My Opinion

[StephanieRose7]

I read The Great Gatsby, and I did not like it. Not because it wasn’t well-written. Fitzgerald's imagery was amazing. I just didn’t care for the story itself. Fitzgerald portrayed Gatsby, who could have been so romantic and gallant, as a pathetic bootlegger. His fatal attempt to reunite with his past love Daisy was, at best, pathetic.
Please do not interpret this as a criticism of Fitzgerald’s work. This is simply the lowly opinion of an ordinary reader who has taken her liberty.

What do you think?

[Joreads]

I read the book recently and I was rather let down. Everyone kept saying how great it is and I just didn't get it. It was well written as you say but the story did really win me over.

[JBI]

In terms of writing, it has perhaps the most perfect prose ever written in English. Seriously, every word seems handpicked and loaded, beyond anything even Joyce could create. As for content, I didn't like it at all at first. But eventually, as I kept seeing it appear over and over in situations in my life, it sort of started to make sense, and I read it 2-3 more times, and eventually the book just started to show so much more than I originally thought.

[andave_ya]

I agree wholeheartedly with JBI; I have yet to find a book with the same handpicked quality as The Great Gatsby but I was a little disappointed with Gatsby. Why did he win Daisy? What made him so much better than Tom, besides the fact that Tom had a mistress?

[Luc999]

I’m sorry that some people have not enjoyed Gatsby as much as I have. This is why I enjoyed the story so much. When the audience is first introduced to Daisy, I myself, like Nick and Gatsby, was drawn to her. She seemed like one of those people you naturally gravitate to and want to know. I gave special attention to the beautiful description of her musical voice.

But then there is the turn. As we go deeper into the story, I start to disapprove of her behavior, especially the bold affections she makes towards Gatsby right in front of her husband. While my sympathy only reaches so far for Tom, at least he never invited his lover to lunch and to their home. And of course the ending tips my disgust for Daisy and Tom over the edge.

Nick seems to feel the same way as I did, but poor Gatsby has no idea (and the moments he hints at seeing her true character, he quickly moves on). I loved the moment he decides to go for a relaxing swim. It is a beautiful moment of innocence. If Gatsby’s fate had led him to remain with Daisy, perhaps he too would have become an image of chaos and waste, just like Tom and Daisy (a fate worse than death, perhaps).

We’re left with unanswered questions about Gatsby’s life. Sure there are stories about bootlegging and other scandals, but there is still much unsaid about Gatsby’s rise to wealth. Everything always sounds like hearsay.

There is a sweet sadness and acceptance that strikes me as I think on Gatsby’s life and death. No matter what else we may have learned about him, it really would not matter and change the feeling I have for him as the book ends. No matter what, I am glad to have known him.

[kelby_lake]

I agree wholeheartedly with JBI; I have yet to find a book with the same handpicked quality as The Great Gatsby but I was a little disappointed with Gatsby. Why did he win Daisy? What made him so much better than Tom, besides the fact that Tom had a mistress?

I think it doesn't help that Daisy is cast off as just being the embodiment of wealth by teachers. Gatsby was cute and reminded Daisy of when all the boys wanted her.
It's quite a simple story and I like the way you aren't patronised. Gatsby isn't an angel- but his sincerity makes up for his faults, whereas everyone else is shallow.
And he never won Daisy- she didn't even come to his funeral.

The only physical interaction they have is a kiss- but it's so well described and important. This is Gatsby touching his dream- he almost has it.

[lukgem]

I agree wholeheartedly with JBI; I have yet to find a book with the same handpicked quality as The Great Gatsby but I was a little disappointed with Gatsby. Why did he win Daisy? What made him so much better than Tom, besides the fact that Tom had a mistress?

To be perfectly honest, it did take me a couple of chapters to get into the book, but when I did, I thought it was a great story.

Now, I haven't read the book for quite a while, but from what I can remember, I will try to put my point of view across about the above quote.

I think Daisy thought Gatsby was everything she wanted. She loved Tom dearly but she knew she would always have to share him with someone else and she wanted to feel loved by him as much as she loved him. Daisy sees that Gatsby would be able to give her everything that she wanted whether it be all of life's luxuries or the thing that was close to her heart, being loved by someone and not having to share that one person. If Daisy was with Gatsby, I think she would have been portrayed as the lady of the house and made into a very special person of the community.

I also think that Daisy was using Gatsby because she knew she would be able to get what she wanted from him as he adored her, but it would also mean she could make a show of Tom for the way he treated her. Everyone knew about Tom's mistress and I think Daisy felt like she was the laughing stock of the community, and felt that everyone was saying how she couldn't keep her husband contented.