Thomas Hardy at his best, 15 Sep 2008
I was first introduced to Thomas Hardy at the age of 12 via an extract of this book in a girls' annual. Just that one short passage was enough to make me want to read the rest of the novel and from then I became a Hardy fan and this remains my favourite Hardy. If you have never read Hardy this would be a wonderful introduction to a great writer.

This is the tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, Thomas Hardy's favourite heroine. For a visually stunning depiction of Tess I would also recommend Roman Polanski's "Tess", starring Natassja Kinski.

sad and tragic, 21 Sep 2007
I really like Hardy's novels for all the themes they deal with. This book tells of Tess, a womanwho is treated badly by society and cant find a way out of her destiny. Hardy uses lots of symbolism in the novel, i.e weather etc.

A truly pure woman, 07 Mar 2007
In this book, Hardy tells us of the tragic story of Tess, a self-sacrificing woman who seemingly cannot escape her destiny or find happiness. Packed with emotion and landscape symbolism, in "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" one can't help feeling strong sympathy for her character and the unfair course of events in her life, which leads me to affirm that she is indeed "a pure woman", as the subtitle of the novel declared. Although to some the plot of this novel may seem unnecessarily tragic, this book is simply unputdownable and, once in a while, it is a joy -to me, at least- to read a story that touches one's heart so deeply.


Simply Wonderful, 30 Jan 2007
This has to be one of the best books I've ever read. A tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman of pure spirit wronged by society and forced to live in shame, even though she was the victim of a crime (rape). The story ebbed and flowed like a long running soap opera until its tragic end. The author's use of prose was lyrical and magical. I wished I had marked my favorites to quote now. Maybe next time I read this.

Highly highly recommended.


If you're an adolescent... or still feel like one..., 26 Oct 2006
I have to give Tess five stars because no book I have read before or since has moved me to such a degree. Thirty years later I still have my original copy, entirely disintegrated, the glue dissolved, very possibly by my hot adolescent tears. It simply tore me apart - I remember in particular struggling to finish Tess's letter from Flintcomb-Ash through eyes blurred with grief and that after finishing the book I was well-nigh inconsolable for days. I spent the following summer touring the Dorset locations on my bicycle as a kind of pilgrimage, and remember those cruel hills pretty well too.

But having said that, I was sixteen at the time and emotionally wide open. Reading it five years later, I could hardly get past the clumsiness and infelicities in the writing and the crude manipulation and melodrama of the plot. How could I have fallen for this? Reading it again another ten years further on I better understood the theatricality of it - it should be read in some ways like the old ballads with which Hardy was very familiar, with their highly exaggerated representations of good and evil - but the magic had gone.

Maybe the key is that Tess is a book written by an emotional adolescent - Hardy was a writer who arguably never really grew up, and his own relationships seem to bear this out - which speaks most forcefully to other adolescents. The melodrama and the suffering, the torment and the injustice which Tess is put through really are meat and drink to the average sensitive sixteen year old, but seem perhaps a bit foolish in retrospect.

But this isn't really a criticism. 'Tess' is by far the greatest of Hardy's novels and the high point of his career as a novelist (Jude the Obscure would tip over into self parody) and is written with a rare passion - Hardy said that he loved Tess and, although he perhaps had a funny way of showing it, his depth of feeling for his creation really comes through. Like 'The Catcher in the Rye', if you're in the right demographic - a sixteen year old or someone who still feels like one - you're going to love it. If not, you may wonder what all the fuss is about and should perhaps move straight on to Dickens.

In 1922, F Scott Fitzgerald announced his decision to write "something new--something extraordinary and beautiful and simple, intricately patterned". That extraordinary, beautiful, intricately patterned and, above all, simple novel became The Great Gatsby, arguably Fitzgerald's finest work and certainly the book for which he is best known. A portrait of the Jazz Age in all of its decadence and excess, Gatsby captured the spirit of the author's generation and earned itself a permanent place in American mythology. Self-made, self-invented millionaire Jay Gatsby embodies some of Fitzgerald's--and his country's--most abiding obsessions: money, ambition, greed and the promise of new beginnings. "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther... And one fine morning--" Gatsby's rise to glory and eventual fall from grace be comes a kind of cautionary tale about the American Dream.

It's also a love story, of sorts, the narrative of Gatsby's quixotic passion for Daisy Buchanan. The pair meet five years before the novel begins, when Daisy is a legendary young Louisville beauty and Gatsby an impoverished officer. They fall in love, but while Gatsby serves overseas, Daisy marries the brutal, bullying but extremely rich Tom Buchanan. After the war, Gatsby devotes himself blindly to the pursuit of wealth by whatever means--and to the pursuit of Daisy, which amounts to the same thing. "Her voice is full of money," Gatsby says admiringly, in one of the novel's more famous descriptions. His millions made, Gatsby buys a mansion across Long Island Sound from Daisy's patrician East Egg address, throws lavish parties and waits for her to appear. When s he does, events unfold with all the tragic inevitability of a Greek drama, with detached, cynical neighbour Nick Carraway acting as chorus throughout. Spare, elegantly plotted and written in crystalline prose, The Great Gatsby is as perfectly satisfying as the best kind of poem. Perry Freeman, Amazon.com

Thomas Hardy at his best, 15 Sep 2008
I was first introduced to Thomas Hardy at the age of 12 via an extract of this book in a girls' annual. Just that one short passage was enough to make me want to read the rest of the novel and from then I became a Hardy fan and this remains my favourite Hardy. If you have never read Hardy this would be a wonderful introduction to a great writer.

This is the tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, Thomas Hardy's favourite heroine. For a visually stunning depiction of Tess I would also recommend Roman Polanski's "Tess", starring Natassja Kinski.

sad and tragic, 21 Sep 2007
I really like Hardy's novels for all the themes they deal with. This book tells of Tess, a womanwho is treated badly by society and cant find a way out of her destiny. Hardy uses lots of symbolism in the novel, i.e weather etc.

A truly pure woman, 07 Mar 2007
In this book, Hardy tells us of the tragic story of Tess, a self-sacrificing woman who seemingly cannot escape her destiny or find happiness. Packed with emotion and landscape symbolism, in "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" one can't help feeling strong sympathy for her character and the unfair course of events in her life, which leads me to affirm that she is indeed "a pure woman", as the subtitle of the novel declared. Although to some the plot of this novel may seem unnecessarily tragic, this book is simply unputdownable and, once in a while, it is a joy -to me, at least- to read a story that touches one's heart so deeply.


Simply Wonderful, 30 Jan 2007
This has to be one of the best books I've ever read. A tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman of pure spirit wronged by society and forced to live in shame, even though she was the victim of a crime (rape). The story ebbed and flowed like a long running soap opera until its tragic end. The author's use of prose was lyrical and magical. I wished I had marked my favorites to quote now. Maybe next time I read this.

Highly highly recommended.


If you're an adolescent... or still feel like one..., 26 Oct 2006
I have to give Tess five stars because no book I have read before or since has moved me to such a degree. Thirty years later I still have my original copy, entirely disintegrated, the glue dissolved, very possibly by my hot adolescent tears. It simply tore me apart - I remember in particular struggling to finish Tess's letter from Flintcomb-Ash through eyes blurred with grief and that after finishing the book I was well-nigh inconsolable for days. I spent the following summer touring the Dorset locations on my bicycle as a kind of pilgrimage, and remember those cruel hills pretty well too.

But having said that, I was sixteen at the time and emotionally wide open. Reading it five years later, I could hardly get past the clumsiness and infelicities in the writing and the crude manipulation and melodrama of the plot. How could I have fallen for this? Reading it again another ten years further on I better understood the theatricality of it - it should be read in some ways like the old ballads with which Hardy was very familiar, with their highly exaggerated representations of good and evil - but the magic had gone.

Maybe the key is that Tess is a book written by an emotional adolescent - Hardy was a writer who arguably never really grew up, and his own relationships seem to bear this out - which speaks most forcefully to other adolescents. The melodrama and the suffering, the torment and the injustice which Tess is put through really are meat and drink to the average sensitive sixteen year old, but seem perhaps a bit foolish in retrospect.

But this isn't really a criticism. 'Tess' is by far the greatest of Hardy's novels and the high point of his career as a novelist (Jude the Obscure would tip over into self parody) and is written with a rare passion - Hardy said that he loved Tess and, although he perhaps had a funny way of showing it, his depth of feeling for his creation really comes through. Like 'The Catcher in the Rye', if you're in the right demographic - a sixteen year old or someone who still feels like one - you're going to love it. If not, you may wonder what all the fuss is about and should perhaps move straight on to Dickens.



Ben Dinsdale, 23 Sep 2008
I am Gay and i think you'll find that this story still resonates but more like a just-polished cameo piece from a forgotten time. At the core of the book is the elaborate infatuation Jay Gatsby has for Daisy Fay Buchanan, a love story portrayed with both a languid pall and a fatalistic urgency. But the broader context of the setting and the irreconcilable nature of the American dream in the 1920's is what give the novel its true gravitas.

