9 ratings (4.67 avg)
2 reviews

David Jen

Add friend

David’s Bookshelves

to-read‎ (2)

currently-reading‎ (3)

read‎ (7)

Stats | More…

David is Currently Reading

David Jen is currently reading

Promises Not Kept: Poverty and The Betrayal of Third World Development

by John Isbister

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

progress:

(page 72 of 272)
— Apr 17, 2016 07:06PM

Apr 17, 2016 07:06PM

David Jen is currently reading

The Great Gatsby

by F. Scott Fitzgerald

bookshelves: currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in September 2015

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

David Jen said: " Upon the numerous times I have read this book, I am left with a profound impression that The Great Gatsby has reached the highest tidemark a fiction genre novel possibly can, in the form of perfectly blending complication (various layers with seeming Upon the numerous times I have read this book, I am left with a profound impression that The Great Gatsby has reached the highest tidemark a fiction genre novel possibly can, in the form of perfectly blending complication (various layers with seemingly-complicated scenarios that go on simultaneously in the background, which might not sound logically correct to the reader in the early stages of the book, however, any doubts that the reader might harbour is resolved as the story progresses and unfolds) with harmony (Saying that it is simply a pleasant book to read for leisure is far from what this all time classic deserves). If one were to have encountered this book previously, he/she would find themselves completely emerged and brought into the scenario of America in the "roaring 20's" by Fitzgerald, where America as a country was in a hangover that hasn't lasted since the victory of World War 1. The novel explores in vast detail themes such as idealism, social upheaval, as well as an era where America indulged itself in lavish and extravagant excesses in addition to the unethical behaviour of some characters. This can be demonstrated through the struggles and conflicts that exist between Jay Gatsby, Tom Buchanan and Daisy Buchanan. Namely - Jay Gatsby's quixotic passion for the beautiful and staggeringly attractive Daisy Buchanan is met with numerous "obstacles" along the way that would take serious effort to eradicate (especially Tom Buchanan, to whom Daisy is now married to), which in the end Gatsby failed to do so, yet he still maintained his unconditional and protecting love towards Daisy, regardless of the setbacks he has met on his path to regaining Daisy's love. All along this perilous journey of reclaiming Daisy's love, Gatsby had a man who supported him both mentally and morally as he progressed along. That man was Nick Carraway, as the two men have been in a relationship of mutual assistance and interest, as when Nick Carraway felt depressed deep down, Gatsby could provide him with a smile that would brighten his day, as evidenced by; "He smiled understandingly-much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life". (52) From here and on, Carraway and Gatsby have assisted each other through times of need, and have developed a mutual bond that can never be broken.
Likewise, this book does contain a generous amount of tragic events, making it a rather emotional book to read as the reader simply gets into character in a split second that places one in a position that makes oneself feel attached to the tragic events as if they were to be actually involved in it. I personally was flooded with emotions when I was thrown into a river of my own tears on one occasion, which was my first read of this superb novel 5 years ago where I was literally filled with sorrow for Gatsby's and Daisy's failed romance, and Gatsby's unfortunate death towards the end. For the reasons above, I have maintained and always will (supposedly) that this novel is amongst the very best American novels to read for leisure and most definitely pleasure. ...more "

progress:

(page 192 of 180)
— Oct 29, 2015 05:24AM

Sep 22, 2015 06:17AM · see review