The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgeral

I can see why this is an American classic. There's considerable more depth than I gave it credit for and there are so many angles that a person can dissect it, I think I could probably read it multiple times and still derive analytical enjoyment from the book.

That said, for personal reading/for my personal tastes, the only reason I wouldn't like this book is because it seems to follow all the typical conventions of American literature (and I'm making an extreme generalization) - subversion of the authority and the pursuit of the American dreams by abandoning tradition. Yes, Fitzgerald shows that this is impossible through Gatsby's multiple failures, but it's still that same theme. I suppose it makes sense because that's what America is all about, but sometimes, I wish that there was more American literature that would deal with other themes. I'm sure there are but of all the canonical works that "define" American literature, it's always about identity (as an American or an [insert ethnic group]-American) or about the subversion of authority because authority never knows what's good for the public. Eh, perhaps I'm being critical because in comparison to other types of literature (e.g. British Literature), the themes of American literature seem limited. Eh. Another argument for another day.

Going back to Gatsby, I liked it because it was a pretty short, easy read. Fitzgerald's writing style is really accessible but its simplicity doesn't take away from its depth. That's the kind of writing that you know is artful - and which is why I understand why it's read in like every other high school.

I'd recommend this book to others but I feel like it's such a typical book that people know of and have read that if anything, it'd be fun to read in a book club to re-examine what was already learned in high school. It doesn't go on my list of favorite books but it's definitely one that I enjoyed.