Monday, August 10, 2015

The Classics - Opening Lines: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Timeless_Books.jpg/320px-Timeless_Books.jpgIn my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.
"Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had." (Published 1925)

I love the classics and plan to share some "opening lines" over the coming months. Comment if you like, or read for inspiration. Writing styles were different then, but were they really?

12 comments:

  1. The book is great! I enjoyed reading it even though it has been a few years. The movie with Robert Redford was good. The latest film with Di Caprio truly sucked! Aside from the costumes and "the look" of the film, it sucked! Better to read the beautiful book

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, I fell in love with this author in my 30s, and read nothing but Fitzgerald for awhile. He really spoke to me then. I too liked the Redford movie. Good to know about the other one, which I never saw. And you would know Birgit :-)

      Delete
  2. “The loneliest moment in someone’s life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart, and all they can do is stare blankly.”

    Love a classic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, how sad, a theme that shows up in this novel, and the shallowness of a materialistic culture against the American pursuit of happiness. All set in the 1920s in the aftermath of WWI. Would need to read again to remember all Fitzgerald explores. Just remember it had a huge impact on me at the time. It was brilliant!

      Delete
  3. I can remember the movie, but not read the book, What great opening lines?
    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Loved Mia Farrow as Daisy in the first movie and of course, Redford :-)

      Delete
  4. I loved it too. Thanks for stopping by, Mary. Long time no see :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nick's father sure had some good advice, still relevant today. I actually loved the Luhrmann movie too. Anytime. Glad to say my students still study GG in Year 12. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, I didn't know you are a teacher. This would an interesting novel to discuss in class. Thanks Denise.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've reread the book just recently and really liked it. I don't liek all of FitzGerald's story, but some really resonate with me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting. I don't know how I would react to his books today. Just know he really hit a tender spot in me when younger that really resonated. I love the way books can impact us so. Thanks for commenting Sarah.

      Delete

"Stay" is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary
(A.B. Alcott). Stay and visit awhile. Your comments mean a lot to me.

About Me

My photo
You could call me an eternal optimist, but I'm really just a dreamer. l believe in dream fulfillment, because 'sometimes' dreams come true. This is a blog about my journey as a writer and things that inspire and motivate me.