The Great Gatsby (Penguin Modern Classics) is an English novel that was first written in 1925. Considered as one of the world’s greatest modern classics, the story is narrated in first person through the eyes of Nick Carraway. Nick, a World War I veteran and Yale graduate, describes his meeting with the most fascinating man he has ever met in his life- Gatsby. Gatsby is a man whose first name as well as origin seem to be unknown. He throws grand parties but never indulges in them himself. Gatsby lives in the great mansion in West Egg, adjacent to which Nick rents a small house for the summer.
On one of his trips to meet his cousin, Daisy and her husband, Tom, Nick is introduced to Jordan Baker, a pretty-yet-cynical woman and begins a relationship with her. As the summer goes by, Nick and his acquaintances receive an invitation to one of the exclusive Gatsby parties. At the party, Nick experiences the grandeur and craziness that is Gatsby and also happens to meet the man himself. Gatsby takes a liking to young Nick and takes him under his wing. Travelling with Gatsby to the city of New York and discovering many pleasures in life, some grand, some dark, Nick begins to discover more about the enigma of Gatsby. Nick discovers that Gatsby used to know his cousin, Daisy and was deeply in love with her. The grand parties were Gatsby’s gestures in the hope that she would one day attend one of them and meet him. On confronting Gatsby with this, Gatsby requests Nick to invite Daisy to his house for tea. The tale unfolds with action and drama that changes Nick’s life forever.
This edition of The Great Gatsby (Penguin Modern Classics) was published by Penguin UK in 2000. It is available in paperback format.