A Stolen Life: Book Review

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Book: A Stolen Life
Author: Jaycee Dugard

Synopsis: On 10 June 1991, eleven-year-old Jaycee Dugard was abducted from a school bus stop within sight of her home in Tahoe, California. It was the last her family and friends saw of her for over eighteen years. On 26 August 2009, Dugard, her daughters, and Phillip Craig Garrido appeared in the office of her kidnapper's parole officer in California. Their unusual behaviour sparked an investigation that led to the positive identification of Jaycee Lee Dugard, living in a tent behind Garrido's home. During her time in captivity, at the age of fourteen and seventeen, she gave birth to two daughters, both fathered by Garrido. 

Dugard's memoir is written by the 30-year-old herself and covers the period from the time of her abduction in 1991 up until the present. In her stark, utterly honest and unflinching narrative, Jaycee opens up about what she experienced, including how she feels now, a year after being found. Garrido and his wife Nancy have since pleaded guilty to their crimes.

***

A Stolen Life took me on the wild ride in what was 18 years of Jaycee Dugards life. There is no other way to say that this book is unlike others. This review may include spoilers, so please read at your own discretion.

The first 2/3 of the book Jaycee tells you about what her life in captivity was like. Her writing portrays that she still vividly remembers most of the events that occurred during that time period. She writes in graphic detail (well as graphic as she can with a fifth grade education level) the torture she endured. She described the "runs" that Phillip Garrido would make her do. For those who want to know what a "run" is without reading the book - they were drug induced sex sprees that Phillip would go on and make Jaycee participate in. She was continuously raped throughout her 18 years in captivity.

These multiple rapes resulted in two daughters. She gave birth to her first one at 14, and the other at 17. She was unable to go to a hospital during birth, so she birthed each daughter at home with the help of Nancy and Phillip Garrido. The only drug she was given was codeine to help with her pain. To be completely honest, I'm surprised each birth went without complication or infection. To give birth in a non-sterile environment, not once, but twice, is just grounds for asking for an infection. Luckily, both her and her daughters were in healthy condition after the birth(s).

Throughout the book Jaycee inserts some photos, some being old photos of her life before the abduction, others are while she was held in captivity. All of the photos that were during her captivity were not of her, but of animals (usually cats) or of her daughters. Phillip was wary that if she were to take photos of herself with a disposable camera that she would be recognized when he got the published. Later in the novel the photos were taken on a digital camera and she was able to print them out at home because they were running a printing business. 

I'm not going to go into full detail about everything that happens in the novel, because honestly, there's no way to sum up everything that happened to her, and frankly it's not my story to fully tell.

The end of the novel was about her experience outside of captivity, her life with her daughters, and her rehabilitation into the world. I will say that I did prefer the first 2/3 of the book, but I do think the way she ended the book was necessary for the reader to also get closure.

In the end, Jaycee Dugard went through things that no human should ever have to go through. She was ripped away from her life, and she was not the only victim. Her family also suffered, her friends, and her daughters. There are no excuses that can be made for Phillip and Nancy Girrados actions.

Cherry: Book Review

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Book: Cherry
Author: Lindsey Rosin

Synopsis: In this honest, frank, and funny debut novel, four best friends make a pact during their senior year of high school to lose their virginities—and end up finding friendship, love, and self-discovery along the way.

To be honest, the sex pact wasn’t always part of the plan. 

Layla started it. She announced it super casually to the rest of the girls between bites of frozen yogurt, as if it was just simply another addition to her massive, ever-evolving To Do List. She is determined to have sex for the first time before the end of high school. Initially, the rest of the crew is scandalized, but, once they all admit to wanting to lose their v-cards too, they embark on a quest to do the deed together... separately.

Layla’s got it in the bag. Her serious boyfriend, Logan, has been asking for months.

Alex has already done it. Or so she says.

Emma doesn’t know what the fuss is all about, but sure, she’ll give it a shot.

