What Readers Are Saying About The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby Reviews– Reviewed by Insiders is a series of posts where community members share their thoughts on the books I’ve recommended. I always find it exciting to hear what others think after reading these stories. Below, you’ll find a few reviews from insiders who explored The Great Gatsby.

I love when someone reaches out to share their thoughts after reading one of my recommendations. It’s what makes this work so rewarding and keeps me motivated. There’s something special about connecting with others over the books that touch us.

Here are a few reviews from insiders who shared their reflections on The Great Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby reviews from insiders

This is a small selection of the book reviews written by this community of insiders. For more The Great Gatsby reviews, check out my bookshelf.

‘I have to say, The Great Gatsby hits differently every time I read it. The first time, I was in college, and I kind of missed the depth of it all. I saw Gatsby as this hopeless romantic, chasing Daisy, and I didn’t really get why it was such a big deal. But now it’s like I’m seeing it with new eyes, especially now that I understand the weight of chasing a dream that’s just out of reach.

Gatsby, for me, isn’t just after a woman—he’s after a dream that doesn’t even exist anymore. His whole life is built on this fantasy, this perfect moment with Daisy that he can never relive. It’s heartbreaking when you realize he’s spent all this time trying to recapture something that was never really his. I think that’s what resonates with me now. We all have our own versions of that ‘perfect moment’ we want to chase, but sometimes, it’s just not meant to be. It’s a tough lesson, but it’s so real.

What I love about The Great Gatsby is how it quietly explores our desires and ambitions, and what can happen when we blindly pursue them. It’s a reminder that some dreams are better left in the past.’ (4 out of 5 stars)

— Gayle

‘The Great Gatsby is a weird one for me. I love how beautiful and glamorous everything seems at first—Gatsby’s parties, the opulent lifestyle, the whole idea of the American Dream. But when you look closer, it’s all kind of hollow. It’s like this shiny exterior, but inside, everything’s empty. It’s a bit of a nightmare.

Gatsby is obsessed with Daisy, but when you really think about it, he’s not in love with her; he’s in love with what she represents—this idea of perfection that he’s built in his mind. Daisy is also not exactly what I’d call a great person. She’s charming, sure, but she’s selfish and shallow in the end, and that’s part of what makes this story so fascinating. It’s not just about love—it’s about how we get caught up in these illusions, thinking that wealth or status or love can fill the emptiness inside.

What strikes me most about this book is how it lays bare the emptiness of it all. The characters are so focused on chasing things that won’t actually make them happy, and in the end, they’re left with nothing. It’s such a raw look at how chasing an ideal can end up destroying you. It’s not the easiest read, but it’s definitely one that sticks with you.’ (3,5 out of 5)

— Valerie

Thank you for reading! On my bookshelf, you find more book reviews of The Great Gatsby. Feel free to share your own thoughts. Buy this book on Bol.com, Amazon, Waterstones, or Audible.