Much of this is eloquently articulated by Nick Carraway, Gatsby's modest Long Island neighbor who becomes his most trusted confidante. Nick is responsible for reuniting the lovers who both have come to different points in their lives five years after their aborted romance. Now a solitary figure in his luxurious mansion, Gatsby is a newly wealthy man who accumulated his fortunes through dubious means. Daisy, on the other hand, has always led a life of privilege and could not let love stand in the way of her comfortable existence. She married Tom Buchanan for that sole purpose. With Gatsby's ambition spurred by his love for Daisy, he rekindles his romance with Daisy, as Tom carries on carelessly with an auto mechanic's grasping wife. Nick himself gets caught up in the jet set trappings and has a relationship with Jordan Baker, a young golf pro.

These characters are inevitably led on a collision course that exposes the hypocrisy of the rich, the falsity of a love undeserving and the transience of individuals on this earth. The strength of Fitzgerald's treatment comes from the lyrical prose he provides to illuminate these themes. Not a word is wasted, and the author's economical handling of such a potentially complex plot is a technique I wish were more frequently replicated today. Most of all, I simply enjoy the book because it does not portend a greater significance eighty years later. It is a classic tale that provides vibrancy and texture to a bygone era. It is well worth re-reading, especially at such a bargain price.

What a read!, 22 Apr 2008
One of my resolutions for 2008 is to broaden my literary horizens. After studying English Lit to A-Level, my interest has fallen to the wayside. So on my quest to better myself through literature, I read "The Old Man and the Sea", which I just couldn't relate to. So imagine my relief when I started reading "The Great Gatsby". I'm so glad I perservered with classic books!

TGG is a great read. It's fast-paced from the outset, and gripping towards the end - I couldn't put it down. I even tried to convince family and friends to read it afterwards; but to no avail - so if I manage to get even ONE person to read it from writing this review, then good! Definitely recommended.

The great American novel?, 25 Mar 2008
Beautifully written, spare, dramatic and haunting - could this at last be the great American novel?

Good, but I don't see what all the fuss is about., 26 Dec 2007
A rather interesting novel and initially it wasn't all that apparent to me why people always linked the failure of the American dream and this story together. Superficially the story is that of love reawakening, Gatsby having initially been rejected by his childhood love for not having sufficient means acquires the means through various ill gotten ways and the lovers reunite despite the fact that she is not married to a boorish but very American man. Much is made that this novel is a startling exposition of the American dream and materialism, and it does this but to a lesser extent than most people make out. I didn't find the metaphors to be profound after reflection nor did I think the plot and language to be that great. That said it still was a fairly good book, an enjoyable read though a bit of anti-climax to what I had been expecting. The characters aren't particularly likeable and stay only briefly in memory, the story entertains but I feel that this book doesn't deserve all the acclaim it has got.

Few books grip your imagination as easily as this one, 27 Aug 2007
Oh, the casual ease with which this romance is written is staggering. It is not without its little faults as a whole, but then what book is?! The sad and whistful story of a nearly man is entirley subordinate to the smoothly poetic style it is written in and yet is complemented perfectly by it, and elevated by it. This is a really melancholy tale and if you're feeling a bit emotionally down for whatever reason, I'd even put off reading it until you're fighting fit again, as it really is affecting. Some may want a more concrete story than the author is clearly willing to give, but if you can live with (deliberate) vagueness of details and you love a good mystery and a romance then you cannot go wrong with this delightful story.

Thomas Hardy at his best, 15 Sep 2008
I was first introduced to Thomas Hardy at the age of 12 via an extract of this book in a girls' annual. Just that one short passage was enough to make me want to read the rest of the novel and from then I became a Hardy fan and this remains my favourite Hardy. If you have never read Hardy this would be a wonderful introduction to a great writer.

This is the tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, Thomas Hardy's favourite heroine. For a visually stunning depiction of Tess I would also recommend Roman Polanski's "Tess", starring Natassja Kinski.

sad and tragic, 21 Sep 2007
I really like Hardy's novels for all the themes they deal with. This book tells of Tess, a womanwho is treated badly by society and cant find a way out of her destiny. Hardy uses lots of symbolism in the novel, i.e weather etc.

A truly pure woman, 07 Mar 2007
In this book, Hardy tells us of the tragic story of Tess, a self-sacrificing woman who seemingly cannot escape her destiny or find happiness. Packed with emotion and landscape symbolism, in "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" one can't help feeling strong sympathy for her character and the unfair course of events in her life, which leads me to affirm that she is indeed "a pure woman", as the subtitle of the novel declared. Although to some the plot of this novel may seem unnecessarily tragic, this book is simply unputdownable and, once in a while, it is a joy -to me, at least- to read a story that touches one's heart so deeply.


Simply Wonderful, 30 Jan 2007
This has to be one of the best books I've ever read. A tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman of pure spirit wronged by society and forced to live in shame, even though she was the victim of a crime (rape). The story ebbed and flowed like a long running soap opera until its tragic end. The author's use of prose was lyrical and magical. I wished I had marked my favorites to quote now. Maybe next time I read this.

Highly highly recommended.


If you're an adolescent... or still feel like one..., 26 Oct 2006
I have to give Tess five stars because no book I have read before or since has moved me to such a degree. Thirty years later I still have my original copy, entirely disintegrated, the glue dissolved, very possibly by my hot adolescent tears. It simply tore me apart - I remember in particular struggling to finish Tess's letter from Flintcomb-Ash through eyes blurred with grief and that after finishing the book I was well-nigh inconsolable for days. I spent the following summer touring the Dorset locations on my bicycle as a kind of pilgrimage, and remember those cruel hills pretty well too.

But having said that, I was sixteen at the time and emotionally wide open. Reading it five years later, I could hardly get past the clumsiness and infelicities in the writing and the crude manipulation and melodrama of the plot. How could I have fallen for this? Reading it again another ten years further on I better understood the theatricality of it - it should be read in some ways like the old ballads with which Hardy was very familiar, with their highly exaggerated representations of good and evil - but the magic had gone.

Maybe the key is that Tess is a book written by an emotional adolescent - Hardy was a writer who arguably never really grew up, and his own relationships seem to bear this out - which speaks most forcefully to other adolescents. The melodrama and the suffering, the torment and the injustice which Tess is put through really are meat and drink to the average sensitive sixteen year old, but seem perhaps a bit foolish in retrospect.

But this isn't really a criticism. 'Tess' is by far the greatest of Hardy's novels and the high point of his career as a novelist (Jude the Obscure would tip over into self parody) and is written with a rare passion - Hardy said that he loved Tess and, although he perhaps had a funny way of showing it, his depth of feeling for his creation really comes through. Like 'The Catcher in the Rye', if you're in the right demographic - a sixteen year old or someone who still feels like one - you're going to love it. If not, you may wonder what all the fuss is about and should perhaps move straight on to Dickens.



Ben Dinsdale, 23 Sep 2008
I am Gay and i think you'll find that this story still resonates but more like a just-polished cameo piece from a forgotten time. At the core of the book is the elaborate infatuation Jay Gatsby has for Daisy Fay Buchanan, a love story portrayed with both a languid pall and a fatalistic urgency. But the broader context of the setting and the irreconcilable nature of the American dream in the 1920's is what give the novel its true gravitas.

Much of this is eloquently articulated by Nick Carraway, Gatsby's modest Long Island neighbor who becomes his most trusted confidante. Nick is responsible for reuniting the lovers who both have come to different points in their lives five years after their aborted romance. Now a solitary figure in his luxurious mansion, Gatsby is a newly wealthy man who accumulated his fortunes through dubious means. Daisy, on the other hand, has always led a life of privilege and could not let love stand in the way of her comfortable existence. She married Tom Buchanan for that sole purpose. With Gatsby's ambition spurred by his love for Daisy, he rekindles his romance with Daisy, as Tom carries on carelessly with an auto mechanic's grasping wife. Nick himself gets caught up in the jet set trappings and has a relationship with Jordan Baker, a young golf pro.

These characters are inevitably led on a collision course that exposes the hypocrisy of the rich, the falsity of a love undeserving and the transience of individuals on this earth. The strength of Fitzgerald's treatment comes from the lyrical prose he provides to illuminate these themes. Not a word is wasted, and the author's economical handling of such a potentially complex plot is a technique I wish were more frequently replicated today. Most of all, I simply enjoy the book because it does not portend a greater significance eighty years later. It is a classic tale that provides vibrancy and texture to a bygone era. It is well worth re-reading, especially at such a bargain price.

What a read!, 22 Apr 2008
One of my resolutions for 2008 is to broaden my literary horizens. After studying English Lit to A-Level, my interest has fallen to the wayside. So on my quest to better myself through literature, I read "The Old Man and the Sea", which I just couldn't relate to. So imagine my relief when I started reading "The Great Gatsby". I'm so glad I perservered with classic books!

TGG is a great read. It's fast-paced from the outset, and gripping towards the end - I couldn't put it down. I even tried to convince family and friends to read it afterwards; but to no avail - so if I manage to get even ONE person to read it from writing this review, then good! Definitely recommended.

The great American novel?, 25 Mar 2008
Beautifully written, spare, dramatic and haunting - could this at last be the great American novel?

