If you know me, you probably know that I am obsessed with The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
1. I'm going to start off with my top reason I love this novel so much. The way that Fitzgerald describes characters is brilliant and unlike any other. Just read this quote about Gatsby's smile:
"He smiled understandingly-much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced–or seemed to face–the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey.”
Fitzgerald takes something as simple as a smile and makes it the most beautiful thing you've ever seen. Through his words, he vividly paints a picture in your mind, describing something in a way you would never think to describe it. He has such a buttery eloquence about his writing that is wildly addicting.
2. This novel can be read over and over again and never get old. I have read Gatsby through several times and each time have found little bits and pieces that make me fall in love with it even more. It is not like a good song or a dessert that loses it's taste or value after a while. It gets even more vivid and lovable with time.
3. It is so relatable yet so magical at the same time. Now, I don't mean magical like Harry Potter. I mean magical like breath-taking. Extraordinary. Phenomenal. Gatsby especially seems like such a relatable character even through his immense wealth and extravagant lifestyle. Nick Carraway is also relatable even though we've never experienced such events like he has. I could list all of the characters, but I think you get the point.
4. It is set in the most beautiful (and fitting) time period. Fitzgerald adds a spectacular and fresh outtake unlike any other classic novel from his time. This is mostly because the story is set in the roaring 20's, which was such a colorful and elegant era (my personal favorite time period in literature). It is so perfect for the storyline, and I don't think any other decade would have blended as well.
5. Unlike any other novel written in it's time. If you have ever had to read a classic novel for a school assignment, you would know that most of the time, novels were very drawn out and full of unnecessary details (which are mostly drab). Well, not Gatsby. This is perfectly concise and every word is well thought out. It was much before it's time, more similar to modern novels than classics.
That's it! I hope you enjoyed reading a bit about the beautiful piece of literature that is The Great Gatsby. If you have not read this book, do yourself a favor and check it out.