50 books to read before you die discussion

From the 50

My all time favourite book! Im excited to discuss it when people have read it

Why don't you start Laura, since it's your favorite- just put spoiler alerts.
Read it years ago, really enjoyed it.

Spoilers!

The Great Gatsby was a fantastic read. Initially, Daisy Buchanan's character was a bit difficult for me to understand. I withhold labeling her as a protagonist or antagonist, because I think her significance in the book is being the illusion that she is the "green light at the end of Gatsby's dock", when she was, in actuality, the barrier obstructing him from the great things he was undoubtedly destined to do. When talking about the antagonist of the story, I think that it was Gatsby's obsession with recreating the past and what he had with Daisy that ultimately resulted in his demise.

Oh this is starting now? Need to start reading it soon so I can join in on the discussion with everyone here.

And Laura, being your all time favorite book is quite the praise :)

Ugh I'm going to have to wait on starting this book. I can't find it. Starting to think I may not even own it, although I had it marked as owned. Strange! I think this happened the last time I went to read it. Will keep looking but there's a delay. My house is a disaster right now because we've been switching two rooms, tearing up carpet, painting, have tons of stuff stored in the dining room and living room right now. *sigh*

I think that F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of the best crafters of prose ever but I sometimes don't think he's a great storyteller. One of my all-time favorite quotes comes from this book but I've never liked the story all that well.

“Most of the big shore places were closed now and there were hardly any lights except the shadowy, moving glow of a ferryboat across the Sound. And as the moon rose higher the inessential houses began to melt away until gradually I became aware of the old island here that flowered once for Dutch sailors’ eyes — a fresh, green breast of the new world. Its vanished trees, the trees that had made way for Gatsby’s house, had once pandered in whispers to the last and greatest of all human dreams; for a transitory enchanted moment man must have held his breath in the presence of this continent, compelled into an aesthetic contemplation he neither understood nor desired, face to face for the last time in history with something commensurate to his capacity for wonder.

I love that idea... something in nature that's commensurate to one's capacity for wonder.

I think that part of my problem with the story-telling is that none of the main characters was wholly sympathetic.

BTW Fitzgerald was from the mid-west just like his narrator here. I'm a mid-westerner myself who "guested" at a friend's Centerport shore house on the north shore of Long Island just down the road from the Vanderbuilt Mansion. So, I could completely empathize with Nick.

The quote above and the observations about the New York wealthy who have places there really seemed accurate, even after 80 some years. One memory I'll have all my life is being in the back yard of their place, looking back over Long Island Sound at the shore places in Connecticut and wondering just HOW it did look to "Dutch sailors' eyes." Even today, the point that I was at was wooded and still evoked the "unspoiled forest" feeling

I've read both Jane Eyre and The Great Gatsby multiple times and both are terrific. I have college essays written on both but I won't bore y'all with them. I'll try to get Middlesex in before the end of the month, though. It's been on my "to-read" list since it was published!

Just started this one. I've never read it before.

I've just finished it. 4/5 to me. I liked the writing and about the history I must say I enjoyed all the mystery sorrounding Gatsby, which sometimes brought Bruce Wayne to my head, a character who probably is inspired to a degree by Gatsby, don't you think? A frivolous millionare who hides a great secret, and the jazz age as background.
The history is a great love story undoubtely: someone who decides to do whatever it takes to get someone's love, even to become a rich man. Yes, a love and mystery tale to me.
I haven't watched the recent film based on the book. I'm most interested in the one starring Robert Redford from the seventies, which I plan to watch next weekend.

The movie with De Caprio is beautiful. What is your boo against it? I didn't read the book.

No "boo", sorry for the confusion. I wanted to write "the recent film based on the book" and mispelled the last word.
I can't say anything good nor bad about the De Caprio film because I haven't watched it.
But, by the way, I've just seen the one starring Robert Redford and I must say I've enjoyed it a lot and it's absolutely faithful to the novel.

I need to see it. Old movies have the kind of a charm.

This book and movie is one of my favorites. I can read it over and over again and the movie isn't as good as the book but gives you a true picture into the book. The color schemes and symbolism is so good.

Taylor wrote: "This book and movie is one of my favorites. I can read it over and over again and the movie isn't as good as the book but gives you a true picture into the book. The color schemes and symbolism is ..."

I totally agree with your description, Taylor! I love The Great Gatsby for its characterisation and symbolism. I honestly loved every page of it when I read it, but I haven't seen the movie yet. Does it do the book justice?

Did anybody see the old Great Gatsby movie? And how was it?

There were two movies: 1974 - Robert Redford and Mia Farrow; 2013 - Leonardo DiCaprio

I haven't seen either one. I did read the book.

What's about to watch the old one and discuss it here? If you don't know where to find the movie, or you simply don't have enough money to buy, ask me. I plan to watch it on the next weekend, not this one probably.

I am realy in love with 20's light and in this story's in one of them light.

Have finally watched the old movie. It's been interesting. Strange, but it is somewhat different from the modern with DeCaprio. It has a lovely song at few episodes - "When you and I were 17, and life and love were new..."

Now probably need to read the book.

I haven't watched the new one but as I told above, I highly recommend the 1974 one. It's got that nice flavour of old films, and was great fun to watch some known actors so young, and I don't talk only about Farrow and Redford who you're used to watch'em in different ages. And some of the dialogues are taken directly from the novel.

I have noticed Redford indeed! There's another movie with Brad Pitt about a spy, Redford plays there an old experienced spy. Was produced in 2000s. It's very surprising to see him at that young age in GG and compare. Can't say the same about Mia Farrow. I don't know her movies.

Siarhei wrote: "Can't say the same about Mia Farrow. I don't know her movies. "

Mia Farrow's best known role, I think, was Rosemary's Baby. She was young then too. The movie is exactly like the book.

Following with interest. It has been a long time since I read the book, I loved it and will have to read it again. Also loved the older movie, will have to check out the newer version. I always wonder why they remake fantastic movies, like Witness for the Prosecution and Ben Hur and Miracle on 42nd Street? Why not remake bad movies that could be good movies? Just wondering.

This was a weird one. I had the strangest feeling of déjà vu towards the end, and felt confident I knew what was coming (turns out I was only slightly right). As for the rest of the book, I listened to the audiobook and found it engaging at times, but mostly draining. I see the draw of the questions it presents but found the story unpleasant. Wasn't grabbed by the writing either. Not for me.

What I liked most about the book, apart from the wasted infatuation and shady backstory of Gatsby, was the surreal image of the optician's eye looming at people from the billboard. If I ever reach a position in the world where I have control of a billboard, I am definitely going to plonk a whopping great eye on it in appreciation of this novel.

I saw the Robert Redford/Mia Farrow adaptation ages ago and really like it, so I already knew the story and the ending and so was looking forward to reading it. Unfortunately I felt really disappointed by the book though, it just really didn't grab me.