And Zoe, well, Zoe can’t even say the o word without bursting into giggles.

Will everything go according to plan? Probably not. But at least the girls have each other every hilarious, heart-warming, cringe-inducing step of the way.

From debut author Lindsey Rosin, Cherry is a coming-of-age, laugh-out-loud tale of first times, last chances, and the enduring friendships that make it all worthwhile.

***

Cherry was a fun, quick read. Although I'm almost 22, and have been out of high school for four years - this book made me feel like I too was a 17 year old girl in their friend group. Cherry was a nostalgic read. It was quick. There weren't parts that were boring, very little filler.

It has four points of view, the four friends. Usually, I'm not one for multiple points of view, but this time it worked. You got to see more in depth of each girls lives, as well, you really got to understand their point of view.

If you read the book, you'll understand why Zoe gets upset with Alex at one point you get to see both points of view and not just one.

However, although I thought the book was well written and enthralling, I rate it 3/5 stars. Over the years I've been picky about what books I am giving 5 stars. Basically, a five star book is a book that changes my perspective on life, or truly alters my reality. This book was fun and well deserves three stars. 

I'm Back

Hello, long time no blog.

Four years ago I lost access to this account. I honestly completely forgot about it for a short time. Recently, my email was alerted that someone tried to access my account.

So, thanks for trying to hack me? Because now I have this blog back and I'm excited.

We Were Liars : Book Review

Book: We Were Liars
Author: E. Lockhard

Synopsis: A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.

Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

* * *

WARNING: READ THE BOOK FIRST it's better going into it knowing nothing, THE COME BACK.

We Were Liars was a phenomenal read. It's a book of discovery, a book of mystery and a book of learning the truth. In this novel the main character, Cadence, discovers that everything has consequences and not everything  that seems to be normal actually is.

In this novel we were introduced to many characters, the main four, The Liars, are Mirren, Gat, Johnny and Cadence. Out of these four characters, Cadence was my favourite. This is because in the novel we start to understand and feel for Cadence. It also helps that she is whom is telling the story.

Cadence starts off as a really laid-low, well off girl. But as the novel progresses we find out that this is not all it's made up to be. Cadence goes from being happy and healthy, to a progressively deteriorating health. 

You begin to feel bad to Cadence as her family leaves her out of the loop, and everything she has to go through. I can say, I did get pretty angry at her mom more than a few times. 

We Were Liars  kept me guessing through the entire novel, as I tried to help Cadence discover the truth behind everything.

The writing style was one I particularly enjoy quite a bit, I'm not 100% sure what it's called, but for now I'll call it perfection. 

This book left me in an emotional state of unknown. There’s not even a Scrabble word for how I’m feeling right now… It left me wanting more. This has to be one of my all-time favourite novels I have read so far.

I give it 5/5, in my eyes it was a perfect novel.


 

Graphic Novels

Recently, I've really gotten into graphic novels.

No, not manga.

Actual graphic novels.

I've read two and a half graphic novels in the last week or two. They consist of:

    

Anya's Ghost is the first graphic novel I read this month.

Anya could really use a friend. But her new BFF isn't kidding about the "Forever" part.Of all the things Anya expected to find at the bottom of an old well, a new friend was not one of them. Especially not a new friend who’s been dead for a century.Falling down a well is bad enough, but Anya's normal life might actually be worse. She's embarrassed by her family, self-conscious about her body, and she's pretty much given up on fitting in at school. A new friend—even a ghost—is just what she needs.Or so she thinks. Spooky, sardonic, and secretly sincere, Anya's Ghost is a wonderfully entertaining debut from author/artist Vera Brosgol.  (source: goodreads)

It was an interesting book that left me wanting more at the end. With a surprising plot twist it had me on my toes for a good one half of the book. 5/5 stars from me. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good graphic novel to read, or even someone wanting to start reading graphic novels.

