utilizes every aspect of the book to keep the attention of the audience is remarkable.

As you can tell I admire the author's writing gift, with each and every character having characteristics that are possible to relate to people in real life situations. The main character was Nick Carraway, and he seems to be a very studious, and intelligent person. Along with this main character, the author added in many other characters to help makeup his cast. The main focus of the book was Nick's wealthy neighbor, Jay Gatsby. He is a mystery to many of the people around his area, and everyone wants to know, or find out about him. The other characters that the author develops are all of an authentic and credible nature. The writer explains each character with just the perfect amount of information, and in a way in which the reader can feel as if he understands how each character thinks.

Along with the creative nature that he introduces, and maintains his characters throughout the story the author makes the plot thicken with wonderful ploys. The author made very unique descriptions of everything, no matter how large or small throughout the scheme of the novel. He manages to seduce your thoughts by keeping the story running through your mind, even after you sit the book down for a minute. This way of writing was very elaborate and tended to make an obvious impression on the reader.

The author manages to keep the readers interests in the plot and develop the story very elaborately. Throughout the development of the book, there are new things being entered into your mind, which tend to keep you thinking. This makes the reader stay on his heals, and wonder what may occur next. Even until the end of the book you wonder what will occur next.

I would definitely recommend this book to others. It will make you want to keep reading, and even think about the book after you put it down. This is the kind of book that will keep you coming back for more. I would give this book a try; who knows, you may even find a new favorite author.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: One-dimensional man
Review: With a singular obsession, Jay Gatsby manoeuvers every dollar of his vast fortune to cradle a woman he thinks he loves. Throwing elaborate parties with a guest list that includes anyone who wants to show up, Gatsby builds a mansion just across the way from Daisy, the object of his obsession.

Circumstance thwarts all of his goals, the futility of his quest never completely realized. Gatsby is as tragic a character as the inevitability of his failure. Gatsby, "pa[ys] a high price for living too long with a single dream."

The story is told through the eyes of Nick Carraway, a somewhat solemn and restrained fellow who never really expresses what he wants to say. His virtue, however, is his silence and profound honesty. He says so himself: "Every one suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known."

The Great Gatsby is a stunning tale of remarkable poise and literary quality. Fitzgerald is the epitome of the highschool English teachers dream--he appreciates the English language, and takes the standard approach to literature very seriously. The book is a tour de force of depth and contrast, and an exploration of the King's English. The author has taken pains to diversify his word choice, and the texture and depth of his language.

Here's a passage that demonstrates Fitzgerald's quality as a writer: "There was a faint, barely perceptible movement of the water as the fresh flow from one end urged its way toward teh drain at the other. With little ripples that were hardly the shadows of waves, the laden mattress moved irregularly down the pool. A small gust of wind that scarcely corrugated teh surface was enough to disturb its accidental course with its accidental burden. The touch of a cluster of leaves revolved it slowly, tracing, like the leg of transit, a thin red circle in the water."

Yikes. Enough to give you goosebumps, isn't it?

Highly recommended, and worth the praise.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Sensational
Review: With "The Great Gatsby", F. Scott Fitzgerald takes us into the life of Nick Carraway, who - at the height of 1920's glitz and excess - has just moved to the East Coast with the hopes of getting in bonds sales. Detached but forever present and trusted by the characters, Nick tells the story of Jay Gatsby, an enigmatic neighbour who throws lavish parties, and Daisy, with whom Gatsby is infatuated. As the story evolves, we are slowly given insight into an odd love triangle, the penalties of excess, and who Jay Gatsby really is.

The Great Gatsby is a smooth read which maintains its capacity to be called a classic throughout the ages, despite having been written 80 years ago. The themes it investigates (infidelity, greed, class struggles, etc.) are as timeless as Fitzgerald's wonderful prose, and the carefully interwoven and surprising storyline makes for an exceptionally entertaining read as well. Although I would struggle to call this a "love story", as some have, I would certainly concede that it is a story about love. More than just a love story, though, it deals with the ramifications of infidelity, the consequences of infatuation, and the effect wealth and security has on it. Fitzgerald's statement can be found in simply considering where everyone is at the end, and what they have done to be there. Is that justice?

A welcome read for everyone. True classic.

