Present: Gill, Carl "Gin Martini" Barnes, Shubha, Jennie, Nic and, a little later than billed, Eamonn.
With a wonderfully grand and aged staircase up to the main restaurant, this was a great venue to discuss a book which vibrantly brought to life the decadence and opulence of America in the 1920s. Carl brought a little more of that to life as he arrived for brunch hung-over and called immediately for a gin martini with Tanqueray and a twist. Style.
Superficially, this was the story of a man's obsession with a failed love affair and his prolonged and impassioned attempt to recapture a lost moment but, in an unusually high-brow discussion, we discussed this as a metaphor for the corruption of the American dream: the narrator and Gatsby illustrating the ability for anyone of any background to 'make it big' in postwar America whilst Daisy and Tom represent the established, monied but morally bankrupt classes judging the new comers and finding them wanting.
We felt that, in keeping with the superficiality of the lifestyles portrayed, we didn't really get to know the characters. However, from what we knew, we found Daisy spoiled and selfish, ready to betray the man she loved (or had, perhaps, loved) to save her own position in society, whilst Gatsby, the nouveau riche criminal, had real heart and paid the ultimate price for loving and protecting her.
The book was well-received by those present (though Shubha had some way to go still). I, having a very strong recollection of loving Tender is the Night and, without recalling that novel in real detail, felt this did not live up to the huge expectations I placed upon it. Meanwhile, conversely, Jennie, who loved this book, recalled hating Tender is the Night.
Further comments, particularly from those who were absent, welcomed.
Jen:
Not much to add to that I think!