Gatsby Link Round-Up

I covered a LOT of ground in six short weeks. In case you missed out on any of the Gatsby love, here's a link round-up.

Gatsby's Girl by Caroline Preston

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

The Great Gatsby: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by K. Woodman-Maynard

Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor

Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore

The Great Gatsby: The Limits of Wonder by Richard Lehan

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Annotated Great Gatsby - 100th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

Green Light: A Gatsby Cycle

The Great Gatsby: A Party Primer by Jennifer Adams, illustrated by Alison Oliver

Gatsby The Cultural History of the Great American Novel by Bob Batchelor

Gatsby on Screen

BONUS! Make your own blackout poetry HERE

Gatsby on Screen

I watched all the Gatsby movies (except the now-lost silent film from 1926) so you don't have to! Just kidding, I'm not a movie reviewer and find it difficult to sit through movies (even though I can sit and read a book in a day, go figure) so I'm often very grumpy and narrow-minded with my interpretations. Still... here they are! Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment!

2013

Over the top. The cinematic swoops, overly bright lighting, and cartoonish sharpness made me think of David LaChapelle photographs, which I know have their fans but just look garish and AI-generated to me.

I think the music was too much and the dancing was so jerky that it should have just gone all out as a musical.

I grew up watching the Robert Redford and Sam Waterston version, so I'm biased, and I also don't like Tobey Maguire or Leonardo DiCaprio, so that furthers my bias, but I just don't like this version. That said, I'm glad it was made since it showed a different take on things, and it brought the book back into the spotlight (more than it being required reading for most high schoolers does). Tobey Maguire as Nick just seems so... empty. He seems like the most clueless, sheltered man ever. I got sick of his blank, dumbfounded stares by the first Gatsby party. I have always been intrigued by Nick as a narrator but this movie makes me hate him and question his intelligence in every way. He's intolerable.

2002

I didn't know what to expect with this interpretation... mostly since it's just 97 minutes, and the previous Gatsby flicks I've seen (1974 and 2013) seem entirely too long. Honestly, I was excited to see how the story would unfold when there was a time constraint.

I think this was actually a good movie. I say actually because, in reading reviews, I see criticism for it not being Gatsby enough and not being hip-hop enough. I can agree with both of those takes, but it was pretty refreshing in my mind. There were some nice liberties taken (I mean, there's a homeowner's association involved!) and a good twist regarding the death at the end that kept me interested.

2000

Janet and I watched this and posted reactions on Bluesky on April 12th. I'd previously seen the first half hour or so... yes, that's all, despite owning the DVD. I can't focus on movies for some reason, even if they do include Paul Rudd. This one was well done and concise and I enjoyed all of the actors, so it became my first place Gatsby version after our watch party.

1974

This is the version I grew up with. I remember watching this and The Natural and developing the biggest crush on Robert Redford - what a dreamboat! I thought Sam Waterston was the best Nick until I saw the Paul Rudd version, but I think they capture the same essence. That said, I can't stand how Mia Farrow acts as Daisy, though I do think she's very Daisy-like. Overall, the movie just seems a bit too long to me, so after seeing the 2000 A&E version, that became my new favorite and this was demoted to second place. Still a solid offering, though.

If I could mix and match them to make my own all-star movie, I would choose:

Joel Edgerton - Tom Buchanan

Mira Sorvino - Daisy Buchanan

Paul Rudd - Nick Carraway

Robert Redford - Jay Gatsby

Elizabeth Debicki - Jordan Baker (a bit Zoey Deschanel though)

Isla Fisher - Myrtle Wilson

Gatsby The Cultural History of the Great American Novel by Bob Batchelor

 Gatsby: The Cultural History of the Great American Novel by Bob Batchelor

This book was published in 2014 (by Rowman & Littlefield, I have to shamelessly announce because they also published my first book), so a lot of it focuses on The Great Gatsby 2013 movie, which is... not my favorite, but I'll address the movie specifically later.

