The Great Gatsby

by Francis Fitzgerald

Overview

"The Great Gatsby" is a story about the illusion of the American Dream, and the harsh reality that lies beneath it. It depicts the excesses and decadence of the wealthy during the 1920s, a time of great social and cultural change in America.

The novel explores the theme of love and how it can be corrupted by wealth and social status. Gatsby's love for Daisy is intense and all-consuming, but it is also unrealistic and ultimately doomed. The characters in the novel are often shallow and selfish, and their relationships are based on superficiality rather than genuine connection.

In addition to its exploration of love and social class, "The Great Gatsby" also delves into the themes of identity and reinvention. Gatsby, whose real name is James Gatz, has created a new identity for himself as a wealthy and successful man in order to win back Daisy. But his past eventually catches up with him, and his carefully constructed facade begins to crumble.

Fitzgerald's writing style in "The Great Gatsby" is often praised for its lyricism and poetic quality. He uses vivid imagery and symbolism to create a dreamlike atmosphere that mirrors the illusion of the American Dream itself.

Overall, "The Great Gatsby" is a powerful commentary on the flaws and contradictions of American society during the 1920s, and it continues to resonate with readers today as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excess and the pursuit of wealth and status.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940186592938
Publisher:	Peter Kattan
Publication date:	02/22/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

F. Scott Fitzgerald was an American author and novelist, born on September 24, 1896, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was named after his famous ancestor Francis Scott Key, who wrote the lyrics to "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Fitzgerald attended Princeton University, but dropped out in 1917 to join the U.S. Army during World War I. After the war, he moved to New York City to pursue a career as a writer. In 1920, he published his first novel, "This Side of Paradise," which was a critical and commercial success and made him a literary celebrity.

Throughout the 1920s, Fitzgerald became one of the leading voices of the Jazz Age, a period of social and cultural change in America. He wrote several more novels, including "The Beautiful and Damned" (1922), "The Great Gatsby" (1925), and "Tender is the Night" (1934). His writing was known for its poetic language and vivid descriptions of the excesses and decadence of the wealthy elite during the era.

Despite his success as a writer, Fitzgerald struggled with alcoholism and personal problems throughout his life. He was married to Zelda Sayre, a socialite and writer, who also struggled with mental illness. The couple had a tumultuous relationship that was often marked by financial difficulties and periods of hospitalization.

Fitzgerald's literary career declined in the 1930s, and he struggled to find success as a writer. He died on December 21, 1940, at the age of 44, from a heart attack. However, his legacy as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century has endured, and his works continue to be studied and admired by readers and scholars around the world.

Editorial Reviews

In this smart, sensitive, and faithful adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 masterwork, the ill-fated relationships between a mysterious big spender; a young, married socialite; and their bevy of privileged friends are given center stage. Often THE GREAT GATSBY's 1920s glitz, glamour, and excesses are allowed to overshadow the story, but with audio theater all the action is driven by the characters talking to one another. And what talk it is. Rufus Sewell finds the tender bravado of Jay Gatsby, who is seeking to win back Daisy Buchanan, played with aching sublimity by Sarah Drew. Nate Corddry, playing Jazz Age narrator and sidekick Nick Carraway, deftly delivers some of Fitzgerald's most celebrated passages of heightened prose. From prosperity to heartbreak to tragedy--the Great American classic. B.P. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2023 - AudioFile