In Real Life was quite different from Anya's Ghost. 

Anda loves Coarsegold Online, the massively-multiplayer role-playing game where she spends most of her free time. It's a place where she can be a leader, a fighter, a hero. It's a place where she can meet people from all over the world, and make friends. 
But things become a lot more complicated when Anda befriends a gold farmer--a poor Chinese kid whose avatar in the game illegally collects valuable objects and then sells them to players from developed countries with money to burn. This behavior is strictly against the rules in Coarsegold, but Anda soon comes to realize that questions of right and wrong are a lot less straightforward when a real person's real livelihood is at stake. 
From acclaimed teen author (Little Brother, For the Win) and Boing Boing editor Cory Doctorow and Koko Be Good creator Jen Wang, In Real Life is a perceptive and high-stakes look at adolescence, gaming, poverty, and culture clash.  (source: goodreads)

The art in the graphic novel was magnificent, it was done in full colour and this is was what attracted me to the book in the first place. Anya's Ghost had been done fully in a black/grey/white colour scale, while this one used all colours. Anda, the main character of this graphic novel, felt very real, and very relate-able. Not to mention, she's a bad ass female who's trying to help someone to improve his quality of life. She's an endearing character, not one to forget. Another 5/5 stars from me.

Nimona is the graphic novel I am currently reading.

The graphic novel debut from rising star Noelle Stevenson, based on her beloved and critically acclaimed web comic, which Slate awarded its Cartoonist Studio Prize, calling it "a deadpan epic."

Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism! All these and more await in this brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic from Noelle Stevenson. Featuring an exclusive epilogue not seen in the web comic, along with bonus conceptual sketches and revised pages throughout, this gorgeous full-color graphic novel is perfect for the legions of fans of the web comic and is sure to win Noelle many new ones.

Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are.

But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit. (Source: goodreads)

I am only 34 pages into it, so I do not yet have overall final opinions of  this graphic novel. But I can tell you that I already really like the characters that have been introduced and the art style. I'm very excited to finish this graphic novel and tell you what my final opinions are.

Reading Slumps

Hey guys,

So my last post was my #Cramathon TBR. And do you want to know what I accomplished? I read about twenty pages of the book I am currently reading (The Probability of Miracles) and nothing more.

Truth is, I've been in a major reading slump for like

                                              months.

 

 

I can finish the odd book here or there, but I just have no motivation for any hardcore reading.

 

 

I haven't experienced a reading slump this bad since last year. It was the end of February/beginning of March and I had just finished the Divergent Series (and if you've all read this series, you know what happens in Allegiant). But anyway, I was in a reading slump from March until the end of June. I managed to read from June to the end of August a whopping 20+ books.

 

                                                                                                    It was a m a z i n g.

 



 

So my recent slump has been going on for about the same length of time. I wanted to read during June but I had exams to prepare for and I couldn't afford to lose my honours with all of the hard work I had put into getting there.

 

So here I am, July 20th, and I am approximately 15 books behind schedule on my Goodreads goal for the year.

 

I know I can catch up and exceed that goal if I really tried. I just need some motivation.

 

Hopefully that comes soon. Wish me luck!

#Cramathon

Hello hello!

I am happy to say I am back, summer vacation began two weeks ago and I finally have time to blog and read!

Today's post is about the books I am going to be reading for #cramathon this summer! If you don't know what CramAThon is here are some links to take you where to find out about it click here.

Here are the challenges try to read a:

1. Children's book
2. A hardcover
3. Two books in 24 hours
4. A graphic novel
5. A book written in verse
6. A novella
7. Five books in total

Here are some of the books I am going to try and read:

Children's Book:


The BFG by Roald Dahl.