Good, but I don't see what all the fuss is about., 26 Dec 2007
A rather interesting novel and initially it wasn't all that apparent to me why people always linked the failure of the American dream and this story together. Superficially the story is that of love reawakening, Gatsby having initially been rejected by his childhood love for not having sufficient means acquires the means through various ill gotten ways and the lovers reunite despite the fact that she is not married to a boorish but very American man. Much is made that this novel is a startling exposition of the American dream and materialism, and it does this but to a lesser extent than most people make out. I didn't find the metaphors to be profound after reflection nor did I think the plot and language to be that great. That said it still was a fairly good book, an enjoyable read though a bit of anti-climax to what I had been expecting. The characters aren't particularly likeable and stay only briefly in memory, the story entertains but I feel that this book doesn't deserve all the acclaim it has got.

Few books grip your imagination as easily as this one, 27 Aug 2007
Oh, the casual ease with which this romance is written is staggering. It is not without its little faults as a whole, but then what book is?! The sad and whistful story of a nearly man is entirley subordinate to the smoothly poetic style it is written in and yet is complemented perfectly by it, and elevated by it. This is a really melancholy tale and if you're feeling a bit emotionally down for whatever reason, I'd even put off reading it until you're fighting fit again, as it really is affecting. Some may want a more concrete story than the author is clearly willing to give, but if you can live with (deliberate) vagueness of details and you love a good mystery and a romance then you cannot go wrong with this delightful story.

Listen and enjoy ( and remember Animal Magic!), 15 Apr 2008
I'd always enjoyed being read and later reading myself the Just So Stories. With children of my own I started them on these stories and having a cd of them means we can enjoy them on the move. The joy of hearing Jonnie Morris' super animal voice characterisations just adds to the enjoyment - takes me back to watching Animal Magic - deep joy!
Four year old daughter enjoys listening to the stories but my nine year old son has become a great fan - this now regularly is on his cd player in his room.
Buy this and you'll all be able to listen together and enjoy.

Elizabeth Bennet is the perfect Austen heroine: intelligent, generous, sensible, incapable of jealousy or any other major sin. That makes her sound like an insufferable goody-goody, but the truth is she's a completely hip character who ,if provoked, is not above skewering her antagonist with a piece of her exceptionally sharp, yet always polite, 18th-century wit. The real point of the book though, the critical question which will keep you fixated throughout, is: will Elizabeth and Mr Darcy hook up? Read this genuine all-time classic and discover the answer while enjoying a story that has charmed generation after generation.

Thomas Hardy at his best, 15 Sep 2008
I was first introduced to Thomas Hardy at the age of 12 via an extract of this book in a girls' annual. Just that one short passage was enough to make me want to read the rest of the novel and from then I became a Hardy fan and this remains my favourite Hardy. If you have never read Hardy this would be a wonderful introduction to a great writer.

This is the tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, Thomas Hardy's favourite heroine. For a visually stunning depiction of Tess I would also recommend Roman Polanski's "Tess", starring Natassja Kinski.

sad and tragic, 21 Sep 2007
I really like Hardy's novels for all the themes they deal with. This book tells of Tess, a womanwho is treated badly by society and cant find a way out of her destiny. Hardy uses lots of symbolism in the novel, i.e weather etc.

A truly pure woman, 07 Mar 2007
In this book, Hardy tells us of the tragic story of Tess, a self-sacrificing woman who seemingly cannot escape her destiny or find happiness. Packed with emotion and landscape symbolism, in "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" one can't help feeling strong sympathy for her character and the unfair course of events in her life, which leads me to affirm that she is indeed "a pure woman", as the subtitle of the novel declared. Although to some the plot of this novel may seem unnecessarily tragic, this book is simply unputdownable and, once in a while, it is a joy -to me, at least- to read a story that touches one's heart so deeply.


Simply Wonderful, 30 Jan 2007
This has to be one of the best books I've ever read. A tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman of pure spirit wronged by society and forced to live in shame, even though she was the victim of a crime (rape). The story ebbed and flowed like a long running soap opera until its tragic end. The author's use of prose was lyrical and magical. I wished I had marked my favorites to quote now. Maybe next time I read this.

Highly highly recommended.


If you're an adolescent... or still feel like one..., 26 Oct 2006
I have to give Tess five stars because no book I have read before or since has moved me to such a degree. Thirty years later I still have my original copy, entirely disintegrated, the glue dissolved, very possibly by my hot adolescent tears. It simply tore me apart - I remember in particular struggling to finish Tess's letter from Flintcomb-Ash through eyes blurred with grief and that after finishing the book I was well-nigh inconsolable for days. I spent the following summer touring the Dorset locations on my bicycle as a kind of pilgrimage, and remember those cruel hills pretty well too.

But having said that, I was sixteen at the time and emotionally wide open. Reading it five years later, I could hardly get past the clumsiness and infelicities in the writing and the crude manipulation and melodrama of the plot. How could I have fallen for this? Reading it again another ten years further on I better understood the theatricality of it - it should be read in some ways like the old ballads with which Hardy was very familiar, with their highly exaggerated representations of good and evil - but the magic had gone.

Maybe the key is that Tess is a book written by an emotional adolescent - Hardy was a writer who arguably never really grew up, and his own relationships seem to bear this out - which speaks most forcefully to other adolescents. The melodrama and the suffering, the torment and the injustice which Tess is put through really are meat and drink to the average sensitive sixteen year old, but seem perhaps a bit foolish in retrospect.

But this isn't really a criticism. 'Tess' is by far the greatest of Hardy's novels and the high point of his career as a novelist (Jude the Obscure would tip over into self parody) and is written with a rare passion - Hardy said that he loved Tess and, although he perhaps had a funny way of showing it, his depth of feeling for his creation really comes through. Like 'The Catcher in the Rye', if you're in the right demographic - a sixteen year old or someone who still feels like one - you're going to love it. If not, you may wonder what all the fuss is about and should perhaps move straight on to Dickens.



Ben Dinsdale, 23 Sep 2008
I am Gay and i think you'll find that this story still resonates but more like a just-polished cameo piece from a forgotten time. At the core of the book is the elaborate infatuation Jay Gatsby has for Daisy Fay Buchanan, a love story portrayed with both a languid pall and a fatalistic urgency. But the broader context of the setting and the irreconcilable nature of the American dream in the 1920's is what give the novel its true gravitas.

Much of this is eloquently articulated by Nick Carraway, Gatsby's modest Long Island neighbor who becomes his most trusted confidante. Nick is responsible for reuniting the lovers who both have come to different points in their lives five years after their aborted romance. Now a solitary figure in his luxurious mansion, Gatsby is a newly wealthy man who accumulated his fortunes through dubious means. Daisy, on the other hand, has always led a life of privilege and could not let love stand in the way of her comfortable existence. She married Tom Buchanan for that sole purpose. With Gatsby's ambition spurred by his love for Daisy, he rekindles his romance with Daisy, as Tom carries on carelessly with an auto mechanic's grasping wife. Nick himself gets caught up in the jet set trappings and has a relationship with Jordan Baker, a young golf pro.

These characters are inevitably led on a collision course that exposes the hypocrisy of the rich, the falsity of a love undeserving and the transience of individuals on this earth. The strength of Fitzgerald's treatment comes from the lyrical prose he provides to illuminate these themes. Not a word is wasted, and the author's economical handling of such a potentially complex plot is a technique I wish were more frequently replicated today. Most of all, I simply enjoy the book because it does not portend a greater significance eighty years later. It is a classic tale that provides vibrancy and texture to a bygone era. It is well worth re-reading, especially at such a bargain price.

What a read!, 22 Apr 2008
One of my resolutions for 2008 is to broaden my literary horizens. After studying English Lit to A-Level, my interest has fallen to the wayside. So on my quest to better myself through literature, I read "The Old Man and the Sea", which I just couldn't relate to. So imagine my relief when I started reading "The Great Gatsby". I'm so glad I perservered with classic books!

TGG is a great read. It's fast-paced from the outset, and gripping towards the end - I couldn't put it down. I even tried to convince family and friends to read it afterwards; but to no avail - so if I manage to get even ONE person to read it from writing this review, then good! Definitely recommended.

The great American novel?, 25 Mar 2008
Beautifully written, spare, dramatic and haunting - could this at last be the great American novel?

Good, but I don't see what all the fuss is about., 26 Dec 2007
A rather interesting novel and initially it wasn't all that apparent to me why people always linked the failure of the American dream and this story together. Superficially the story is that of love reawakening, Gatsby having initially been rejected by his childhood love for not having sufficient means acquires the means through various ill gotten ways and the lovers reunite despite the fact that she is not married to a boorish but very American man. Much is made that this novel is a startling exposition of the American dream and materialism, and it does this but to a lesser extent than most people make out. I didn't find the metaphors to be profound after reflection nor did I think the plot and language to be that great. That said it still was a fairly good book, an enjoyable read though a bit of anti-climax to what I had been expecting. The characters aren't particularly likeable and stay only briefly in memory, the story entertains but I feel that this book doesn't deserve all the acclaim it has got.

Few books grip your imagination as easily as this one, 27 Aug 2007
Oh, the casual ease with which this romance is written is staggering. It is not without its little faults as a whole, but then what book is?! The sad and whistful story of a nearly man is entirley subordinate to the smoothly poetic style it is written in and yet is complemented perfectly by it, and elevated by it. This is a really melancholy tale and if you're feeling a bit emotionally down for whatever reason, I'd even put off reading it until you're fighting fit again, as it really is affecting. Some may want a more concrete story than the author is clearly willing to give, but if you can live with (deliberate) vagueness of details and you love a good mystery and a romance then you cannot go wrong with this delightful story.

