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The Great Gatsby: The Complete Novel with 15 Recipes Inspired by the Roaring ’20s
- GenresCookbooks
158 pages, Hardcover
Published August 19, 2025
9 people want to read
About the author
F. Scott Fitzgerald
2,234 books25.7k followersFrancis Scott Key Fitzgerald, widely known simply as Scott Fitzgerald, was an American novelist, essayist, and short story writer. He is best known for his novels depicting the flamboyance and excess of the Jazz Age, a term he popularized in his short story collection Tales of the Jazz Age. During his lifetime, he published four novels, four story collections, and 164 short stories. Although he achieved temporary popular success and fortune in the 1920s, Fitzgerald received critical acclaim only after his death and is now widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century.
Born into a middle-class family in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Fitzgerald was raised primarily in New York state. He attended Princeton University where he befriended future literary critic Edmund Wilson. Owing to a failed romantic relationship with Chicago socialite Ginevra King, he dropped out in 1917 to join the United States Army during World War I. While stationed in Alabama, he met Zelda Sayre, a Southern debutante who belonged to Montgomery's exclusive country-club set. Although she initially rejected Fitzgerald's marriage proposal due to his lack of financial prospects, Zelda agreed to marry him after he published the commercially successful This Side of Paradise (1920). The novel became a cultural sensation and cemented his reputation as one of the eminent writers of the decade.
His second novel, The Beautiful and Damned (1922), propelled him further into the cultural elite. To maintain his affluent lifestyle, he wrote numerous stories for popular magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, Collier's Weekly, and Esquire. During this period, Fitzgerald frequented Europe, where he befriended modernist writers and artists of the "Lost Generation" expatriate community, including Ernest Hemingway. His third novel, The Great Gatsby (1925), received generally favorable reviews but was a commercial failure, selling fewer than 23,000 copies in its first year. Despite its lackluster debut, The Great Gatsby is now hailed by some literary critics as the "Great American Novel". Following the deterioration of his wife's mental health and her placement in a mental institute for schizophrenia, Fitzgerald completed his final novel, Tender Is the Night (1934).
Struggling financially because of the declining popularity of his works during the Great Depression, Fitzgerald moved to Hollywood, where he embarked upon an unsuccessful career as a screenwriter. While living in Hollywood, he cohabited with columnist Sheilah Graham, his final companion before his death. After a long struggle with alcoholism, he attained sobriety only to die of a heart attack in 1940, at 44. His friend Edmund Wilson edited and published an unfinished fifth novel, The Last Tycoon (1941), after Fitzgerald's death. In 1993, a new edition was published as The Love of the Last Tycoon, edited by Matthew J. Bruccoli.
Born into a middle-class family in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Fitzgerald was raised primarily in New York state. He attended Princeton University where he befriended future literary critic Edmund Wilson. Owing to a failed romantic relationship with Chicago socialite Ginevra King, he dropped out in 1917 to join the United States Army during World War I. While stationed in Alabama, he met Zelda Sayre, a Southern debutante who belonged to Montgomery's exclusive country-club set. Although she initially rejected Fitzgerald's marriage proposal due to his lack of financial prospects, Zelda agreed to marry him after he published the commercially successful This Side of Paradise (1920). The novel became a cultural sensation and cemented his reputation as one of the eminent writers of the decade.
His second novel, The Beautiful and Damned (1922), propelled him further into the cultural elite. To maintain his affluent lifestyle, he wrote numerous stories for popular magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, Collier's Weekly, and Esquire. During this period, Fitzgerald frequented Europe, where he befriended modernist writers and artists of the "Lost Generation" expatriate community, including Ernest Hemingway. His third novel, The Great Gatsby (1925), received generally favorable reviews but was a commercial failure, selling fewer than 23,000 copies in its first year. Despite its lackluster debut, The Great Gatsby is now hailed by some literary critics as the "Great American Novel". Following the deterioration of his wife's mental health and her placement in a mental institute for schizophrenia, Fitzgerald completed his final novel, Tender Is the Night (1934).