Summary: Captured by a giant! The BFG is no ordinary bone-crunching giant. He is far too nice and jumbly. It's lucky for Sophie that he is. Had she been carried off in the middle of the night by the Bloodbottler, the Fleshlumpeater, the Bonecruncher, or any of the other giants-rather than the BFG-she would have soon become breakfast.
When Sophie hears that they are flush-bunking off in England to swollomp a few nice little chiddlers, she decides she must stop them once and for all. And the BFG is going to help her!


Hardcover:

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Summary: A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.

Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

Graphic Novel:

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

Summary: Anya could really use a friend. But her new BFF isn't kidding about the "Forever" part.
Of all the things Anya expected to find at the bottom of an old well, a new friend was not one of them. Especially not a new friend who’s been dead for a century.
Falling down a well is bad enough, but Anya's normal life might actually be worse. She's embarrassed by her family, self-conscious about her body, and she's pretty much given up on fitting in at school. A new friend—even a ghost—is just what she needs.
Or so she thinks. Spooky, sardonic, and secretly sincere, Anya's Ghost is a wonderfully entertaining debut from author/artist Vera Brosgol.

Verse:

The Realm of Possibility by David Levithan

Summary: One school. Twenty voices.

Endless possibilities.

There's the girl who is in love with Holden Caulfield. The boy who wants to be strong who falls for the girl who's convinced she needs to be weak. The girl who writes love songs for a girl she can't have. The two boys teetering on the brink of their first anniversary. And everyone in between.

As he did in the highly acclaimed Boy Meets Boy, David Levithan gives us a world of unforgettable voices that readers will want to visit again and again. It's the realm of possibility open to us all - where love, joy, and the stories we tell will linger

Novella:

The Selection Stories: The Prince & The Guard by Kiera Cass

Summary: Two novellas set in the world of Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series are now available in print for the first time. The Prince and The Guard both offer captivating views into the hearts and minds of the two men fighting to win America Singer's love. This collection also features exclusive bonus content, including a sneak peek at The One, the eagerly anticipated third novel in the Selection series.

Before America arrived at the palace to compete in the Selection, there was another girl in Prince Maxon's life. The Prince opens the week before the Selection begins and follows Maxon through the first day of the competition.

Raised as a Six, Aspen Leger never dreamed that he would find himself living in the palace as a member of the royal guard. In The Guard, readers get an inside look at Aspen's life within the palace walls—and the truth about a guard's world that America will never know.

June TBR

Happy June!

I know it's been quite sometime since I have posted on here, and it's because I got really busy with school. In a few short weeks (three) my days as a high schooler will end and then it will be off to the real world (into college/university) for me.

As it is the first day of June, I decided it would be fun to do a June TBR. This month I'm going to try to get into the habit of reading more often, as when I wasn't posting on here, I wasn't actually reading a whole lot as again school prevented me from doing so.

 

June TBR

 

 



ttyl

 



 

Since You've Been Gone

 

 

The Heir

 

 

Rebel Belle

 

 

The Probability of Miracles

 

 

 

 

 

So a total of five books over the course of the next month. This is definitely possible, heck, I've read close to twenty books in a month before. But with exams drawing near I hope I hit my reading goal.

 

 

 

 

 

Updates

Just a little update for all of you who read my blog.

Thank you for being patient. In my last blog post I explained that I have been really busy, and sadly, that's still the case. I haven't finished a book since October (The Maze Runner), and am half way through The Blood of Olympus  and part way through The Scorch Trials. I've had so many tests lately, and I work too, that I have no time to read. And let's be honest, in my spare time, I would much rather be sleeping.

I'm still going to try my best with posting, but it probably won't be frequent until I get a break from school (so the Christmas holidays).

Thanks for sticking around,

Booking an Escape

Long Time No...Blog.

I have to apologize for my absence lately.

I try to post as often as possible, but I have been extremely busy with school. Please take into consideration that I am in my senior year of high school and my grades are my top priority, which sadly, pushes reading, and blogging, to the back burner.

I haven't gotten very much time to read lately. It's a shame, since I bought Blood of Olympus the day it came out, and still  only half way through it.