Listen and enjoy ( and remember Animal Magic!), 15 Apr 2008
I'd always enjoyed being read and later reading myself the Just So Stories. With children of my own I started them on these stories and having a cd of them means we can enjoy them on the move. The joy of hearing Jonnie Morris' super animal voice characterisations just adds to the enjoyment - takes me back to watching Animal Magic - deep joy!
Four year old daughter enjoys listening to the stories but my nine year old son has become a great fan - this now regularly is on his cd player in his room.
Buy this and you'll all be able to listen together and enjoy.

Its a classic for a reason, 16 Sep 2008
I really enjoyed this far more then I thought it would. Its lovely to step back into the world of Austen and see what love can be like at its most innocent. Beautifully written with comedy throughout, a must for all romance fans! I only wish I had read this sooner

Who am I to critique such a classic work by Jane Austen?, 30 Jul 2008
Not someone properly suited for such a task, I can tell you that. What I can do, however, is give an honest and heartfelt account of what I thought of Jane Austen's 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE'. I have always wanted to read some of the classics but have never up until now dug up the courage to actually do so. I thought if I was going to start reading a classic novel Jane Austen would probably be a good author to start with and what better choice was there than her stand out 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE' ? I was pleased to find out that I was absolutely right. 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE' has to be one of the most romantic novels that I have ever read. The romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy literally made me swoon quite often (and I don't swoon!). Romance mixed with a little bit of drama and Austen's most descriptive prose made it impossible for me to put this book down. Now I see why 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE' is on so many people's favorites list because now it is most certainly on mine.

Fantastic - a timeless classic, 26 Jun 2008
The plot and principal characters are well known. I read this possibly six times in school when I was 14. What emerges for me from reading this much later is that neither Elizabeth, nor Darcy are - initially at least - the perfect, but misunderstood human beings of the screen versions. Darcy, it is clear, is an insufferable snob and it is not at all clear that he ever gets past this. Yes, in the end he has no problem in accepting Elizabeth despite her relatively low social station - that is because he has fallen in love with her. But is he really as transformed as Elizabeth believes by the end of the novel? Does it even matter to her, as Elizabeth will now ascend to a higher social station anyway? Elizabeth is also utterly quick to judge and with Wickham for example, is blind to his faults despite the clear evidence of his mercenary motivations as amply pointed out to her by Mrs Gardiner. What one has to remember however is that Elizabeth is only 21 and Darcy probably no more than 26. They can be forgiven their failings (Elizabeth her prejudice, Darcy his pride and haughtiness) to some extent. This is a novel as much about growing up and reaching maturity, as it is about the danger of judging on first impressions.

Another aspect that one does not appreciate at 14 is the social background to the novel. It is a time of the emergence of mass consumerism in England and of rapid technological and economic innovation. England was the cradle of capitalism and here it is being perfected at this time. This is evident throughout the novel and money and all things money related are always part of the main event.

Although Austen was a master of the novel form, this is not a perfect novel. Compare for example the crisp, no nonsense, galloping opening chapters with some of the final chapters that completely belabour the Wickham episode and how they slow down the narrative and plot resolution. These minor criticisms aside, P&P is a stunning achievement by a literary genius and it will never lose its appeal.


Perfect!, 26 May 2008
Austen's best novel and one of the best in English Literature. A completely realistic and loveable cast of characters and one of the great love stories of all time. It should be compulsary to read this book.

Fabulous!, 17 Mar 2008
Although I don't look like a bookwormy type (unless you know me), this is my favorite book. I read it first aged 11 and now aged nearly 13, it continues to guide me. I own a much abused copy of all the jane austen books which I continue to read, even when in class, when I am reading it under the desk in Latin (which is no mean feat! Do you know how thick it is?!?) or when eat chocolate.

My favorite parts are when Lizzie realises that Mr Darcy isn't as bad as she think's he his, and he has actually secretly been helping her.


EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS!

Thomas Hardy at his best, 15 Sep 2008
I was first introduced to Thomas Hardy at the age of 12 via an extract of this book in a girls' annual. Just that one short passage was enough to make me want to read the rest of the novel and from then I became a Hardy fan and this remains my favourite Hardy. If you have never read Hardy this would be a wonderful introduction to a great writer.

This is the tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, Thomas Hardy's favourite heroine. For a visually stunning depiction of Tess I would also recommend Roman Polanski's "Tess", starring Natassja Kinski.

sad and tragic, 21 Sep 2007
I really like Hardy's novels for all the themes they deal with. This book tells of Tess, a womanwho is treated badly by society and cant find a way out of her destiny. Hardy uses lots of symbolism in the novel, i.e weather etc.

A truly pure woman, 07 Mar 2007
In this book, Hardy tells us of the tragic story of Tess, a self-sacrificing woman who seemingly cannot escape her destiny or find happiness. Packed with emotion and landscape symbolism, in "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" one can't help feeling strong sympathy for her character and the unfair course of events in her life, which leads me to affirm that she is indeed "a pure woman", as the subtitle of the novel declared. Although to some the plot of this novel may seem unnecessarily tragic, this book is simply unputdownable and, once in a while, it is a joy -to me, at least- to read a story that touches one's heart so deeply.


Simply Wonderful, 30 Jan 2007
This has to be one of the best books I've ever read. A tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman of pure spirit wronged by society and forced to live in shame, even though she was the victim of a crime (rape). The story ebbed and flowed like a long running soap opera until its tragic end. The author's use of prose was lyrical and magical. I wished I had marked my favorites to quote now. Maybe next time I read this.

Highly highly recommended.


If you're an adolescent... or still feel like one..., 26 Oct 2006
I have to give Tess five stars because no book I have read before or since has moved me to such a degree. Thirty years later I still have my original copy, entirely disintegrated, the glue dissolved, very possibly by my hot adolescent tears. It simply tore me apart - I remember in particular struggling to finish Tess's letter from Flintcomb-Ash through eyes blurred with grief and that after finishing the book I was well-nigh inconsolable for days. I spent the following summer touring the Dorset locations on my bicycle as a kind of pilgrimage, and remember those cruel hills pretty well too.

But having said that, I was sixteen at the time and emotionally wide open. Reading it five years later, I could hardly get past the clumsiness and infelicities in the writing and the crude manipulation and melodrama of the plot. How could I have fallen for this? Reading it again another ten years further on I better understood the theatricality of it - it should be read in some ways like the old ballads with which Hardy was very familiar, with their highly exaggerated representations of good and evil - but the magic had gone.

Maybe the key is that Tess is a book written by an emotional adolescent - Hardy was a writer who arguably never really grew up, and his own relationships seem to bear this out - which speaks most forcefully to other adolescents. The melodrama and the suffering, the torment and the injustice which Tess is put through really are meat and drink to the average sensitive sixteen year old, but seem perhaps a bit foolish in retrospect.

But this isn't really a criticism. 'Tess' is by far the greatest of Hardy's novels and the high point of his career as a novelist (Jude the Obscure would tip over into self parody) and is written with a rare passion - Hardy said that he loved Tess and, although he perhaps had a funny way of showing it, his depth of feeling for his creation really comes through. Like 'The Catcher in the Rye', if you're in the right demographic - a sixteen year old or someone who still feels like one - you're going to love it. If not, you may wonder what all the fuss is about and should perhaps move straight on to Dickens.



Ben Dinsdale, 23 Sep 2008
I am Gay and i think you'll find that this story still resonates but more like a just-polished cameo piece from a forgotten time. At the core of the book is the elaborate infatuation Jay Gatsby has for Daisy Fay Buchanan, a love story portrayed with both a languid pall and a fatalistic urgency. But the broader context of the setting and the irreconcilable nature of the American dream in the 1920's is what give the novel its true gravitas.

Much of this is eloquently articulated by Nick Carraway, Gatsby's modest Long Island neighbor who becomes his most trusted confidante. Nick is responsible for reuniting the lovers who both have come to different points in their lives five years after their aborted romance. Now a solitary figure in his luxurious mansion, Gatsby is a newly wealthy man who accumulated his fortunes through dubious means. Daisy, on the other hand, has always led a life of privilege and could not let love stand in the way of her comfortable existence. She married Tom Buchanan for that sole purpose. With Gatsby's ambition spurred by his love for Daisy, he rekindles his romance with Daisy, as Tom carries on carelessly with an auto mechanic's grasping wife. Nick himself gets caught up in the jet set trappings and has a relationship with Jordan Baker, a young golf pro.

These characters are inevitably led on a collision course that exposes the hypocrisy of the rich, the falsity of a love undeserving and the transience of individuals on this earth. The strength of Fitzgerald's treatment comes from the lyrical prose he provides to illuminate these themes. Not a word is wasted, and the author's economical handling of such a potentially complex plot is a technique I wish were more frequently replicated today. Most of all, I simply enjoy the book because it does not portend a greater significance eighty years later. It is a classic tale that provides vibrancy and texture to a bygone era. It is well worth re-reading, especially at such a bargain price.