But this book isn't about the movie - it puts Gatsby in context throughout history, academia, and more. It starts by covering Fitzgerald's life and the process of writing this classic, and then covers eras as the book went in and out of popularity. Batchelor relates the book to the American Dream in different iterations, dives into the romantic aspect, and addresses greed.

Like the novel itself, this is a book I could come back to time and time again and find something new. I already maxed out the library holds (on my card and my son's!) just to spend enough time with it for an initial read. It could be a textbook for a course studying the cultural context of Gatsby... and you know I'd take that class!

Here's the official blurb from the publisher, which explains it more concisely than I can:

In Gatsby: The Cultural History of the Great American Novel, Bob Batchelor explores the birth, life, and enduring influence of The Great Gatsby—from the book’s publication in 1925 through today’s headlines filled with celebrity intrigue, corporate greed, and a roller-coaster economy. A cultural historian, Batchelor explains why and how the novel has become part of the fiber of the American ethos and an important tool in helping readers to better comprehend their lives and the broader world around them.

A “biography” of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece, this book examines The Great Gatsby’s evolution from a nearly-forgotten 1920s time capsule to a revered cultural touchstone. Batchelor explores how this embodiment of the American Dream has become an iconic part of our national folklore, how the central themes and ideas emerging from the book—from the fulfillment of the American Dream to the role of wealth in society—resonate with contemporary readers who struggle with similar uncertainties today. By exploring the timeless elements of reinvention, romanticism, and relentless pursuit of the unattainable, Batchelor confirms the novel’s status as “The Great American Novel” and, more importantly, explains to students, scholars, and fans alike what makes Gatsby so great.

The Great Gatsby: A Party Primer by Jennifer Adams, illustrated by Alison Oliver

 

The Great Gatsby: A Party Primer by Jennifer Adams, illustrated by Alison Oliver

I've been a big fan of BabyLit books since my son was a baby. We had several: Frankenstein, Alice in Wonderland, and Jabberwocky.

I was so excited to see a version for The Great Gatsby even though my son is way too old for them, now! Honestly, I still enjoy them. I love seeing what lines or ideas Adams picks for the books, and the way Oliver illustrates them to convey the meaning of the original text, while making it interesting for younger eyes.

Frankenstein is about body parts, so can you guess what The Great Gatsby is about? Planning and hosting a party! It's so cute and I think it's a fun way to share the story with little kids. They can read the real book later and have their eyes opened, ha!

Green Light: A Gatsby Cycle is OUT!

I'm thrilled to announce that my hybrid chapbook, written with Janet Dale, is out today!

Green Light: A Gatsby Cycle offers a striking reimagination of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, told as a collaborative chapbook of found poetry and flash fiction. Using only the first page of each chapter from the novel, Dale and Renner craft a fresh meditation on the classic story—one that explores a boy’s struggle to break free from the place that made him, questioning the very notion of the American Dream.

The authors create a seamless dialogue with Fitzgerald’s work, transforming familiar passages into something entirely new. Each flash fiction piece and poem reflects themes of ambition, yearning, and the pursuit of freedom, while offering a thoughtful exploration of the literary masterpiece.

You can buy a copy directly from me and get it delivered in a shiny green mailer along with a book cover postcard and sticker. 

In the meantime, add it as "Want to Read" on Goodreads and The StoryGraph, then share your thoughts when you've read it.

The Annotated Great Gatsby - 100th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

 

The Annotated Great Gatsby - 100th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

I couldn't resist this gorgeous book. It's the original story, commentary, and almost a textbook, all in one. Okay, textbook might not sound appealing, and I don't really mean it that way. But there's so much information to help put the story and the writing process in context.

There's so much in this book that I haven't even made it all the way through yet, but check out the details from Penguin Random House:

• A new introduction by Amor Towles, bestselling author of Rules of Civility and A Gentleman in Moscow
• A corrected text of Gatsby based on Fitzgerald’s composite manuscript, working galleys, and personal copies 

• Restored American spellings and emendations made by Fitzgerald throughout the book’s life 
• 13 annotated letters between Fitzgerald and Gatsby’s star editor Maxwell Perkins 
• A detailed chronology of Fitzgerald’s life and career, plus extensive explanatory and textual notes 

Here's just a sample of the page layouts, with the original text there to read, but also sidebars about F. Scott himself or details about that time, things he mentioned in the book, etc.

