The Great Gatsby is a phenomenal novel that is well worth its notoriety. It takes place in the Roaring twenties in east coast America, specifically New York’s Long Island. It follows Nick Carraway, a prospective stockbroker who isn’t rich, but has acquaintances in the ultra wealthy social circle. These “old-money” people look down upon the “new-money” individuals who are trying to join their social class. Nick meets his neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and he seems to want to take Nick under his wing. Gatsby is very wealthy and is part of the “new-money” crowd. There are many conflicts and affairs that occur, which end up leading to the death of three people, including Gatsby. It is a portrayal of what the modern American Dream looks like.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and it was a worthwhile read. It must be read with the perspective that it is not just about the story, but that there is a deeper meaning behind it. It shows how the pure American dream has evolved into a nearly impossible to escape social class system. I would rate it four out of five stars because it is a fantastic book, but it doesn‘t quite live up to the hype that it gets as “one of the greatest American books ever written.”