The Great Gatsby

By F. Scott Fitzgerald

Book Overview

"The Great Gatsby" is a definitive masterpiece of American literature that captures the essence of the Jazz Age. Set on Long Island during the summer of 1922, the novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man from the Midwest who becomes fascinated by his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby is a self-made millionaire known for his lavish parties and his singular, tragic obsession with the beautiful Daisy Buchanan.

Through Nick's eyes, the story explores profound themes of wealth, social stratification, and the elusive nature of the American Dream. F. Scott Fitzgerald's prose elegantly depicts a society characterized by both unprecedented prosperity and moral ambiguity. The narrative delves into the complexities of love and longing against a backdrop of post-World War I excess. As Gatsby strives to recreate a past that no longer exists, the novel reveals the consequences of unchecked idealism and the rigid barriers of inherited status. Renowned for its lyrical writing and insightful social commentary, "The Great Gatsby" remains a cornerstone of twentieth-century fiction, offering a timeless critique of the human condition and the pursuit of happiness.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025342488
• ISBN13: 9781025342481
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 194 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Wrong book

I have ordered and received 2 different editions of this book as id like to rebuild my book collection I lost. Both were the same condensed version and not the original text.

The Hope and Illusion of the American dream

Set against the backdrop of the Jazz Age, this tragic tale delves into the decline of the American Dream, as embodied by Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire consumed by his desire to reunite with his former lover, the married Daisy Buchanan. Through Nick Carraway's narration, the novel delivers a scathing critique of the materialism and moral corruption that defined the lives of the wealthy elite in 1920s New York. It examines universal themes of extreme wealth disparity, the perversion of the culture and idealism of the American Dream, and the superficiality of social standing, reflecting modern concerns about class and influence. Still very relevant today. This is one of my favorite books. I actually reread it nearly every March for 20yrs. For those who are saying it is overrated just don't get it. There is a reason we are still reading it and rereading it in modern times. It is timeless. A classic for many ages to come.

They dont mention that "good condition" books include those that are written in, and not actually in

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One star not for the story, but for the edition

Received some weird, oversized book that says, “printed by Amazon” inside. Not what I was expecting, not sure if this is a legit version, so now I will have to repurchase. Very disappointing.

A classic!

Glad I could find a cheap, great quality copy of this classic!

i love the great gatsby but..

i just got the this book in the mail i think i paid for and “acceptable” book but i didn’t expect for it to have writing in it ( i’m completely fine with it was just surprised is all.) the book overall is just great though.

Not in "Very Good" Condition

The book was highlighted and written all over and the cover was barely holding on. Not what I would consider "Very Good" Condition...

The worst condition

The condition of this book could not be GOOD! The worst condition I’ve got since I started buying books here! Now I have to buy another one.

A Classic of a Bygone Era

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote a wonderfully intricate novel on the multiple personality types of the Gilded and Jazz age. Each character acting as a caricature of one of these groups. The novel could be considered slow but that is simply his writing style he decided to use for Gatsby. Overall if you don't mind a slower paced book and wish to have a novel full of characters ready to dissect then I could not more recommend this novel for you.

Great quality!

The story is incredible but I'm reviewing the physical condition of the book. All of the pages are whole and clean of any writing or highlighting. There's some wear and tear but I believe it to be the kind that happens to any book that is well loved. You can tell that the copy is an older one but I would take it over a new one anyway. Nothing can replace the old book smell and loving feel of a vintage copy.

Amazing

This is one of my all time favorite books of all time.

The Ok Gatsby

I loved F. Scott Fitzgerald’s style of writing, but the storyline itself was less than intriguing to me. I’m still glad I read it, mostly because it’s such a classic. That being said, I’m not sure it deserves all the hype.

The Great Gatsby

Was not expecting the annotations in the book.

One of my favorites

Fitzgerald is one of my favorite authors. I love how he explores humanity in his novels. This book draws you into the shallow world of the 1920's elite--it's beautiful and magical and empty. I don't usually reread books but I certainly will reread this one again and again.

The reason I read

I've read this book several times and could read it 100 more times. I get so wrapped up in the story every time I read it. My absolute favorite book of all time.

A Fascinating Early Draft of The Great Gatsby

As a die hard Fitzgerald fan, Trimalchio has enhanced my love and understanding of The Great Gatsby. I really loved the signifance of the name Trimalchio, once I understood it. (For those of you who haven't read the 2nd century AD play by Titus Petronius in which Trimalchio is orignially referenced, Trimalchio is a slave who throws an extragavent feast that everyone laughs behind his back at.) Knowing the reference gave such new depth to my understanding of Gatsby's character, for who was he really if not an updated Trimalchio? Something else that seemed rather interesting to me were some of the white supremecy illusions that Fitzgerald sprinkled lightly throughout the novel, notably in conversations with Tom and Daisy about the "Master Race". I also noticed a Swastika Holding Company noted in one of Nick's outings to NYC. That alone, the Swastika Holding Company within an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, is worthy of a dissertation. This early draft seems far darker than The Great Gatsby, yet far clearer in character definition. I understood Gatsby and Daisy's characters far more clearly in this draft. This is an absolutely gorgeous, gorgeous preview of what would become "The Great Gatsby" and I highly recommend it.

