Book 2 - The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Although this novel was only 180 pages, I can't believe it took me so long to finish, but there it is. In black and white. The easiest and hardest piece of literature I had to get through. My personal rating of this novel was 4 stars.
Summary (spoilers)
This novel follows the mysterious life of Jay Gatsby. An entrepreneur of West Egg in New York City. His past and where his never-ending supply of wealth comes from are the mystery. Not that anyone really cares because as long as the lights of his house are on and the party keeps going, it doesn't matter.
His love for his "across the pond" neighbor, Daisy Buchanan, keeps those lights on. Nick Carraway is Daisy's cousin and is intrigued by Gatsby. He becomes his neighbor and unbeknownst to him, they have a history.
After Gatsby asks Nick to invite Daisy to his home for tea so that he can conveniently stop by; the relationship between Daisy and Gatsby blossoms anew. Nick's friendship with Gatsby also grows his curiosity about who Gatsby is.
When Gatsby's dreams fade of how Daisy will once again join him and give her the life he always dreamed of, he begins to see that his future relies solely on Daisy's decision to leave her husband, Tom.
When Nick first arrives in New York, he becomes aware of Tom's affair, currently to a woman named Myrtle. Myrtle is the wife of a garage owner. Daisy is aware of his exploits and at a time makes it a point to ridicule Tom of it.
Gatsby and Daisy's relationship blossoms and Gatsby's lavish parties stop to accommodate their time together. Gatsby invites Nick to lunch where they are going to plan to tell Tom about them. Nick, Jordan, Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby end up at the Plaza Hotel. Passing from East Egg, their trip takes them past the garage where Myrtle and her husband work. Gatsby and Daisy are in Tom's coupe and the others take Gatsby's yellow car. Tom stops for gas where he learns that Myrtle is leaving. So, he may be losing his wife AND his mistress.
At the Plaza, the truth about Daisy and Gatsby is revealed and Tom of course defends his own actions of cheating, but claims that regardless, he always loved Daisy. Daisy doesn't deny that she has loved Tom, but she also loved Gatsby at one time. To settle the hysteria that follows, Daisy and Gatsby leave for the Buchanan residence in the yellow car.
As the remaining leave, a commotion at Wilson's garage draws them in. Tom learns, unfortunately, that Myrtle has died. She was killed in a hit-and-run accident. Tom is beside himself and claims to Wilson that it was Gatsby.
When they return to the Buchanan residence, Nick excuses himself and leaves. As he is going Gatsby is hiding and watching to make sure Daisy is okay. It is then that Nick learns it wasn't Gatsby driving, but Daisy. He claims that Myrtle ran into the road trying to get their attention. When Gatsby finally reaches back home, he and Nick talk all evening and into the early morning. That is when Nick learns everything about Gatsby and his true past.
The next day, Gatsby awaits Daisy's call so they can begin to plan their lives together. Wilson is driven mad and begins to ask everyone through the night how to get to Gatsby's and where his yellow car is.
Gatsby is ultimately shot and killed when he is swimming. No one from his associates, to guests of parties, even Daisy doesn't show up for his funeral.
His reputation is tarnished but the false accusations of his involvement with Myrtle's death. Nick, Gatsby's father and Owl Eyes are the only ones left at his side.
Nick leaves New York only with memories of Gatsby and all he did for him.
My new favorite word...
Is "supercilious." I obviously enjoyed and routed for Gatsby. His need and want for Daisy was taken to the extreme. I enjoyed the story from Nick's point of view. I believe that he was very passionate about Gatsby's life in a way that a friend cares for another. I 100% believe that Gatsby deserved so much more than he got.
Happy reading, y'all!
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