Description

It’s the story of Jay Gatsby’s obsession with his old flame Daisy Buchanan. Daisy is a married woman. After getting his neighbor Nick to help him meet up with Daisy, Jay begins an affair with her and trouble ensues. Privilege and wealth are not enough. Daisy suffers from her husband’s obvious infidelity. Yet she takes the same path with Gatsby. Gatsby is a creepy character. Gatsby admits that he threw lavish parties in the hope that Daisy would turn up with her circle of friends. People didn’t need invitations to his parties. They showed up and that was fine by him. The story is exciting, gripping, and full of action.

The book made me think about wealth and carelessness. In the story, wealth is about money. Wealth can also mean having adequate food, water, and shelter. Wealth can be from love. We are wealthy when we have a supportive family. It made me think that when we do have in abundance food, love, toilet roll (Ahem!), etc. do we care if others have enough? Whilst making sure we have stocked up do we cause others to not have anything? The behavior of some people during the current crisis springs to mind. Tom and Daisy lived a life based on their own selfish needs. Gatsby used his riches to impress Daisy. He wanted her back in spite of her Husband.

Yet, thank God for the good people who do care. The character Nick Carraway is a good guy. He does contribute to some questionable behavior but his heart is in the right place. He reminds them all on how lucky they are.

It’s a great story and I was definitely gripped from the start. I liked the description and I loved the romance. It’s not a large novel, my edition is 183 pages and I read it in 2 or 3 sittings. I would definitely recommend it.