Struggling financially because of the declining popularity of his works during the Great Depression, Fitzgerald moved to Hollywood, where he embarked upon an unsuccessful career as a screenwriter. While living in Hollywood, he cohabited with columnist Sheilah Graham, his final companion before his death. After a long struggle with alcoholism, he attained sobriety only to die of a heart attack in 1940, at 44. His friend Edmund Wilson edited and published an unfinished fifth novel, The Last Tycoon (1941), after Fitzgerald's death. In 1993, a new edition was published as The Love of the Last Tycoon, edited by Matthew J. Bruccoli.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 2, 2025
I have a split rating on this, as I absolutely hate The Great Gatsy. 0 out of 5 stars. OK, maybe not 0. Maybe 2, but ugh. Books like that are one of the reasons people think all books are boring. Teachers should absolutely have required reading, but they should also give more opportunities for kids to choose what they read for class. So anyway, my point here is that I don't like the book. This didn't affect how I rated this book, however, just to be clear. Just strictly rating it on the cookbook, as that is why I requested it from NetGalley. I was very hopeful there would be some wonderful recipes in the book.
I was hoping for some fun recipes to try, but the cookbook just stuck with every single food item mentioned in the book. Deviled eggs, fried chicken, gin rickey, etc.Which is fine, but there weren't even photos of the food items like you would find in a normal cookbook. No pages with substitutions or measurements, things like that. The illustrations were beautifully done, though.
I suppose this would be a good collector's item, but the recipes aren't anything you can't find in a million other cookbooks.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
I was hoping for some fun recipes to try, but the cookbook just stuck with every single food item mentioned in the book. Deviled eggs, fried chicken, gin rickey, etc.Which is fine, but there weren't even photos of the food items like you would find in a normal cookbook. No pages with substitutions or measurements, things like that. The illustrations were beautifully done, though.
I suppose this would be a good collector's item, but the recipes aren't anything you can't find in a million other cookbooks.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
June 12, 2025
This is a very pretty book!
I do think this is a lovely gift for people who adore Gatsby or the era in general.
While I liked that it was made very clear which food was being referenced, I think I would have liked this a touch more if each chapter had ended with the relevant recipes rather than gathering them all in the back of the book.
As for the recipes themselves, they're very simple - most are just everyday food. Most of the ones that seemed vintage were the featured cocktails.
Still a very nice book.
* ARC provided by publisher
I do think this is a lovely gift for people who adore Gatsby or the era in general.
While I liked that it was made very clear which food was being referenced, I think I would have liked this a touch more if each chapter had ended with the relevant recipes rather than gathering them all in the back of the book.
As for the recipes themselves, they're very simple - most are just everyday food. Most of the ones that seemed vintage were the featured cocktails.
Still a very nice book.
* ARC provided by publisher
May 22, 2025
As a longtime admirer of The Great Gatsby, I was genuinely excited by the concept of this edition, a fusion of classic literature and themed culinary flair. The cover is lovely, and the idea of integrating Gatsby-inspired food and drink recipes into the reading experience is creative and full of potential.
The recipes in the back are simple but thoughtful, and they match the vibe of the book well. I liked how they tied into specific moments and characters, like Daisy’s Mint Julep or the East Egg and West Egg deviled eggs. It shows that some care went into connecting the food to the story, and that part felt playful and creative.
Overall, it’s a sweet gift idea and a conversation piece, but perhaps best suited for collectors or Gatsby-themed event hosts, rather than those seeking a transformative literary-meets-culinary experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for providing me with a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review ♥️
The recipes in the back are simple but thoughtful, and they match the vibe of the book well. I liked how they tied into specific moments and characters, like Daisy’s Mint Julep or the East Egg and West Egg deviled eggs. It shows that some care went into connecting the food to the story, and that part felt playful and creative.