I think this is a must-have for any Gatsby fan, or anyone who loves history, or anyone who loves reading classics and putting them in context. Above all, it's also a gorgeous book.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I have never reviewed this one because I read it before Goodreads existed and never thought to go back and cover my bases. This was required reading my junior year, and is one of the few required books I actually read. (I have always been a bookworm but argue that there's a difference between reading what I want and required reading, so I often skipped out on anything beyond CliffsNotes for schoolwork.)

When I read this in high school, I loved the language. It was gorgeous, so descriptive I could picture it all. After struggling through dry, long books, this felt refreshingly contemporary. Since that initial reading, I've re-read it several times and always find something new to appreciate. Even now, reading critiques of the book along with spins and retellings, I keep noticing qualities I never noticed on my own.

I'm proud to have my own version of this story (in a way, since it uses some of the original language) out in the world. At least, it's coming soon - on April 10, 2025, the 100th anniversary of the original.

The Great Gatsby: The Limits of Wonder by Richard Lehan

The Great Gatsby: The Limits of Wonder by Richard Lehan

I don't think I've ever read a critical book that wasn't for school, and I wasn't sure what to expect from this one, nor did I know what I'd get out of it. But it was amazing, and a lot of it opened my eyes to new layers in the classic text.

My favorite section was Chapter 12, Seeing and Misseeing: Narrative Unfolding, which breaks down the book's timeline. I also appreciated the chapters breaking down characters, including George and Myrtle Wilson. After reading Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor, applying those women's backstories to these straightforward interpretations was incredibly interesting.

While the book does focus on The Great Gatsby, the author also draws parallels between that and Fitzgerald's other works when there are common themes or character traits, so it gives you a broad scope of his writing. I took notes to create a suggested reading list as well.

I knew a fair amount about Fitzgerald's inspiration for the story, which this book addresses, but it also discusses some of his influences and, again, that helped me create a suggested reading list. I think it will be fun to check out some of these other authors (some I've read, some I haven't) and see if I can notice the commonalities myself.

There is also more general information, like this, from Chapter 3, Critical Reception:

It is hard for a reader today to realize that when F. Scott Fitzgerald died in December 1940, all of his books were out of print, including the fourth printing of The Great Gatsby, the 1934 Modern Library edition, which Random House had let go out of print because it was not selling well. Today The Great Gatsby sells over three hundred thousand copies a year, and over three hundred critical essays have been written about it since Fitzgerald's death.

(This book was published in 1990, for context.)

I'd be interested in seeing how many copies are sold annually now, how many more critical essays (and books) have been written, and, in the spirit of my upcoming chapbook, Green Light: A Gatsby Cycle, how many books and retellings it has inspired. 

Perhaps it's time for me to dive into a rabbit hole...

Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore

Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book. I hadn’t read any of the remixes in this series (by different authors), but I love retellings and spins on the classics, so I was excited to see what happened. 

I was really impressed with how this interpretation stayed true to the original in so many ways, especially considering both Gatsby and Nick are trans, many characters are LGBTQIA+, and it’s written for young adult readers. That meant some of the relationships were toned down, and of course the violence at the end of the book is different. 

It doesn’t detract though; it helps this book standalone, though I would recommend reading it after the original for older readers, and would hope that younger readers would feel inspired to read the original after they finish this one.

Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor

Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor

This book might now be one of my all-time favorites. WOW. I love anything Gatsby, and I’m always intrigued by retellings, whether it’s something inspired by a book or from a different point of view. 

Cantor reimagines The Great Gatsby from the women’s points of view: Daisy, Jordan, and Catherine, Myrtle Wilson’s sister. There’s also a detective thrown into the mix, a new addition since the book focuses on trying to solve Jay Gatsby’s murder. 

It stands alone (I would compare it to Big Little Lies and books along those lines, honestly), but it’s fun to see the little mentions of things that were in Fitzgerald’s original - whether they’re used as-is or seen through a different lens considering the POV of this book. 