I promise I will try to blog at least once a week.

Thanks for being patient,

Booking an Escape.

Weekly Reading Plans: October 6th-12th

This week I have a lot on my plate. Along with some assignments and tests, I plan on finishing AT LEAST two books.

I'm currently reading The Scorch Trials by James Dashner. But as most of you know (OR SHOULD KNOW) The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan, the last book in the Heroes of Olympus series, comes out tomorrow. AND I WILL FINISH IT BEFORE SUNDAY NIGHT.

I'm torn between my feelings right now. I'm so excited for BoO, but at the same time, I'm sad because it is the last Percy Jackson book. Tomorrow will be a sad and happy day for many fans, please respect that and do NOT post SPOILERS until AT LEAST 1 month (NOVEMBER 9) of the book. It ruins it for everyone and it's not nice. So please, be respectful.

So that's all I plan on reading this week. I'll talk to you Wednesday!

xo,

Booking an Escape

Friday Reads & Posting Update: October 3rd

It's three minutes until midnight, and I have to go to work for 7 in the morning, but I decided to put up a post first. So why not a Friday reads post?

I'm currently reading The Scorch Trials (which I haven't gotten any further in since Thursday, which I am only on page 44, yes, I only read 5 pages on Thursday and have not had time to read it since September 17th because of school).

That's basically all I am reading, although I do want to start on at least one of the many other books I have on my giant TBR list.

Sorry for such a short post! I will post again hopefully on Monday because I think I am going to do a what I plan on reading through the week (like a Friday reads but on Monday) along with weekly Top 5 Wednesday's and Friday Reads posts. There will also be monthly wrap up and TBR  posts as well, along with the random book review blog posts too. Well thanks a lot! Have a good weekend!

xo,

Booking an Escape.

Top 5 Wednesday: Terrible Covers

I decided I am going to start doing T5W on my blog. This weeks topic is Top 5 Terrible covers. And oh boy, do I have a ton of most hated covers.

5. Across the Universe covers (the new ones):

4. The original covers to the Uglies series:

3. The bind up of the first two books in the Pretty Little Liars series:

2. The City of Bones cover...sorry, but I hate this cover:

1. Last, but not least, the cover I hate the most is the... Obsidian cover (the Lux series covers):

So that was it for this weeks Top 5 Wednesday! What are your most hated/terrible covers?

September Wrap Up and October TBR

My, oh, my. I've haven't blogged in quite some time, and I apologize for that! Today I present my September Wrap up and October TBR!

September wasn't the biggest reading month for me. I only actually finished one "real" book, and a few manga. Other then that, I was preoccupied with school, work and sleeping.

The books/manga I read during September include:

1. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
2. Dramacon by Svetlana Chmakova
3. Nightschool: The Weirn Books Vol. 1 by Svetlana Chmakova
4. Nightschool: The Weirn Books Vol. 2 by Svetlana Chmakova
5. Nightschool: The Weirn Books Vol. 3 by Svetlana Chmakova
6. Nighschool: The Weirn Books Vol. 4 by Svetlana Chmakova

Books I did not finish:

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Library Wars by Kiiro Yumi

Now, onto my October TBR. It's  quite ambitious, I want to read 8 books and all, but I will definitely read at least 3 of them from this list (*cough* BLOOD OF OLYMPUS *cough*).

Bout of Books 11.0

Hey there! Long time no post, I know!

I apologize for being away for so long! I've been quite busy (and a bit lazy). But today I am here to update you on my participation for Bout of Books 11.0 (click this to learn more). That's right! I'm participating!

This readathon is going on from Monday August 18th - Sunday August 24th! It seems like a ton of fun, so I wanted to try my first ever readathon! I'm stoked!

My goal is to read at least 5 books during this readathon, which include:

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
Matched by Allie Condie
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Starters by Lissa Price

Good luck to everyone who is participating! I hope we all have a great week of reading!