Overall, it’s a sweet gift idea and a conversation piece, but perhaps best suited for collectors or Gatsby-themed event hosts, rather than those seeking a transformative literary-meets-culinary experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for providing me with a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review ♥️
May 25, 2025
Book Review: The Great Gatsby: The Complete Novel with 15 Recipes Inspired by the Roaring ’20s by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Publication Date Reviewed: May 23, 2025
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a titan of American literature, and this edition—bundled with 1920s-inspired recipes—walks a fine line between whimsical homage and missed opportunity. While the concept is undeniably gimmicky (the novel’s public-domain status certainly facilitates such repackaging), the execution is visually charming yet intellectually shallow. Having previously read and adored Gatsby, my rating for this edition hinges not on Fitzgerald’s prose but on the supplemental content’s uneven ambition.
Key Observations:
Aesthetic Appeal vs. Culinary Depth
The cover design is strikingly pretty, and illustrator Bene Rohlmann (whose name deserves far more prominence) elevates the book with delightful Art Deco-inspired food illustrations. However, the recipes themselves feel extremely perfunctory and phoned in. As a longtime fan of fiction-inspired cookbooks (e.g., Inn at the Crossroads from Game of Thrones), I craved historical context, recipe variations, or even plausible extrapolations (e.g., Daisy’s hypothetical tea-party desserts). Chronicle Books prioritized style over substance.
Textual Engagement
A bright spot: food references in the novel are underlined, subtly inviting readers to connect Fitzgerald’s symbolism with the included recipes. Yet this clever touch is undermined by the recipes’ lack of narrative depth—no commentary on Prohibition-era dining trends or class-performative menus.
Marketability & Missed Potential
The book’s visual appeal makes it a natural fit for Gatsby-themed parties or bibliophile gift tables (“Host a Jazz Age soirée with cocktails that taste like literary decadence!”). Still, it falls short of comparable titles (e.g., The Great Gatsby Cookbook with 35 recipes) by refusing to “focus on the food” as a historical artifact. A deeper dive into 1920s culinary culture—or even Fitzgerald’s own dining habits—would have justified the premise.
Critique & Audience
★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Perfect for: Fans of aesthetic-driven editions or casual Gatsby enthusiasts seeking a light, cocktail-ready companion.
Disappointing for: Culinary historians or readers craving substantive analysis.
Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the advance review copy. While this edition doesn’t redefine Gatsby, its charm—and Rohlmann’s art—offer a fleeting, fizzy pleasure, much like one of Jay’s infamous parties.
Academic Relevance:
-Fits within “literature and sensory studies” but lacks scholarly rigor.
-Recipes could spark discussions on class performativity (Gatsby’s buffets vs. Wolfshiem’s grotesquerie) if contextualized.
How would I describe this book?
- A feast for the eyes, if not the intellect—Fitzgerald’s opus meets Jazz Age eye candy.
- Illustrator Bene Rohlmann is the unsung hero of this visually lush edition.
- For those who’d rather sip a Southside Fizz than dissect the American Dream.
Note: As with Gatsby’s green light, this book’s allure lies in its unreality—a pretty illusion that leaves you wanting more.
Publication Date Reviewed: May 23, 2025
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a titan of American literature, and this edition—bundled with 1920s-inspired recipes—walks a fine line between whimsical homage and missed opportunity. While the concept is undeniably gimmicky (the novel’s public-domain status certainly facilitates such repackaging), the execution is visually charming yet intellectually shallow. Having previously read and adored Gatsby, my rating for this edition hinges not on Fitzgerald’s prose but on the supplemental content’s uneven ambition.
Key Observations:
Aesthetic Appeal vs. Culinary Depth
The cover design is strikingly pretty, and illustrator Bene Rohlmann (whose name deserves far more prominence) elevates the book with delightful Art Deco-inspired food illustrations. However, the recipes themselves feel extremely perfunctory and phoned in. As a longtime fan of fiction-inspired cookbooks (e.g., Inn at the Crossroads from Game of Thrones), I craved historical context, recipe variations, or even plausible extrapolations (e.g., Daisy’s hypothetical tea-party desserts). Chronicle Books prioritized style over substance.