There was also a nod to Harold Bloom that made me smile. I can’t recommend this one enough.

I do have one nitpicky remark that I'll hide under a spoiler tag...

The Great Gatsby: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by K. Woodman-Maynard

The Great Gatsby: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by K. Woodman-Maynard

This graphic novel adaptation is a stunning way to revisit The Great Gatsby. Woodman-Maynard’s watercolor illustrations seamlessly blend with Fitzgerald’s words, capturing both the extravagance and the eerie, dreamlike quality of the original. 

The imagery takes on a life of its own—sometimes literally—which adds a fresh layer to the classic. 

That said, it’s an adaptation, so while it beautifully distills the novel’s essence, it’s best enjoyed alongside the full text. The author’s note explains this well, but if you’re just looking for a visually rich Gatsby experience, this one’s a treat.

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

If you love The Great Gatsby in any form, The Chosen and the Beautiful is a fascinating twist on the classic. 

Nghi Vo reimagines Jordan Baker as a queer, Asian adoptee navigating the glittering excess of the 1920s—while also wielding a quiet, eerie magic. The fantasy elements aren’t in-your-face but woven subtly into the story, letting you catch them as you go. It’s dreamy, sharp, and just the right amount of haunting—a fresh take on a world that already feels otherworldly.

Gatsby's Girl by Caroline Preston

Gatsby's Girl by Caroline Preston

This was originally posted on my original blog, AllisonWrites, on 6/12/2008.

I've wanted to read this since I saw it in bookstores two years ago (note: 2006?! Wow!). I have this thing though, about buying new copies of books by authors I'm not in love with. I'll buy dozens of used books I've never even heard of, but at $.50 a pop that's not a big deal. Also, since I'm a huge fan of paperbacks (so portable!) it's hard for me to justify shelling out $20+ for a hardback book.

I FINALLY got it from the library last week! And read it! And really liked it! I'm glad I didn't buy it in hardback (is that mean?) but it was enjoyable. My main issue was that I pretty much hated the main character. She's the stereotypical kind of girl I can't stand, and maybe that was the problem - she was a stereotype. But I find that a little hard to swallow since she was based on a real person. Fictionalized, yes, but based in fact. It was hard for me to feel anything for her, so the whole time I was reading I felt a little distanced from the story. But I fell in love with the main character's sister and, of course, F. Scott himself. So it was weird to be rooting against the main character of the book.

Some great lines:

"The soothing chatter of men and the smack of balls floated over from the seventh fairway."

Ok, I KNOW fairway means golf course, which means golf balls. But the way it was worded is questionable.

"The baby girl was bald except for a fringe of black eyelashes - just like me."

I know it means the baby looked like her, but doesn't it sound as if the mom is bald except for a fringe of black eyelashes?!

It seems like an editor shoulda-woulda-coulda caught those two sentences and re-worded them. There were a few other confusing sentences too that kind of jolted me out of the story with a giggle.

Some (actually) good lines too. It won't make much sense out of context (they're at a Hawaiian-themed costume party), but this made me laugh and re-read the whole scene.

"'But I'm keeping this,' he said, patting the scarf around his middle. 'The fringe will quiver when I tango.'"

"'What would have happened if I'd turned right instead of left, if I'd picked the writer instead of the aviator? I've always wondered.'" - THAT, ladies and gentlemen, gave me chills. After reading the whole story up to that point, I had been wondering the same thing. And when you sit and think about it, how all these little decisions add up to change your life... it's monumental.

Exciting Announcement! New Book on the Horizon

I'm excited to announce that my second fiction collection is coming out April 10th!

Does that date sound familiar? It should, because it's the 100th Anniversary of The Great Gatsby! And since this book is inspired by that classic, it only seemed fitting to release it on that landmark publication date.

The book is now in public domain, so Janet Dale used the first page of each chapter to create found poetry (aka blackout poetry) and I used a sentence from the first page of each chapter to write an entirely new flash fiction piece.

Though we worked independently, things came together nicely and we can't wait for you to read the finished product in just six short weeks!