Book Review: "The Great Gatsby"

The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
London: Penguin, 2006
184pp, $10.99
0-14102-343-0

There are many books that capture the attention of many readers, but why do they do that? In The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald uses Psychoanalytical Criticism, the prominent technique of imagery and the overall design of the book to capture his reader's attention. Although many authors try to do this, Fitzgerald may not have been successful when he first started off, but now: "Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, typically sells 500,000 copies [of The Great Gatsby] each year..." (Bosman "Judging ‘Gatsby’ by Its Cover(s)").

F. Scott Fitzgerald used his own personal experiences show through when he was writing this novel. As I wrote in an assignment we had earlier this year: "Nick Carraway, the narrator of the story, has been seen to be a representation of Fitzgerald. Nick represents the views of Fitzgerald as he is a lot like him; Nick is like Fitzgerald in the means that he is not a very wealthy man hanging around with the quite wealthy. Nick also made a grand move, as did Fitzgerald, from Minnesota to New York (West Egg). They were also both in the war, although Fitzgerald was never deployed because the war ended." You can see a lot of these character traits have been given to Nick by Fitzgerald by his own personal experiences. This has the largest effect on those who research the author before they read their work. This gives the reader a sense into the life of Fitzgerald (and obviously Nick). Fitzgerald's use of Psychoanalytical Criticism gives to the sense of reality in the novel, ultimately boosting the reader experience. 

In addition to Psychoanalytical Criticism Fitzgerald also used the prominent technique of vivid imagery to his advantage in capturing the reader's attention. Fitzgerald was able to describe things clearly and precisely allowing the reader to understand what the text was talking about. The use of imagery captivated me, and allowed me to picture what was happening in the story. This can be clearly seen when Nick goes to visit Tom and Daisy at their house:

 "Their house was even more elaborate than I expected, a cheerful red and white Georgian Colonial mansion overlooking the bay. The lawn started at the beach and ran toward the front door for a quarter of a mile, jumping over sun-dials and brick walks and burning gardens—finally when it reached the house drifting up the side in bright vines as though from the momentum of its run. The front was broken by a line of French windows, glowing now with reflected gold, and wide open to the warm windy afternoon, and Tom Buchanan in riding clothes was standing with his legs apart on the front porch." (Fitzgerald, 9)

  This allowed Fitzgerald to set the scene; and it also allowed me to feel like I knew what it was like to be their with Nick. The use of imagery captured my attention and made me feel like I was in the story too.

Finally, the overall design of the book is something that captures many peoples attentions. When talking about the overall design of the book we are not only talking about the cover, but what impression was the book designer trying to create? I bought a copy published by Penguin (this can be seen in the upper left hand corner of the screen). I automatically fell in love and wanted to read the book. The cover is gorgeous! I really enjoy the font used, I think it looks very elegant and sophisticated. I also enjoy the woman, I think it's supposed to be a representation of Daisy, she looks like someone out of the 1920s, and even if you have no idea what the novel is about (I like to go into novels knowing nothing) you can get the feeling that it is set in the 20s. There are other covers though, such as the one by Scribner, has the picture of the woman's face looking over the city. I believe this is supposed to be the billboard of the eyes of Doctor T J. Eckleburg overlooking the valley of ashes. I think that both cover designers were looking to enhance, or bring out, some major themes in the book. The Penguin cover emphasizing the sophistication and dreaminess of the 1920s, while the Scribner cover brought forward a major symbol in the novel itself. Both covers are equally gorgeous and captivating. Although we are told at a young age not to judge a book by it's cover, this can be an exception as both covers captivates their audience and gives people the motivation to read the novel.

Overall, Fitzgerald was able to captivate our attention through a series of simple things, whether it be his Psychoanalytic Criticism through the narrator Nick, his use of vivid imagery throughout the entire story or the cover design to bring people in. The Great Gatsby is one of the most captivating and best novels I have ever read. I give it 5/5 stars.