What a read!, 22 Apr 2008
One of my resolutions for 2008 is to broaden my literary horizens. After studying English Lit to A-Level, my interest has fallen to the wayside. So on my quest to better myself through literature, I read "The Old Man and the Sea", which I just couldn't relate to. So imagine my relief when I started reading "The Great Gatsby". I'm so glad I perservered with classic books!

TGG is a great read. It's fast-paced from the outset, and gripping towards the end - I couldn't put it down. I even tried to convince family and friends to read it afterwards; but to no avail - so if I manage to get even ONE person to read it from writing this review, then good! Definitely recommended.

The great American novel?, 25 Mar 2008
Beautifully written, spare, dramatic and haunting - could this at last be the great American novel?

Good, but I don't see what all the fuss is about., 26 Dec 2007
A rather interesting novel and initially it wasn't all that apparent to me why people always linked the failure of the American dream and this story together. Superficially the story is that of love reawakening, Gatsby having initially been rejected by his childhood love for not having sufficient means acquires the means through various ill gotten ways and the lovers reunite despite the fact that she is not married to a boorish but very American man. Much is made that this novel is a startling exposition of the American dream and materialism, and it does this but to a lesser extent than most people make out. I didn't find the metaphors to be profound after reflection nor did I think the plot and language to be that great. That said it still was a fairly good book, an enjoyable read though a bit of anti-climax to what I had been expecting. The characters aren't particularly likeable and stay only briefly in memory, the story entertains but I feel that this book doesn't deserve all the acclaim it has got.

Few books grip your imagination as easily as this one, 27 Aug 2007
Oh, the casual ease with which this romance is written is staggering. It is not without its little faults as a whole, but then what book is?! The sad and whistful story of a nearly man is entirley subordinate to the smoothly poetic style it is written in and yet is complemented perfectly by it, and elevated by it. This is a really melancholy tale and if you're feeling a bit emotionally down for whatever reason, I'd even put off reading it until you're fighting fit again, as it really is affecting. Some may want a more concrete story than the author is clearly willing to give, but if you can live with (deliberate) vagueness of details and you love a good mystery and a romance then you cannot go wrong with this delightful story.

Listen and enjoy ( and remember Animal Magic!), 15 Apr 2008
I'd always enjoyed being read and later reading myself the Just So Stories. With children of my own I started them on these stories and having a cd of them means we can enjoy them on the move. The joy of hearing Jonnie Morris' super animal voice characterisations just adds to the enjoyment - takes me back to watching Animal Magic - deep joy!
Four year old daughter enjoys listening to the stories but my nine year old son has become a great fan - this now regularly is on his cd player in his room.
Buy this and you'll all be able to listen together and enjoy.

Its a classic for a reason, 16 Sep 2008
I really enjoyed this far more then I thought it would. Its lovely to step back into the world of Austen and see what love can be like at its most innocent. Beautifully written with comedy throughout, a must for all romance fans! I only wish I had read this sooner

Who am I to critique such a classic work by Jane Austen?, 30 Jul 2008
Not someone properly suited for such a task, I can tell you that. What I can do, however, is give an honest and heartfelt account of what I thought of Jane Austen's 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE'. I have always wanted to read some of the classics but have never up until now dug up the courage to actually do so. I thought if I was going to start reading a classic novel Jane Austen would probably be a good author to start with and what better choice was there than her stand out 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE' ? I was pleased to find out that I was absolutely right. 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE' has to be one of the most romantic novels that I have ever read. The romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy literally made me swoon quite often (and I don't swoon!). Romance mixed with a little bit of drama and Austen's most descriptive prose made it impossible for me to put this book down. Now I see why 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE' is on so many people's favorites list because now it is most certainly on mine.

Fantastic - a timeless classic, 26 Jun 2008
The plot and principal characters are well known. I read this possibly six times in school when I was 14. What emerges for me from reading this much later is that neither Elizabeth, nor Darcy are - initially at least - the perfect, but misunderstood human beings of the screen versions. Darcy, it is clear, is an insufferable snob and it is not at all clear that he ever gets past this. Yes, in the end he has no problem in accepting Elizabeth despite her relatively low social station - that is because he has fallen in love with her. But is he really as transformed as Elizabeth believes by the end of the novel? Does it even matter to her, as Elizabeth will now ascend to a higher social station anyway? Elizabeth is also utterly quick to judge and with Wickham for example, is blind to his faults despite the clear evidence of his mercenary motivations as amply pointed out to her by Mrs Gardiner. What one has to remember however is that Elizabeth is only 21 and Darcy probably no more than 26. They can be forgiven their failings (Elizabeth her prejudice, Darcy his pride and haughtiness) to some extent. This is a novel as much about growing up and reaching maturity, as it is about the danger of judging on first impressions.

Another aspect that one does not appreciate at 14 is the social background to the novel. It is a time of the emergence of mass consumerism in England and of rapid technological and economic innovation. England was the cradle of capitalism and here it is being perfected at this time. This is evident throughout the novel and money and all things money related are always part of the main event.

Although Austen was a master of the novel form, this is not a perfect novel. Compare for example the crisp, no nonsense, galloping opening chapters with some of the final chapters that completely belabour the Wickham episode and how they slow down the narrative and plot resolution. These minor criticisms aside, P&P is a stunning achievement by a literary genius and it will never lose its appeal.


Perfect!, 26 May 2008
Austen's best novel and one of the best in English Literature. A completely realistic and loveable cast of characters and one of the great love stories of all time. It should be compulsary to read this book.

Fabulous!, 17 Mar 2008
Although I don't look like a bookwormy type (unless you know me), this is my favorite book. I read it first aged 11 and now aged nearly 13, it continues to guide me. I own a much abused copy of all the jane austen books which I continue to read, even when in class, when I am reading it under the desk in Latin (which is no mean feat! Do you know how thick it is?!?) or when eat chocolate.

My favorite parts are when Lizzie realises that Mr Darcy isn't as bad as she think's he his, and he has actually secretly been helping her.


EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS!

A feel good book!, 14 Oct 2008
This really was a lovely read and leaves you with a big smile on your face at the end. I won't go over the plot, as so many other reviewers have described it so well already. Suffice to say that Miss Pettigrew starts the day as one person and ends it as another.

It just goes to show you what can happen in the space of one day!

COMFORTING BOOK., 20 Sep 2008
We read books for many reasons and sometimes for comfort.
This book is a comforting book, to read while snuggled up in front of the fire on a cold day, or under the blankets on a Saturday afternoon.

The perennial problem of the poor who need work to provide food, clothes and a shelter is experienced by Miss Pettigrew and fortunately (and because of her determination and strength) she finds the right job.
This requires fortitude and a moral fibre which is most admirable and all is rewarded at the end, like a true fairy story.

The fact that there is a 'tongue in cheek' tone to the novel makes it real, and not a syrupy little tale.
It is set in a certain time in London's history but it rings true of today as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommended anyone to buy it, and sit down with a cup of tea and a blanket and read away the afternoon.

Val De Beer.

Miss Pettigrew and the Glitterati..., 19 Aug 2008
Like almost everyone, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am a great admirer of the actress Frances McDormand and I think she may excel as Miss Pettigrew if the screen adaptation lives up to the speed and panache of the original story. Yes, ... the original story ... It is definitely of the Cindrella variety and none the worse for that. Some have seen the influence of others in its origins - but none has yet pointed out the faint echoes of a memorable short story by W.S. Maugham about the unexpected London triumph, both social and sartorial, of a mature widow called "Jane". Now I don't exactly remember the date of Somerset Maugham's story (it may have been written before Miss Watson's or afterwards) and so one may have influenced the other to a degree. As to the dialogue, "sparkling" is the word - although the occasional anti-semitisms and xenophobia still come as a bit of a shock in these PC times. That being said, a glorious read. I shall try to obtain the other works by this strangely neglected author.

What a difference a day makes . . ., 16 Aug 2008
Miss Pettigrew must find a job. She is a governess - but not a very successful one as she says herself. She is directed to the address of Miss LaFosse and inadvertantly gets involved in her life and loves. The people she is introduced to - Delysia LaFosse's young men - and her professional life - she is a night club singer - changes Guinevere Pettigrew's life for ever. Touching and funny this Cinderella tale shows how chance met people can have an irrevocable effect on each other. The dialogue sparkles and Miss Pettigrew's thoughts illuminate the difference between the two life styles. The story as it unfolds also shows how you think of yourself plays a big part in how others see you, and that very small changes to your appearance can have a huge effect. I am sure it will make a brilliant film which will make Miss Pettigrew's brand of wisdom available to a wider audience.

a Spiffing good read!, 09 Aug 2008
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (Persephone Classics)
I read this after reading about the author and the book in a sunday supplement. Thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it - an uplifting read with the good feel good factor that makes you feel pleasantly pleased after reading it - which you will do quickly as it is hard to put down. I recommend it to everyone! What a shame the author never done a sequel

Thomas Hardy at his best, 15 Sep 2008
I was first introduced to Thomas Hardy at the age of 12 via an extract of this book in a girls' annual. Just that one short passage was enough to make me want to read the rest of the novel and from then I became a Hardy fan and this remains my favourite Hardy. If you have never read Hardy this would be a wonderful introduction to a great writer.

