Literature In 125 Words: The Great Gatsby

Year or so ago read a story about how "The Classics" were going to be published in shorter versions, to be more reader friendly. Who needs to read a chapter from Melville on whale blubber? Well, problem is, that it's never just about whale blubber is it?

I was thinking why stop with shortening a 700 page book to say 350 pages. Do it right! Get it down to 125 Words.

F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby gets the first such treatment:

I, Nick Carraway, was told to go East. Settled in West Egg, cannot reside in the East for I am too honest. I stare out to the green light and imagine the life of Gatsby across the bay—then watch him vanish. My eyes aren’t the only witness, glance up to the faded eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg's watching over the ash heaps. Tom’s a brute, ruling life. Watch Daisy float and fall in love with shirts. Jordan cheats and could never be. Poor Myrtle, ripped asunder, damned. Then Gatsby, the man I knew, but did not. Really Gatz, but his books were real. I did not pull the lever. Glittering and new gray ash heaps, before me, pathfinder for a generation in the loneliest decade.


Okay, now your turn!

Everything Deserves An Introduction

Primarily this will be a book heavy blog. Blog. I do not like this word. As a rule I love language, but there are words that just stick in the mouth and clunk about, blog being one of them.

I thoroughly enjoy writing about literature, which since I love to read, well is handy—oh and loads of READ THIS BOOK will be happening.

Look for HotSexyBookLove to make many, many such statements (oh and may I suggest following @HotSexyBookLove on Twitter).

This might manifest as a book here or there, maybe a reading list, or if I am really into it, a full on Syllabus style list. Yeah. I love the syllabi creation. Syllabi are fun!

I do not just do reading of books—I think EVERYTHING is a text to be read.

Have a “Lost” (yes the phenomenal TV show) project that I have been grappling with for what feels like ages now, that I am working my way back to, so really, expect theories and arguments stemming from my developing reading of “Lost” to appear.

And of course movies; already working on something on Say Anything and The Big Lebowski.

One thing I hope for, comments—lead to conversation.

Really it will shake itself out as it comes along.

Now it has to begin, eh?

Have To Begin Somewhere

I have an idea. Well ideas. Now it is up to me to see what I can or will do with them.

Stay tuned. Or do not turn the page on me just yet.