Here at Literary Traveler we are enjoying the summer sun with a side of Gatsby. For a refresher course on all things Fitzgerald, check out our latest posts — a feast of Gatsby goodness for the seasoned Fitzgerald enthusiast or those diving in for the first time.
ADAPTATIONS:
Literary Traveler takes on Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby with our staff reviews. From praise to criticism, the LT team agrees to disagree in “Anatomy of The Great Gatsby.” Read it here.
While the Gatsby adaptation on the tip of everyone’s tounge is Luhrmann’s film, did you know The Great Gatsby was also adapted into an opera. How does it measure up to the novel? Check out our review of a recent Boston performance. Read it here.
PARTY PLANNING:
Everyone loves to party like it’s 1925, but in order to do it by the book, you must first learn from the best. Find out how to throw your very own Gatsby-style soiree. Join us, we’re hosting a party, old sport! Read it here.
HISTORY:
Learn about the disturbing history behind the iconic flapper dance. Join us as we delve into the origin of the Charleston in — you guessed it — Charleston, South Carolina. Read it here.
One of the original titles of The Great Gatsby was Under the Red, White, and Blue — fitting for an author related to the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” don’t you think? Learn about the history and Fitzgerald’s connection to the United States’ national anthem. Read it here.
READING LISTS:
Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald were the supercouple of the 1920s, but who was Zelda aside from Fitzgerald’s wife and one half of the infamous duo? The original flapper steps out of her husband’s shadow and into the spotlight in our “Zelda Fitzgerald Reading List.” Read it here.
This is undeniably the summer of Gatsby, and Luhrmann’s adaptation has people reading and rereading Fitzgerald’s classic novel. While we have been hooked on the tome since high school, others are just discovering or rediscovering it now. So, you liked The Great Gatsby? If you’ve caught the Fitzgerald bug, or perhaps want to learn more about the infamous era, we offer suggestions on what to read next. Read it here.
WHY IT MATTERS:
Literature is often a reflection of the past, but at the same time, when done exceptionally, it is a timeless expression of humanity. Fitzgerald and Edith Wharton both published now-classic novels in 1925: the former, a modern take on love during the Roaring Twenties, and the latter, an epic love story set in the late nineteenth century. While the two books are clearly of different generations, both continue to resonate with readers for their emotional depth, and they remain immune to the effects of time. Read more here.