This is the tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, Thomas Hardy's favourite heroine. For a visually stunning depiction of Tess I would also recommend Roman Polanski's "Tess", starring Natassja Kinski.

sad and tragic, 21 Sep 2007
I really like Hardy's novels for all the themes they deal with. This book tells of Tess, a womanwho is treated badly by society and cant find a way out of her destiny. Hardy uses lots of symbolism in the novel, i.e weather etc.

A truly pure woman, 07 Mar 2007
In this book, Hardy tells us of the tragic story of Tess, a self-sacrificing woman who seemingly cannot escape her destiny or find happiness. Packed with emotion and landscape symbolism, in "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" one can't help feeling strong sympathy for her character and the unfair course of events in her life, which leads me to affirm that she is indeed "a pure woman", as the subtitle of the novel declared. Although to some the plot of this novel may seem unnecessarily tragic, this book is simply unputdownable and, once in a while, it is a joy -to me, at least- to read a story that touches one's heart so deeply.


Simply Wonderful, 30 Jan 2007
This has to be one of the best books I've ever read. A tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman of pure spirit wronged by society and forced to live in shame, even though she was the victim of a crime (rape). The story ebbed and flowed like a long running soap opera until its tragic end. The author's use of prose was lyrical and magical. I wished I had marked my favorites to quote now. Maybe next time I read this.

Highly highly recommended.


If you're an adolescent... or still feel like one..., 26 Oct 2006
I have to give Tess five stars because no book I have read before or since has moved me to such a degree. Thirty years later I still have my original copy, entirely disintegrated, the glue dissolved, very possibly by my hot adolescent tears. It simply tore me apart - I remember in particular struggling to finish Tess's letter from Flintcomb-Ash through eyes blurred with grief and that after finishing the book I was well-nigh inconsolable for days. I spent the following summer touring the Dorset locations on my bicycle as a kind of pilgrimage, and remember those cruel hills pretty well too.

But having said that, I was sixteen at the time and emotionally wide open. Reading it five years later, I could hardly get past the clumsiness and infelicities in the writing and the crude manipulation and melodrama of the plot. How could I have fallen for this? Reading it again another ten years further on I better understood the theatricality of it - it should be read in some ways like the old ballads with which Hardy was very familiar, with their highly exaggerated representations of good and evil - but the magic had gone.

Maybe the key is that Tess is a book written by an emotional adolescent - Hardy was a writer who arguably never really grew up, and his own relationships seem to bear this out - which speaks most forcefully to other adolescents. The melodrama and the suffering, the torment and the injustice which Tess is put through really are meat and drink to the average sensitive sixteen year old, but seem perhaps a bit foolish in retrospect.

But this isn't really a criticism. 'Tess' is by far the greatest of Hardy's novels and the high point of his career as a novelist (Jude the Obscure would tip over into self parody) and is written with a rare passion - Hardy said that he loved Tess and, although he perhaps had a funny way of showing it, his depth of feeling for his creation really comes through. Like 'The Catcher in the Rye', if you're in the right demographic - a sixteen year old or someone who still feels like one - you're going to love it. If not, you may wonder what all the fuss is about and should perhaps move straight on to Dickens.



Ben Dinsdale, 23 Sep 2008
I am Gay and i think you'll find that this story still resonates but more like a just-polished cameo piece from a forgotten time. At the core of the book is the elaborate infatuation Jay Gatsby has for Daisy Fay Buchanan, a love story portrayed with both a languid pall and a fatalistic urgency. But the broader context of the setting and the irreconcilable nature of the American dream in the 1920's is what give the novel its true gravitas.

Much of this is eloquently articulated by Nick Carraway, Gatsby's modest Long Island neighbor who becomes his most trusted confidante. Nick is responsible for reuniting the lovers who both have come to different points in their lives five years after their aborted romance. Now a solitary figure in his luxurious mansion, Gatsby is a newly wealthy man who accumulated his fortunes through dubious means. Daisy, on the other hand, has always led a life of privilege and could not let love stand in the way of her comfortable existence. She married Tom Buchanan for that sole purpose. With Gatsby's ambition spurred by his love for Daisy, he rekindles his romance with Daisy, as Tom carries on carelessly with an auto mechanic's grasping wife. Nick himself gets caught up in the jet set trappings and has a relationship with Jordan Baker, a young golf pro.

These characters are inevitably led on a collision course that exposes the hypocrisy of the rich, the falsity of a love undeserving and the transience of individuals on this earth. The strength of Fitzgerald's treatment comes from the lyrical prose he provides to illuminate these themes. Not a word is wasted, and the author's economical handling of such a potentially complex plot is a technique I wish were more frequently replicated today. Most of all, I simply enjoy the book because it does not portend a greater significance eighty years later. It is a classic tale that provides vibrancy and texture to a bygone era. It is well worth re-reading, especially at such a bargain price.

What a read!, 22 Apr 2008
One of my resolutions for 2008 is to broaden my literary horizens. After studying English Lit to A-Level, my interest has fallen to the wayside. So on my quest to better myself through literature, I read "The Old Man and the Sea", which I just couldn't relate to. So imagine my relief when I started reading "The Great Gatsby". I'm so glad I perservered with classic books!

TGG is a great read. It's fast-paced from the outset, and gripping towards the end - I couldn't put it down. I even tried to convince family and friends to read it afterwards; but to no avail - so if I manage to get even ONE person to read it from writing this review, then good! Definitely recommended.

The great American novel?, 25 Mar 2008
Beautifully written, spare, dramatic and haunting - could this at last be the great American novel?

Good, but I don't see what all the fuss is about., 26 Dec 2007
A rather interesting novel and initially it wasn't all that apparent to me why people always linked the failure of the American dream and this story together. Superficially the story is that of love reawakening, Gatsby having initially been rejected by his childhood love for not having sufficient means acquires the means through various ill gotten ways and the lovers reunite despite the fact that she is not married to a boorish but very American man. Much is made that this novel is a startling exposition of the American dream and materialism, and it does this but to a lesser extent than most people make out. I didn't find the metaphors to be profound after reflection nor did I think the plot and language to be that great. That said it still was a fairly good book, an enjoyable read though a bit of anti-climax to what I had been expecting. The characters aren't particularly likeable and stay only briefly in memory, the story entertains but I feel that this book doesn't deserve all the acclaim it has got.

Few books grip your imagination as easily as this one, 27 Aug 2007
Oh, the casual ease with which this romance is written is staggering. It is not without its little faults as a whole, but then what book is?! The sad and whistful story of a nearly man is entirley subordinate to the smoothly poetic style it is written in and yet is complemented perfectly by it, and elevated by it. This is a really melancholy tale and if you're feeling a bit emotionally down for whatever reason, I'd even put off reading it until you're fighting fit again, as it really is affecting. Some may want a more concrete story than the author is clearly willing to give, but if you can live with (deliberate) vagueness of details and you love a good mystery and a romance then you cannot go wrong with this delightful story.

Listen and enjoy ( and remember Animal Magic!), 15 Apr 2008
I'd always enjoyed being read and later reading myself the Just So Stories. With children of my own I started them on these stories and having a cd of them means we can enjoy them on the move. The joy of hearing Jonnie Morris' super animal voice characterisations just adds to the enjoyment - takes me back to watching Animal Magic - deep joy!
Four year old daughter enjoys listening to the stories but my nine year old son has become a great fan - this now regularly is on his cd player in his room.
Buy this and you'll all be able to listen together and enjoy.

Its a classic for a reason, 16 Sep 2008
I really enjoyed this far more then I thought it would. Its lovely to step back into the world of Austen and see what love can be like at its most innocent. Beautifully written with comedy throughout, a must for all romance fans! I only wish I had read this sooner

Who am I to critique such a classic work by Jane Austen?, 30 Jul 2008
Not someone properly suited for such a task, I can tell you that. What I can do, however, is give an honest and heartfelt account of what I thought of Jane Austen's 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE'. I have always wanted to read some of the classics but have never up until now dug up the courage to actually do so. I thought if I was going to start reading a classic novel Jane Austen would probably be a good author to start with and what better choice was there than her stand out 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE' ? I was pleased to find out that I was absolutely right. 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE' has to be one of the most romantic novels that I have ever read. The romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy literally made me swoon quite often (and I don't swoon!). Romance mixed with a little bit of drama and Austen's most descriptive prose made it impossible for me to put this book down. Now I see why 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE' is on so many people's favorites list because now it is most certainly on mine.

Fantastic - a timeless classic, 26 Jun 2008
The plot and principal characters are well known. I read this possibly six times in school when I was 14. What emerges for me from reading this much later is that neither Elizabeth, nor Darcy are - initially at least - the perfect, but misunderstood human beings of the screen versions. Darcy, it is clear, is an insufferable snob and it is not at all clear that he ever gets past this. Yes, in the end he has no problem in accepting Elizabeth despite her relatively low social station - that is because he has fallen in love with her. But is he really as transformed as Elizabeth believes by the end of the novel? Does it even matter to her, as Elizabeth will now ascend to a higher social station anyway? Elizabeth is also utterly quick to judge and with Wickham for example, is blind to his faults despite the clear evidence of his mercenary motivations as amply pointed out to her by Mrs Gardiner. What one has to remember however is that Elizabeth is only 21 and Darcy probably no more than 26. They can be forgiven their failings (Elizabeth her prejudice, Darcy his pride and haughtiness) to some extent. This is a novel as much about growing up and reaching maturity, as it is about the danger of judging on first impressions.