Matty J

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This is how the big boys write.
Review: As Hunter Thompson said about this book, read it and see "how the big boys write." Fitzgerald had a tragic sense of the world that is always there behind the money and bright surfaces of his characters. His ability to convey this melancholy is nearly supernatural. What more can be said about this book? This is the writing of one of the greatest writers that ever lived. His talent was so great, not even his self-destructive nature could dim the light. His Jay Gatsby is still so classically American, and this novel is one for the space capsule.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Great Fitzgerald!
Review: This novel is useful to those teenagers who wish to seek the American dream of becoming successful and make a great deal of money. Reading The Great Gatsby gave me a look into what the High Society of the early 1920's was like. To many, this era was not really that important because World War 1 had ended years before and the world was just trying to get back on its feet. I thought this time to be dark and mysterious.
F. Scott Fitzgerald's portrayal of a young businessman from the Mid- West, living in one of the many posh neighborhoods along the coast of Long Island, was brilliant. The main character, Nick Carraway, who is also the narrator, brings a sarcastic, yet genuine truth to the secret life of the rich and powerful. After waiting for a while, Nick finally meets the man named Gatsby. Despite all the rumors about the way he acquired his money and all the illegal actions that he might have taken part in, they become very good friends. The storyline continues and blossoms into a few love triangles, adultery, and murder. Reading this book will be an advantage to those students in high school who wish to do well and succeed in life.
Some say that this Fitzgerald's novels should not be required reading for high school students. However, I believe that reading them can be life altering. The Great Gatsby allows you to take a glimpse into the lives of the rich and powerful. Within the walls of this aristocratic society there is great despair as well as great success. Fitzgerald is trying to send the message to those young enough to realize that money and power are not everything. Also, when power is obtained, work hard to keep it and do not let other things distract you. This novel is exceptional and should definitely be used in the classroom.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: a real masterpeice
Review: i have read this book about a month ago, and it simply follows me around since, i find myself thinking of both charecters and plot but most of all the unique way in which scott fitzgerald see and describe the world. the man's simply a words wisard, with simple methapors and discription he spreads befor my eyes a complete world of glamore and coraption.

i just love the way he melt down imagery with actuall descriptions to make the views and people in his books apear as a monsturose vertions of themself. and twist the scenery in his book into somthing that's both extreamly realistic but also fantastic. sort of like seeing things through glasses of a dream.

it's a wonderfull book and i have enjoied it deeply.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Really good..............
Review: I know most of us have read this book in school but I would suggest it's worth a second look.

It really is very good. If you take the time to look beyond the surface into the symbolism you will be happily surprised at the new dimensions that open up!

It's a fantastic testament and example of the roaring 20s.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not as good as I was hoping
Review: I decided to read The Great Gatsby knowing what a classic it's considered to be, but I have to say I didn't personally think it was great. I'll tell the basic plot to the story and then elaborate on my feelings.

The story is told by Nick Carraway, a man living on Long Island next to the very wealthy Jay Gatsby. On first sight it appears Jay Gatsby has a wonderful live with his wealth and the extravagant parties he throws every week, but he's missing something. He's missing Daisy Buchanan's love. Daisy Buchanan is a woman he knew 5 years ago and fell in love with, but circumstances kept them apart. Coincidentally, Nick Carraway happens to be the 2nd cousin of Daisy whom lives only across a lake(which Gatsby knows). So, Gatsby befriends Carraway in an attempt to get back the love he lost. In retrospect, Carraway, as the narrator, relates the events of the period of his life in which he knew Gatsby and what happened.

Reading this book, I just found trouble getting really into it. The characters are described well enough and a pretty clear picture of them is painted of them(except maybe for Gatsby who is always surrounded by some mystery) and the writing was pretty good(the book isn't bogged down with very sophisticated language or anything like that), but for about the first half of the book I just found things to be kind of boring. The 2nd half gets a little more interesting when things start to pick up between Daisy and Jay. Also, there's an interesting cast of characters which seem very real and make the book more interesting.

Overall, I'd say that I would recommend reading this book since it is considered to be a classic and I know that others which read The Great Gatsby would probably have completely different opinions about the book and think it's great. Also, it's only about 197 pages, so it's really not too long. It's a book that I wouldn't be surprised that if I read again, like in a few years, perhaps maybe I'd have a different view of things. I do sort of get the feeling that maybe this is a book I'd appreciate a little more after another reading.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Review of The Great Gatsby
Review: F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is a well written novel that portrays life in the 1920s in America. It reveals many of the dishonest motivators present in that time period and also present in today's society. Some of these motivators are lust, greed, money, and love. Fitzgerald causes the readed to reflect on how ethical these influencers are. This is a very worth while book to read. It caused me to question what motivates me in my own life. I would recommend it.


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