Summer of Classics

This summer I've decided to go back and re-read some of those classic books that we are nearly all forced to read through high school and college.  I remember reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald way back in the early 80's as a Freshman in high school.  Now I don't think I thought much of the book at that age.  I mean, what did I know about the American Dream at that age? 

Re-reading it now that I am 37, I feel a much deeper appreciation for this novel.  It seems especially timely since I recently read Mengestu's The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears.  These books have a lot of themes in common -- the pursuit of the elusive American Dream & the constrictions of class come to mind. 

I'm sure many of you have read this book already, so I'll forgo the plot summary.  But if you haven't read it since high school, think about taking it out of that old box or off that dusty shelf and giving it another try.

Comments

[Morgan]

Lucky me.. When I read it in high school there was also a dinner theater in town that had it showing as a wonderful musical (Like I said.. lucky.) There are many other books though that I could not stand shoveling down.

[Asaknitter]

Great idea, I was thinking about what to read next.

[jessie]

One of my favorite books of all time, right from high school. I named one of my chickens Daisy because of that book!

I don't get the "summer reading" thing since I usually have even less time than normal to read. However, the best summer I think I ever had was the one right before freshman year in high school when I was sent a huge required reading list from this private school I was about to attend. What a nerd, huh?

Anyway, I read everything on the list including Daphne DuMaurier's "Rebecca." That book set such a mood for me, and I remember lying around reading it, being totally captivated by the setting and the sinister plot and the whole English country house thing.

Assigned summer reading: that's about the only reason I'd ever wish to be 14 again. :-)

[Erin]

My suggestion for you is to also re-read To Kill a Mockingbird ... it's one of those books that knocks you off your seat when you read it as an adult.