Another aspect that one does not appreciate at 14 is the social background to the novel. It is a time of the emergence of mass consumerism in England and of rapid technological and economic innovation. England was the cradle of capitalism and here it is being perfected at this time. This is evident throughout the novel and money and all things money related are always part of the main event.

Although Austen was a master of the novel form, this is not a perfect novel. Compare for example the crisp, no nonsense, galloping opening chapters with some of the final chapters that completely belabour the Wickham episode and how they slow down the narrative and plot resolution. These minor criticisms aside, P&P is a stunning achievement by a literary genius and it will never lose its appeal.


Perfect!, 26 May 2008
Austen's best novel and one of the best in English Literature. A completely realistic and loveable cast of characters and one of the great love stories of all time. It should be compulsary to read this book.

Fabulous!, 17 Mar 2008
Although I don't look like a bookwormy type (unless you know me), this is my favorite book. I read it first aged 11 and now aged nearly 13, it continues to guide me. I own a much abused copy of all the jane austen books which I continue to read, even when in class, when I am reading it under the desk in Latin (which is no mean feat! Do you know how thick it is?!?) or when eat chocolate.

My favorite parts are when Lizzie realises that Mr Darcy isn't as bad as she think's he his, and he has actually secretly been helping her.


EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS!

A feel good book!, 14 Oct 2008
This really was a lovely read and leaves you with a big smile on your face at the end. I won't go over the plot, as so many other reviewers have described it so well already. Suffice to say that Miss Pettigrew starts the day as one person and ends it as another.

It just goes to show you what can happen in the space of one day!

COMFORTING BOOK., 20 Sep 2008
We read books for many reasons and sometimes for comfort.
This book is a comforting book, to read while snuggled up in front of the fire on a cold day, or under the blankets on a Saturday afternoon.

The perennial problem of the poor who need work to provide food, clothes and a shelter is experienced by Miss Pettigrew and fortunately (and because of her determination and strength) she finds the right job.
This requires fortitude and a moral fibre which is most admirable and all is rewarded at the end, like a true fairy story.

The fact that there is a 'tongue in cheek' tone to the novel makes it real, and not a syrupy little tale.
It is set in a certain time in London's history but it rings true of today as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommended anyone to buy it, and sit down with a cup of tea and a blanket and read away the afternoon.

Val De Beer.

Miss Pettigrew and the Glitterati..., 19 Aug 2008
Like almost everyone, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am a great admirer of the actress Frances McDormand and I think she may excel as Miss Pettigrew if the screen adaptation lives up to the speed and panache of the original story. Yes, ... the original story ... It is definitely of the Cindrella variety and none the worse for that. Some have seen the influence of others in its origins - but none has yet pointed out the faint echoes of a memorable short story by W.S. Maugham about the unexpected London triumph, both social and sartorial, of a mature widow called "Jane". Now I don't exactly remember the date of Somerset Maugham's story (it may have been written before Miss Watson's or afterwards) and so one may have influenced the other to a degree. As to the dialogue, "sparkling" is the word - although the occasional anti-semitisms and xenophobia still come as a bit of a shock in these PC times. That being said, a glorious read. I shall try to obtain the other works by this strangely neglected author.

What a difference a day makes . . ., 16 Aug 2008
Miss Pettigrew must find a job. She is a governess - but not a very successful one as she says herself. She is directed to the address of Miss LaFosse and inadvertantly gets involved in her life and loves. The people she is introduced to - Delysia LaFosse's young men - and her professional life - she is a night club singer - changes Guinevere Pettigrew's life for ever. Touching and funny this Cinderella tale shows how chance met people can have an irrevocable effect on each other. The dialogue sparkles and Miss Pettigrew's thoughts illuminate the difference between the two life styles. The story as it unfolds also shows how you think of yourself plays a big part in how others see you, and that very small changes to your appearance can have a huge effect. I am sure it will make a brilliant film which will make Miss Pettigrew's brand of wisdom available to a wider audience.

a Spiffing good read!, 09 Aug 2008
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (Persephone Classics)
I read this after reading about the author and the book in a sunday supplement. Thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it - an uplifting read with the good feel good factor that makes you feel pleasantly pleased after reading it - which you will do quickly as it is hard to put down. I recommend it to everyone! What a shame the author never done a sequel

One of best books ever written, 10 Apr 2008
This is one of my favourite books and one I constantly re-read. I love all the characters, especially the way they are neither beautiful or perfect people. But the main reason I love this book is the character of Rochester and the way he loves Jane. He is definitely my favourite hero of all time.

Jane Eyre, 30 Mar 2008
My mom recommended that I read this book because it is a classic romance and I love Pride and Prejudice and Emma which are the same genre. My mom was right.
Jane is a likable character because she is so brave and head strong and through out the whole second half of the book I was mentally screaming at her to go back to Mr Rochester. I mean, who cares that he is already married.
A bit frustrating how I didn't get what I wanted until the last few chapters and how she was actually thinking of marrying St John.
Recommend it highly.
Now all I need to do is to watch the film.
By Nicole, aged 15.

the best love lines in history?, 07 Mar 2008
I've just read and re-read and re-read again this fabulous book after many years alongside the Wide Sargasso Sea for a book club I belong to.
Try out page 250 for some of the best love lines ever written - who couldn't love Rochester after his proposal, even if he plays games with Jane? I'd forgotten how humourous and fun some of the dialogue is between them - this is at heart a happy and hopeful book, and not half as gothic as Wuthering Heights. Jane's best words are the speech she says in her own head 'I care for myself...'.This is a female character who is unafraid to love passionately but maintains her integrity and keeps her faith and humanity intact by the end of the book. Ditch the cynic and let the words flow over you.

My all time favourtie, 17 Feb 2008
This was the first "grown up" book that i ever read and i still re-read it now 13 years on. It is a tale that has everything you could want from a novel and truly is a classic. Unlike her sister emily, charlotte bronte does not bog down the story with too many words so this is more readable than the complicated (albeit brilliant) wuthering heights. I did not take to charlotte bronte's other novels but this one i would recommend to everyone. If you have not read this book then i feel you are missing out.

not very good, 15 Feb 2008
After hearing all the talk about this book i was expecting something a bit more pleasing to the mind.
Jane seemed like a perfectly nice girl, but she has an annoying way of thinking that she is the one with all the brains in the book.
I did not like the way that charlotte bronte wrote the order of events that happened in the story.
All in all, very dissapointing.

Thomas Hardy at his best, 15 Sep 2008
I was first introduced to Thomas Hardy at the age of 12 via an extract of this book in a girls' annual. Just that one short passage was enough to make me want to read the rest of the novel and from then I became a Hardy fan and this remains my favourite Hardy. If you have never read Hardy this would be a wonderful introduction to a great writer.

This is the tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, Thomas Hardy's favourite heroine. For a visually stunning depiction of Tess I would also recommend Roman Polanski's "Tess", starring Natassja Kinski.

sad and tragic, 21 Sep 2007
I really like Hardy's novels for all the themes they deal with. This book tells of Tess, a womanwho is treated badly by society and cant find a way out of her destiny. Hardy uses lots of symbolism in the novel, i.e weather etc.

A truly pure woman, 07 Mar 2007
In this book, Hardy tells us of the tragic story of Tess, a self-sacrificing woman who seemingly cannot escape her destiny or find happiness. Packed with emotion and landscape symbolism, in "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" one can't help feeling strong sympathy for her character and the unfair course of events in her life, which leads me to affirm that she is indeed "a pure woman", as the subtitle of the novel declared. Although to some the plot of this novel may seem unnecessarily tragic, this book is simply unputdownable and, once in a while, it is a joy -to me, at least- to read a story that touches one's heart so deeply.


Simply Wonderful, 30 Jan 2007
This has to be one of the best books I've ever read. A tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman of pure spirit wronged by society and forced to live in shame, even though she was the victim of a crime (rape). The story ebbed and flowed like a long running soap opera until its tragic end. The author's use of prose was lyrical and magical. I wished I had marked my favorites to quote now. Maybe next time I read this.

Highly highly recommended.


If you're an adolescent... or still feel like one..., 26 Oct 2006
I have to give Tess five stars because no book I have read before or since has moved me to such a degree. Thirty years later I still have my original copy, entirely disintegrated, the glue dissolved, very possibly by my hot adolescent tears. It simply tore me apart - I remember in particular struggling to finish Tess's letter from Flintcomb-Ash through eyes blurred with grief and that after finishing the book I was well-nigh inconsolable for days. I spent the following summer touring the Dorset locations on my bicycle as a kind of pilgrimage, and remember those cruel hills pretty well too.

But having said that, I was sixteen at the time and emotionally wide open. Reading it five years later, I could hardly get past the clumsiness and infelicities in the writing and the crude manipulation and melodrama of the plot. How could I have fallen for this? Reading it again another ten years further on I better understood the theatricality of it - it should be read in some ways like the old ballads with which Hardy was very familiar, with their highly exaggerated representations of good and evil - but the magic had gone.

