The Great Gatsby In Succinct Review

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Benjamin from Brothers Campfire here. 

So, I read The Great Gatsby this week. 

Long and short, in my opinion, Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald possessed a brilliant mind. 

I became enchanted, for as a correctional professional, it is important to ascertain and attempt to predict human behavior, and my mind has been expanded a fair bit in Fitzgerald’s ability to describe human interaction and emotion in a vivid, believable way. 

To be transparent, I disliked every character including Nick, the narrator, and at times could not connect with them. In fact, I was disgusted with the whole thing.

So much the better, for who wants to live in an echo chamber, or have cookie cutter characters that refrain from teaching us life lessons?

Please don’t answer that. I am too proud to hit backspace. 

Intuitively, and prior to research, I recognized that Fitzgerald spoke of Jimmy Gatz or Gatsby as himself, and I find it unfortunate. It would seem that fiction mirrored life in that the author was fixated on income and social classes while setting his affections on the forbidden fruit of homewrecking and adultery, justifying himself all the way. 

He was a fine example of “following your heart,” something we as human beings are inclined to do. While he attempts to demonstrate the maturity of delayed gratification on paper, he falls a bit short due to lack of personal experience. 

After reading about Fitzgerald’s successes and shortcomings in a fictional narrative, I hope to become a better man and a more effective writer. 

Author: Benjamin

Benjamin Thiel is a community leader, urban farmer, and author of The Ongoing Tale at Brothers Campfire. He might know a guy...

13 thoughts on “The Great Gatsby In Succinct Review”

  1. Under the mask.. says:

    I’ve read all there was from –and about– Scotty (and Zelda) and Papa Hemingway — another brilliant writer. Ultimately, I had to stop reading about Hem, whereas Scott is sitting in the Scott-shaped part of my heart. It often seems (to me) that the super-creative are greatly troubled.

    1. Benjamin says:

      I think you may be on to something there. I wonder if a gift includes a counterbalance that is not so gifted.

  2. leendadll says:

    Comment w/o reading: Timely for me… I had a fantastic Gatsby themed dream last night… it was an interactive theater experience and I got a great part and did really well.

  3. Thattamma C.G Menon says:

    So beautiful explanation about The Great Gatsby to Succinct Review and
    Thank you for sharing 🙏🌹👍🏼 Happy weekend 💓👏🏼

    1. Benjamin says:

      I did as well. It was a learning experience for me. I read too deeply. I can see why it as a classic.

        1. Benjamin says:

          I might have to check that out . I am looking to read a bunch of classics

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