Textual Engagement
A bright spot: food references in the novel are underlined, subtly inviting readers to connect Fitzgerald’s symbolism with the included recipes. Yet this clever touch is undermined by the recipes’ lack of narrative depth—no commentary on Prohibition-era dining trends or class-performative menus.
Marketability & Missed Potential
The book’s visual appeal makes it a natural fit for Gatsby-themed parties or bibliophile gift tables (“Host a Jazz Age soirée with cocktails that taste like literary decadence!”). Still, it falls short of comparable titles (e.g., The Great Gatsby Cookbook with 35 recipes) by refusing to “focus on the food” as a historical artifact. A deeper dive into 1920s culinary culture—or even Fitzgerald’s own dining habits—would have justified the premise.
Critique & Audience
★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Perfect for: Fans of aesthetic-driven editions or casual Gatsby enthusiasts seeking a light, cocktail-ready companion.
Disappointing for: Culinary historians or readers craving substantive analysis.
Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the advance review copy. While this edition doesn’t redefine Gatsby, its charm—and Rohlmann’s art—offer a fleeting, fizzy pleasure, much like one of Jay’s infamous parties.
Academic Relevance:
-Fits within “literature and sensory studies” but lacks scholarly rigor.
-Recipes could spark discussions on class performativity (Gatsby’s buffets vs. Wolfshiem’s grotesquerie) if contextualized.
How would I describe this book?
- A feast for the eyes, if not the intellect—Fitzgerald’s opus meets Jazz Age eye candy.
- Illustrator Bene Rohlmann is the unsung hero of this visually lush edition.
- For those who’d rather sip a Southside Fizz than dissect the American Dream.
Note: As with Gatsby’s green light, this book’s allure lies in its unreality—a pretty illusion that leaves you wanting more.
July 7, 2025
Note: Review not based on the contents of the novel, but the recipe portion and its execution.
When I think of books that do a lot of work describing food—the sort of thing I had to learn I couldn't read when I was hungry—I usually think of something like the Redwall books where the food is extremely prominent and described in great detail. The decision to make a Great Gatsby 'cook'book frankly seems a bit bizarre. I think people approaching this as a cookbook (which is how it is being positioned) or as a guide for throwing a 1920s soirée (one of the suggestions in the description) are going to be disappointed (a menu of oysters and tea sandwiches with hash and fried chicken seems pretty confused). This is better considered as a special edition of The Great Gatsby for people who really like the book or the art style. $35 feels way too pricey for the small amount of additional content.
I was surprised there were not more illustrations in an edition that gives the impression it is a decorative book; full-colour illustrations of some of the scenes from the story would be pretty cool.
The practice of underlining the passages is a bit of an eyesore. A footnote pointing the to recipe would have been a better option.
There's no innovation in the recipes; the fried chicken might indeed be good, but I would say that about many recipes I could find online. The deviled egg recipes are, on the one hand the most basic option you can choose, and, on the other, likely out of most readers' budgets (certainly good caviar would be).
Also, I really hope one of the freelancers involved pointed out that this book '[o]riginally published in 1925' was not, in fact, 'published more than a hundred years ago' given the Introduction is a significant portion of the original material in this edition.
When I think of books that do a lot of work describing food—the sort of thing I had to learn I couldn't read when I was hungry—I usually think of something like the Redwall books where the food is extremely prominent and described in great detail. The decision to make a Great Gatsby 'cook'book frankly seems a bit bizarre. I think people approaching this as a cookbook (which is how it is being positioned) or as a guide for throwing a 1920s soirée (one of the suggestions in the description) are going to be disappointed (a menu of oysters and tea sandwiches with hash and fried chicken seems pretty confused). This is better considered as a special edition of The Great Gatsby for people who really like the book or the art style. $35 feels way too pricey for the small amount of additional content.