Maybe the key is that Tess is a book written by an emotional adolescent - Hardy was a writer who arguably never really grew up, and his own relationships seem to bear this out - which speaks most forcefully to other adolescents. The melodrama and the suffering, the torment and the injustice which Tess is put through really are meat and drink to the average sensitive sixteen year old, but seem perhaps a bit foolish in retrospect.

But this isn't really a criticism. 'Tess' is by far the greatest of Hardy's novels and the high point of his career as a novelist (Jude the Obscure would tip over into self parody) and is written with a rare passion - Hardy said that he loved Tess and, although he perhaps had a funny way of showing it, his depth of feeling for his creation really comes through. Like 'The Catcher in the Rye', if you're in the right demographic - a sixteen year old or someone who still feels like one - you're going to love it. If not, you may wonder what all the fuss is about and should perhaps move straight on to Dickens.



Ben Dinsdale, 23 Sep 2008
I am Gay and i think you'll find that this story still resonates but more like a just-polished cameo piece from a forgotten time. At the core of the book is the elaborate infatuation Jay Gatsby has for Daisy Fay Buchanan, a love story portrayed with both a languid pall and a fatalistic urgency. But the broader context of the setting and the irreconcilable nature of the American dream in the 1920's is what give the novel its true gravitas.

Much of this is eloquently articulated by Nick Carraway, Gatsby's modest Long Island neighbor who becomes his most trusted confidante. Nick is responsible for reuniting the lovers who both have come to different points in their lives five years after their aborted romance. Now a solitary figure in his luxurious mansion, Gatsby is a newly wealthy man who accumulated his fortunes through dubious means. Daisy, on the other hand, has always led a life of privilege and could not let love stand in the way of her comfortable existence. She married Tom Buchanan for that sole purpose. With Gatsby's ambition spurred by his love for Daisy, he rekindles his romance with Daisy, as Tom carries on carelessly with an auto mechanic's grasping wife. Nick himself gets caught up in the jet set trappings and has a relationship with Jordan Baker, a young golf pro.

These characters are inevitably led on a collision course that exposes the hypocrisy of the rich, the falsity of a love undeserving and the transience of individuals on this earth. The strength of Fitzgerald's treatment comes from the lyrical prose he provides to illuminate these themes. Not a word is wasted, and the author's economical handling of such a potentially complex plot is a technique I wish were more frequently replicated today. Most of all, I simply enjoy the book because it does not portend a greater significance eighty years later. It is a classic tale that provides vibrancy and texture to a bygone era. It is well worth re-reading, especially at such a bargain price.

What a read!, 22 Apr 2008
One of my resolutions for 2008 is to broaden my literary horizens. After studying English Lit to A-Level, my interest has fallen to the wayside. So on my quest to better myself through literature, I read "The Old Man and the Sea", which I just couldn't relate to. So imagine my relief when I started reading "The Great Gatsby". I'm so glad I perservered with classic books!

TGG is a great read. It's fast-paced from the outset, and gripping towards the end - I couldn't put it down. I even tried to convince family and friends to read it afterwards; but to no avail - so if I manage to get even ONE person to read it from writing this review, then good! Definitely recommended.

The great American novel?, 25 Mar 2008
Beautifully written, spare, dramatic and haunting - could this at last be the great American novel?

Good, but I don't see what all the fuss is about., 26 Dec 2007
A rather interesting novel and initially it wasn't all that apparent to me why people always linked the failure of the American dream and this story together. Superficially the story is that of love reawakening, Gatsby having initially been rejected by his childhood love for not having sufficient means acquires the means through various ill gotten ways and the lovers reunite despite the fact that she is not married to a boorish but very American man. Much is made that this novel is a startling exposition of the American dream and materialism, and it does this but to a lesser extent than most people make out. I didn't find the metaphors to be profound after reflection nor did I think the plot and language to be that great. That said it still was a fairly good book, an enjoyable read though a bit of anti-climax to what I had been expecting. The characters aren't particularly likeable and stay only briefly in memory, the story entertains but I feel that this book doesn't deserve all the acclaim it has got.

Few books grip your imagination as easily as this one, 27 Aug 2007
Oh, the casual ease with which this romance is written is staggering. It is not without its little faults as a whole, but then what book is?! The sad and whistful story of a nearly man is entirley subordinate to the smoothly poetic style it is written in and yet is complemented perfectly by it, and elevated by it. This is a really melancholy tale and if you're feeling a bit emotionally down for whatever reason, I'd even put off reading it until you're fighting fit again, as it really is affecting. Some may want a more concrete story than the author is clearly willing to give, but if you can live with (deliberate) vagueness of details and you love a good mystery and a romance then you cannot go wrong with this delightful story.

Listen and enjoy ( and remember Animal Magic!), 15 Apr 2008
I'd always enjoyed being read and later reading myself the Just So Stories. With children of my own I started them on these stories and having a cd of them means we can enjoy them on the move. The joy of hearing Jonnie Morris' super animal voice characterisations just adds to the enjoyment - takes me back to watching Animal Magic - deep joy!
Four year old daughter enjoys listening to the stories but my nine year old son has become a great fan - this now regularly is on his cd player in his room.
Buy this and you'll all be able to listen together and enjoy.

Its a classic for a reason, 16 Sep 2008
I really enjoyed this far more then I thought it would. Its lovely to step back into the world of Austen and see what love can be like at its most innocent. Beautifully written with comedy throughout, a must for all romance fans! I only wish I had read this sooner

Who am I to critique such a classic work by Jane Austen?, 30 Jul 2008
Not someone properly suited for such a task, I can tell you that. What I can do, however, is give an honest and heartfelt account of what I thought of Jane Austen's 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE'. I have always wanted to read some of the classics but have never up until now dug up the courage to actually do so. I thought if I was going to start reading a classic novel Jane Austen would probably be a good author to start with and what better choice was there than her stand out 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE' ? I was pleased to find out that I was absolutely right. 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE' has to be one of the most romantic novels that I have ever read. The romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy literally made me swoon quite often (and I don't swoon!). Romance mixed with a little bit of drama and Austen's most descriptive prose made it impossible for me to put this book down. Now I see why 'PRIDE & PREJUDICE' is on so many people's favorites list because now it is most certainly on mine.

Fantastic - a timeless classic, 26 Jun 2008
The plot and principal characters are well known. I read this possibly six times in school when I was 14. What emerges for me from reading this much later is that neither Elizabeth, nor Darcy are - initially at least - the perfect, but misunderstood human beings of the screen versions. Darcy, it is clear, is an insufferable snob and it is not at all clear that he ever gets past this. Yes, in the end he has no problem in accepting Elizabeth despite her relatively low social station - that is because he has fallen in love with her. But is he really as transformed as Elizabeth believes by the end of the novel? Does it even matter to her, as Elizabeth will now ascend to a higher social station anyway? Elizabeth is also utterly quick to judge and with Wickham for example, is blind to his faults despite the clear evidence of his mercenary motivations as amply pointed out to her by Mrs Gardiner. What one has to remember however is that Elizabeth is only 21 and Darcy probably no more than 26. They can be forgiven their failings (Elizabeth her prejudice, Darcy his pride and haughtiness) to some extent. This is a novel as much about growing up and reaching maturity, as it is about the danger of judging on first impressions.

Another aspect that one does not appreciate at 14 is the social background to the novel. It is a time of the emergence of mass consumerism in England and of rapid technological and economic innovation. England was the cradle of capitalism and here it is being perfected at this time. This is evident throughout the novel and money and all things money related are always part of the main event.

Although Austen was a master of the novel form, this is not a perfect novel. Compare for example the crisp, no nonsense, galloping opening chapters with some of the final chapters that completely belabour the Wickham episode and how they slow down the narrative and plot resolution. These minor criticisms aside, P&P is a stunning achievement by a literary genius and it will never lose its appeal.


Perfect!, 26 May 2008
Austen's best novel and one of the best in English Literature. A completely realistic and loveable cast of characters and one of the great love stories of all time. It should be compulsary to read this book.

Fabulous!, 17 Mar 2008
Although I don't look like a bookwormy type (unless you know me), this is my favorite book. I read it first aged 11 and now aged nearly 13, it continues to guide me. I own a much abused copy of all the jane austen books which I continue to read, even when in class, when I am reading it under the desk in Latin (which is no mean feat! Do you know how thick it is?!?) or when eat chocolate.

My favorite parts are when Lizzie realises that Mr Darcy isn't as bad as she think's he his, and he has actually secretly been helping her.


EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS!

A feel good book!, 14 Oct 2008
This really was a lovely read and leaves you with a big smile on your face at the end. I won't go over the plot, as so many other reviewers have described it so well already. Suffice to say that Miss Pettigrew starts the day as one person and ends it as another.

It just goes to show you what can happen in the space of one day!

COMFORTING BOOK., 20 Sep 2008
We read books for many reasons and sometimes for comfort.
This book is a comforting book, to read while snuggled up in front of the fire on a cold day, or under the blankets on a Saturday afternoon.

The perennial problem of the poor who need work to provide food, clothes and a shelter is experienced by Miss Pettigrew and fortunately (and because of her determination and strength) she finds the right job.
This requires fortitude and a moral fibre which is most admirable and all is rewarded at the end, like a true fairy story.

The fact that there is a 'tongue in cheek' tone to the novel makes it real, and not a syrupy little tale.
It is set in a certain time in Lo