Facing Reality in "The Great Gatsby"

Write a special journal entry devoted to a theme you can see developing in the novel. You do not need to be finished reading the novel to begin assessing themes. Identify key quotes and events that you believe contribute to the development of your chosen theme...Remember that these are merely titles that point to a theme; you will need to describe the novel's development of that theme to determine what it is truly trying to say about it.

Throughout The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby himself, has trouble facing reality. He does not often tells stories of his past, but when he considers working with Nick to win back the girl of his dreams, he feels obliged to tell him some of his life story: "'Well, I’m going to tell you something about my life,’ he interrupted. ‘I don’t want you to get a  wrong idea of me from all these stories you hear.’" (Fitzgerald, 65). He tells Nick of how he is the son of wealthy people in the Middle West who are all dead now, educated at Oxford, came into money when his family died, how he traveled, and joined the military. 

One could tell Nick was a bit off with Gatsby's story as he stated: 

"He looked at me sideways - and I knew why Jordan Baker had believed he was lying. He hurried phrased 'educated at Oxford, or swallowed it, or choked on it, as it had bothered him before. And with this doubt, his whole statement fell to pieces, and I wondered if there wasn't something a little sinister about him, after all." (Fitzgerald, 65)

As his story is unstable, and flawed. Making others believe that he is not telling the truth. Ultimately not facing reality as by lying about his past.

You can also see the theme of Gatsby's inability to face reality when Nick tells him to not: " '... ask to much of her'" and that he " ...'can't repeat the past.'" (Fitzgerald, 111) This is when Gatsby tells Nick at his party, that he wants Daisy to tell Tom she is leaving him, but Nick does not think this is a good idea, because before Gatsby came back Tom and Daisy were happily married (aside from Tom's affair).

The theme is also present when Gatsby is being interrogated by Tom in the hotel room in chapter 8. Gatsby is telling Tom that Daisy never loved him, when Daisy objects, because that is a lie, she did love Tom at one point. Gatsby seems not to grasp the reality that Daisy has the ability to love other people, while he only mourns over her love.

In the end, this theme strongly progressed over the entire novel, and seemed to end when Gatsby died, because none of the other character's seemed to have the challenge of facing the reality of the subject.

I believe that what the novel is truly saying is that if you want to get the things you want in life you have to face reality and go get them. You can't let the little things hold you back. This is present when Gatsby tries to get Daisy to love him again, but because he isn't facing the reality of "what happens in the past, stays in the past" he does not fully gain her love or her heart; she end's up staying with Tom, and probably would have stayed with Tom even if Gatsby had not of died.

Active Reading Journal: "The Great Gatsby" Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Summary

In the final chapter of The Great Gatsby, Nick tries to get a hold of Daisy to tell her the tragic news, but he learns that she and Tom have left town with no way to contact them. Nick tries to hold a large funeral for Gatsby, but many refuse to/don't come. Nick meets Gatsby's dad, Henry Gatz at the funeral (one of the few who came), who tells Nick that he admired his son and was very proud of him. Nick moves back to Minnesota. But before he leaves, he ends his relationship with Jordan, and encounters Tom on a street corner, he reluctantly tells Nick that it was he who told Mr.Wilson that Gatsby killed Myrtle. Nick realizes how much better Minnesota is than New York and seems happy to leave. The last day Nick is in West Egg he goes to Gatsby's house and lays out on the beach and imagines about the American Dream.