I was surprised there were not more illustrations in an edition that gives the impression it is a decorative book; full-colour illustrations of some of the scenes from the story would be pretty cool.
The practice of underlining the passages is a bit of an eyesore. A footnote pointing the to recipe would have been a better option.
There's no innovation in the recipes; the fried chicken might indeed be good, but I would say that about many recipes I could find online. The deviled egg recipes are, on the one hand the most basic option you can choose, and, on the other, likely out of most readers' budgets (certainly good caviar would be).
Also, I really hope one of the freelancers involved pointed out that this book '[o]riginally published in 1925' was not, in fact, 'published more than a hundred years ago' given the Introduction is a significant portion of the original material in this edition.
May 23, 2025
Is this gimmicky? Absolutely. The original novel is out of copyright, of course, which allows the publisher here to reprint it in its entirety. I've previously read and enjoyed Gatsby, but this won't be affecting my rating for this particular edition, except in the sense that I picked it up at all.
The cover design is strikingly pretty and the interior food illustrations are cute as heck. Bene Rohlmann, the illustrator, should have his name featured more obviously. He's responsible for this book's standout features.
I do like that the food references are underlined within Gatsby's text. However, I found the recipes themselves extremely perfunctory and phoned in. It felt like the hash was the only one imbued with any thought and creativity. I've been a fan of fiction food recipes since Inn at the Crossroads (GoT) was a blog! And this didn't spark my cooking imagination. I think Chronicle Books would have done better to focus on the food, give us some historic tidbits, list variations, even add some recipes not featured in the text, but which might have been plausibly consumed by Fitzgerald's protagonists. I just wanted more — and chiefly more depth. But you know, it was visually appealing and nothing about it annoyed me per se, so three stars it gets.
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions within are my own.
The cover design is strikingly pretty and the interior food illustrations are cute as heck. Bene Rohlmann, the illustrator, should have his name featured more obviously. He's responsible for this book's standout features.
I do like that the food references are underlined within Gatsby's text. However, I found the recipes themselves extremely perfunctory and phoned in. It felt like the hash was the only one imbued with any thought and creativity. I've been a fan of fiction food recipes since Inn at the Crossroads (GoT) was a blog! And this didn't spark my cooking imagination. I think Chronicle Books would have done better to focus on the food, give us some historic tidbits, list variations, even add some recipes not featured in the text, but which might have been plausibly consumed by Fitzgerald's protagonists. I just wanted more — and chiefly more depth. But you know, it was visually appealing and nothing about it annoyed me per se, so three stars it gets.
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions within are my own.
August 19, 2025
Most of us have read The Great Gatsby at one point or another, so I won’t go into much about the novel itself. It was actually one of my favorite required reads in high school. I can’t say the same for many others—being told not only what to read but also what you’re supposed to “get” out of it tends to kill the joy. But The Great Gatsby stuck with me, probably because I’ve always been sensitive to issues of class, and how circumstances of birth can dictate your path more than ability or ambition.
The reason I picked up this edition, though, is because I’m a sucker for unique cookbooks. And really, this is more of a book to read than a traditional cookbook. It includes about 15 playful recipes, which I thought was a fun and creative way to reimagine a classic that so many people know.
That said, I can’t rate it higher than three stars, simply because it’s a variation on an already great book. Still—if you’re going to get a copy of The Great Gatsby, why not choose one with recipes to go along with it?
The reason I picked up this edition, though, is because I’m a sucker for unique cookbooks. And really, this is more of a book to read than a traditional cookbook. It includes about 15 playful recipes, which I thought was a fun and creative way to reimagine a classic that so many people know.
That said, I can’t rate it higher than three stars, simply because it’s a variation on an already great book. Still—if you’re going to get a copy of The Great Gatsby, why not choose one with recipes to go along with it?