Beautiful & fascinating -- A must-read for "Gatsby" lovers

"The Great Gatsby" is my favorite book. This early version is absoultutely fascinating to me. I've read much about the history of the manuscript and the changes made to it, and with "Trimalchio" we get to read for ourselves one version. I was thrilled to have this unusual opportunity; I felt privileged. (Only one complaint in this review is in my last paragraph.) Aside from the sheer thrill of witnessing at least part of the transition and revision, the book itself is a wonder--to one end--to be viewed along with "The Great Gatsby." Things I've been bothered by in "Gatsby" are different in this book, and it's interesting to read that they had indeed been altered - most notably, the mid-section in "Gatsby" when Nick tells the reader in a near omnicient narration Gatsby's true story; this happens entirely differently in "Trimalchio" and in my opinion does not break the narrative flow the way it does in the final "Great Gatsby." Some unanswered questions, some debated items become clearer after reading this. Is Gatsby a good guy or a bad guy? Is Nick? Who is Jordan Baker really? Is Nick the agent of the action or an observant/removed narrator? "Trimalchio" presents the answers to some of these questions differently than does "The Great Gatsby," or in a more straightforward and clear fashion. In a sense, this could be a truer-to-Fitzgerald's-soul account, as many of the changes were suggested to him from the outside. Many of the characters underwent changes from this version to "The Great Gatsby," though some changes more major than others. I'm trying, in this review, not to write what would be a book's worth of my opinion about which is a superior book. Gatsby is such a part of me I could write forever. I will mention that typos and other necessary changes were made from this to the final, as well. And although some things I've questioned and have bothered me simply because I do love the book so much are different in this early version, I don't know how I'd feel if this were the *only* version of the book, as what we have here is an early version of a book I'd always thought brilliant. The language is beautiful; the characters amazing, sad, complex. I'm infinitely impressed by this book, whichever level of "completion." I've got one complaint about this edition of "Trimalchio": at the back of the book, there is a list of changes made - galley version, holograph, 1st edition, etc. They are laid out in such a way that they are hard to follow and hard to study. I nearly know "The Great Gatsby" by heart. While reading "Trimalchio" I noticed tiny, tiny differences. But, after I finished, I wanted to truly study the changes at each stage of Fitzgerald's writing, and the lay-out and lack of explanation made it oppressively uninviting. It's too bad, too, because I am ceaselessly (as FSF might say) interested in this - this book, the revision process, its history, everything Gatsby.

A Must-Read for Gatsby/Fitzgerald Fans

I first encountered "The Great Gatsby" in 11th grade and its sheer lyric beauty has transfixed me to the point of at least 4 readings per year ever since. Therefore, "Trimalchio" was a joy for me to read and I believe it will bring the same amount of happiness to fellow Fitzgerald fans. The book is a brief read at only 146 pages of actual text,( as opposed to "Gatsby's" 189 in the most recent Scribner paperback edition) but the opportunity to read the rough draft of a genuis like Fitzgerald is an invigorating experience- reading passages from "Trimalchio" and then looking at their equivalent passages in "Gatsby" allows you to enter the mind of Fitzgerald through his revisionary decisions and enchances your appreciation of the sheer amount of work which Fitzgerald devoted to crafting his masterpiece. That being said, do not expect incredible differences between the two texts: the most notable changes are minor details and the chronilogical order of events and revelations. Reading "Trimalchio" is ultimately like watching deleted scenes from a movie on a DVD- they are of comparatively minor significance, but they enhance one's appreciation of the work as a whole. If you loved "The Great Gatsby," take the time to read "Trimalchio."

Jazz Age Beauty

In the Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald created a wonder. He described a world and a fiend we can all relate to, that of frustrated and not fully requitted love, and he described it with all the beauty that anybody using the English language could muster. His message was the we are all fighting against the tide of time, which beats us back ever more forcefully with the progressing years, and yet we all feel that our youth, our elixir, our perfect moment and strength of Orient is within our grasp. Gatsby was a man who had lost once, and yet felt the compulsion to fight again, for the ultimate prize that would revoke his past defeat. A simple and bewilderingly focused passion that in the end destroyed the man as only it could. That was Gatsby's only goal, but in stripping his life down to such basics, and in essence, seeking to negate the past, Gatsby found he was fighting against the viscious tide of time. Read this book for the narrative, if you like. Read it for the beautiful Jazz Age description if you like also. But read it most of all for the moments in it whose beauty surpasses all contemporarys'. Find the green light.