The Great Gatsby

   The Great Gatsby, published in 1925, was written by the now famous F. Scott Fitzgerald. Being one of my favorite books, I have read it several times. I enjoy it for the beautiful language that builds the scene right before your eyes, and I am envious of Fitzgerald's way of creating beauty so easily with words. The story is best characterized as a slice of life, being that it is not an epic in which a hero battles the forces of evil. But it does delve into the characters and their flaws in the passion brimming scene of New York in the 20's. You get to know each character like you are shadowing them, and you learn that even the most powerful man that seems to have it all together may just be holding onto the past, and trying to change it.
   The story is told from the eyes of Nick Carraway, who moves into the same neighborhood as Jay Gatsby and near his cousin Daisy Buchanan. He is an honest observer who is not quick to judge until he has gotten all of the facts. Throughout most of the book, he is in a relationship with Jordan, a professional golfer who he doesn't quite trust, and with good reason. After being befriended by Gatsby at one of his extravagant parties, he soon learns that Gatsby is in love with Daisy, and is trying to make his dream a reality. Nick sees Gatsby's human side in many instances, including when Gatsby is overly nervous to meet up with Daisy and is desperate for Nick's help, which shows that Gatsby is not just a powerful millionaire with everything he could ever want, but a lovesick man who is trying to win back Daisy's love. When Nick, Jordan, Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom, Daisy's unfaithful husband, all go into the city to socialize, secrets are revealed, and Gatsby's plan begins to crumble. Then the true intentions of  this flawed group are exposed.
   This book makes you think about your intentions in your life, and whether they are honest like Nick's, a fantasy like Gatsby's, or careless like Daisy's. It also makes you feel deeply for the characters, whether that is a feeling of pity, gratitude, or anger, Fitzgerald has a true ability to make you care avidly about the characters he conjures up. I would recommend this to those who want to be transported through time or just know the story before they go to see the upcoming movie adaptation.