October 22, 2025
As a long-time fan of The Great Gatsby, I was really looking forward to this creative new edition — and honestly, what a fun concept! Literature and food? Yes, please.
The recipes are simple, but tie beautifully into the story’s themes and moments — think cocktails, party bites, and 1920s flair. My only wish? That the recipes had been placed at the end of each corresponding chapter instead of all tucked away in the back. It would’ve made the reading (and snacking) experience feel even more immersive.
That said, I think this would make a fantastic gift for any Gatsby lover or bookish foodie.
The recipes are simple, but tie beautifully into the story’s themes and moments — think cocktails, party bites, and 1920s flair. My only wish? That the recipes had been placed at the end of each corresponding chapter instead of all tucked away in the back. It would’ve made the reading (and snacking) experience feel even more immersive.
That said, I think this would make a fantastic gift for any Gatsby lover or bookish foodie.
July 18, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for an eARC of this book, to be published August 19, 2025.
It is a gift book. The complete text of F. Scott Fitsgerald's short novel, with recipes added. I am currently on a Fitzgerald jag, and this was an enjoyable addition to my reading, with a different twist to his best known novel.
As an ebook it is little hard to judge the final product. Which will have colored papers inside, and recipes (mostly updated) of food and cocktails included on recipe cards, placed inside vellum envelopes at the end of the chapter. In the ebook the recipes are placed at the end of the complete text of the novel. Also in the ebook, the text of the novel that has to do with food and beverage is lightly underlined. I am not sure how those lines will be highlighted in a physical book.
This was, for me, actually a good, and fun, idea. They suggest you use it for a book club.
Recipes are by Dena Rayess and Claire Gilhuly. Both are editors at Chronicle/Ten Speed Press. Rayess has a book out on cheeseballs! Appropriately illustrated by Rene Rohlman. It appears this may be the first in a series, "Cook the Book".
I actually kind of enjoyed the idea, and thought it was well done - and it would make a nice gift.
4 out of 5.
It is a gift book. The complete text of F. Scott Fitsgerald's short novel, with recipes added. I am currently on a Fitzgerald jag, and this was an enjoyable addition to my reading, with a different twist to his best known novel.
As an ebook it is little hard to judge the final product. Which will have colored papers inside, and recipes (mostly updated) of food and cocktails included on recipe cards, placed inside vellum envelopes at the end of the chapter. In the ebook the recipes are placed at the end of the complete text of the novel. Also in the ebook, the text of the novel that has to do with food and beverage is lightly underlined. I am not sure how those lines will be highlighted in a physical book.
This was, for me, actually a good, and fun, idea. They suggest you use it for a book club.
Recipes are by Dena Rayess and Claire Gilhuly. Both are editors at Chronicle/Ten Speed Press. Rayess has a book out on cheeseballs! Appropriately illustrated by Rene Rohlman. It appears this may be the first in a series, "Cook the Book".
I actually kind of enjoyed the idea, and thought it was well done - and it would make a nice gift.
4 out of 5.
May 21, 2025
I love the idea of doing classics with pairing or cooking suggestions. I love the great gatsby so I was very excited. But I feel a little letdown having a small selection of cocktails. The front cover is beautiful so definitely get that!
June 28, 2025
Any interesting premise, but I don't necessarily know how well it will come across. People are probably either looking for "The Great Gatsby" or a cookbook of recipes from the book. Combining the two seems ingenious to me, so I'm giving it a thumbs up.
August 5, 2025
Such a cool edition of The Great Gatsby! Alongside the novel you get lots of recipes inspired by items mentioned in each chapter. The illustrations are beautiful.
Thanks NetGalley and Chronicle Books for allowing me to view an ARC of this cool book!
Thanks NetGalley and Chronicle Books for allowing me to view an ARC of this cool book!
May 26, 2025
See my full review at http://michelleardillo.com/2025/05/25...
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