if you like a book with lots of descriptive, elegant scenes, this book is probably for you. 
 if you like a book with a slow, almost non-existent plot, this book is probably for you. 
 if, like me, you need a good mix of both, this book is probably not for you. 
 i'll be honest, my first thought upon finishing this book was "how is this a classic?" the magic that seems to touch everybody else must be lost on me... and how disappointed i am! i wanted so much to fall in love with the great gatsby, and after how much i enjoyed pride and prejudice i was surprised that i didn't. 
 i do have to start off by praising the writing because it really was gorgeous. i found myself desperate to attend a glitzy gatsby party and there were scenes where i could practically taste the g&t in my mouth. my absolute favourite decade to read about is the 60s, but i must admit this novel awoke the inner 20s fan within me. there is something so mesmerising about imagining the suits, gowns and fancy hats they wore. 
 my issues started with the very first character/the narrator. i feel like the book never explained properly who nick is? i wanted more back story, more substance. i could say the same about every other character, too, except gatsby. maybe if the author spent less time describing the scenery and more time padding out the characters, i would know more. 
 i read this reasonably quickly but only because it's a short book. it was certainly no thanks to the plot... in fact, i fell asleep one night with the book in my hands, something i never do! there was a bit of plot in the last, say, quarter(?) of the book, but it's not enough to pull the whole book together for me. the (short-lived) excitement of the events at the end, to be fair to fitzgerald was very enjoyable for me and i was keen to find out what happened with daisy but unfortunately it was left mostly to my imagination. i understand it was supposed to be slightly loose ended but i personally like a little more closure. 
 i plan to watch the movie, i've heard good things about it and even if it's terrible, at least there'll be eye candy!