Reading Report

This week my kindergartner did all of our aloud reading. She read five books total and she is incredibly proud of herself. She is especially competitive, so I think that she is pleased to have accomplished something that the others can do.

This week I completed only one book, but it was something that I had wanted to read for months. Last fall, I read The Paris Wife; a novel about Ernest Hemingway, his first wife and their time in Paris. It intrigued me enough to pick up A Moveable Feast written by Hemingway (published after his death) about this same time in Paris. After reading these two books, and learning that F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway were friends, I decided that the logical conclusion should be to read The Great Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzberald

This is a simple tale about life in the 1920’s and the rise and fall of the American dream. Love, lust, wealth, scandal, and mystery all play a part. Jay Gatsby embodies the American dream; but his rise to wealth and status does not bring him the love of his life. His story is told by a neighbor, Nick who is also looking for love and happiness. Both are searching for something that they never quite grasp; and, it all ends in tragedy.  

What I liked about this book is that it left me wanting more. So many authors try to wrap up every last detail and tie it with a pretty bow at the end. Not so in The Great Gatsby. I think that as I finished the book I found myself with more questions than answers and I am pleased with that. I can understand why so many students are required to read this in school. There are numerous topics that would be perfect for further examination and discussion. I would certainly recommend this to anyone who loves 20^th century classic literature, or to a student needing material for a book report/discussion paper.

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