Fitzgerald Francis Scott: Veliki Gatsby

Francis Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby

Another unavoidable »turbo classic«, about which it is almost too much to waste words, published by Šareni dučan! The Great Gatsby, the iconic work of the leader of the American "lost generation", is still today, almost a century after its publication, at the very top of all rankings of the importance and popularity of books. Because The Great Gatsby is really great, Fitzgerald's greatest success, the pinnacle of his literary creativity, but also one of the indisputable pinnacles of all American literature - an archetype, a pinnacle in every respect!
And, let's remember, before and after Gatsby, the author lived the life of his heroes: he was carried away by their ideas and ideals, experienced their disappointments and discords, banked and spilled talent, money and strength like them, fought together with them and with himself. Fitzgerald didn't have to look for his characters around him - he found them in himself, which is why he called Gatsby his "older brother". Encouraged by the similar worldview of his lifelong companion Zelda, he threw himself headlong into the seductive waves of the decadent "jazz age", intoxicating himself with his youth, love, success and alcohol. And that's why no one could feel better than him, nor was able to express better, the pulse of the generation of the "crazy twenties", and the legendary relationship and stormy life with Zelda, predestined him for one of the "main roles" he played in American life, but unlike today's trendsetters and "celebrities", and in all literature between the two wars.
And a novel? The poetic story about a romantic rich man, a mysterious owner obsessed with unrequited love and the "American dream", is an anthology work: reading it is not a matter of prestige as it used to be, but has become part of the general culture. And, if only because of the tragic ending, it is recommended and instructive for newly minted tycoons and powerful people - it's a shame that they will never have time for the book because they are too busy with more serious things, so that they see that money can't buy everything. Let's also mention that on the list of 100 best novels from the English-speaking world, published in 1998, compiled by the most respected English literary critics, The Great Gatsby took second place, behind Ulysses, as the best American novel of the 20th century!