Active Reading Journal: "The Great Gatsby" Chapters 7&8

Chapter 7 Summary

In chapter 7 Nick goes to Tom and Daisy's house, where he is also greeted with the surprise of Jordan and Gatsby's accompany as well. During tea it becomes obvious that Gatsby and Daisy love each other, and Daisy suggests going out into town because she is bored. Two cars are taken: Gatsby and Daisy in Tom's car, and Tom, Nick and Jordan in Gatsby's car. Tom, Nick and Jordan stop at the Wilson's garage to get gas where they learn that Mr. Wilson has figured out the Mrs. Wilson does not love him anymore and that he plans to move away. All five of them end up at a hotel where they were supposed to have drinks but it ends in Tom trying to interrogate Gatsby and ends up sending Daisy and Gatsby back to the island. On Tom, Jordan and Nick's way home they see that someone (Mrs. Wilson) has been hit and killed by a car. Tom assumes it was Gatsby and Daisy with Gatsby driving. Back on the island, Nick finds Gatsby in the bushes and he tells him what happened. Nick leaves, but Gatsby stays behind making sure that Daisy goes to bed.

Chapter 8 Summary

In chapter 8 Nick goes over to Gatsby's mansion and suggest that Gatsby leave the island, and forget about Daisy. Gatsby then, again, refuses to. His gardener then tells him that he would like to drain the pool and Gatsby asks for him to do it another time as he would like to go for a swim and asks if Nick would like to join him. Nick declines and Gatsby goes for a swim and Nick goes home. While at home Nick cannot focus as all he can think about is the night before. In another scene Nick is their while someone is comforting Mr. Wilson and Mr. Wilson starts to put the pieces of the puzzle together, and Tom comes out by ultimately telling him that it was Gatsby who killed his wife. Mr. Wilson goes to Gatsby's house and shoots him in the pool and then kills himself. At the end of the chapter Nick finds Gatsby's dead body floating in the pool.

Active Reading Journal: "The Great Gatsby" Chapters 5&6

1. In your active reading journal, list the things you’ve learned about Nick Carraway in the first two chapters of the novel. How might his background colour the way he tells this story? How trustworthy is Nick? How might the perspective of Chapter 1 change if F. Scott Fitzgerald had chosen to narrate the story in the first person from Daisy’s “sophisticated” point of view?

2. Read Chapters 5 and 6. At the end of Chapter 5, Nick says, “It was the hour of a profound human change, and excitement was generating on the air” (p. 95). What happens in Chapter 6 to fulfill Nick’s prediction?  Add your response to your journal.

In the first two chapters of the novel we learn that Nick is a lot like the author (Fitzgerald). Nick represents the views of Fitzgerald as he is a lot like him; Nick is like Fitzgerald in the means that he is not a very wealthy man hanging around with the quite wealty. Nick also made a grand move, as did Fitzgerald, from Chicago to New York (West Egg). They were also both in the war, although Fitzgerald was never deployed because the war ended. (This is taken from my discussion post on "Applying Critical Theory to Nick and his Perspective").

Nick's background might colour the way he tells the story, because when he was younger his father asked him to not to be judge-mental, but Nick is anyway. You can tell this because it is obvious that Nick disapproves on Tom's affair with Mrs. Wilson. So this may colour the way he tells the story because he is not completely unbiased in his opinions.

I think that if F. Scott Fitzgerald had chosen to narrate the story from Daisy's "sophisticated" point of view that we would not get as much detail as we do with Nick narrating the story. Daisy seems oblivious to the fact that her husband is having an affair, and doesn't have the same connections that Nick seems to have. I think that a more "sophisticated" point of view would lead to a boring and uninteresting story.

Chapter 5: Summary

In chapter 5 it begins with Nick coming home from tea with Jordan. He notices Gatsby's mansion, which is brightly lit. Gatsby approaches Nick offering him to do things with him, and so forth, so that Nick will agree with his plan. Nick agrees, and calls Daisy up asking her to come over for tea. When it is the day for Daisy to come to tea, it rains a lot, Gatsby arrives at Nick's house in doubt that she will arrive. Just before Gatsby is about to leave Daisy arrives, and Gatsby hides outside. A few moments (minutes?) later Gatsby is at the door and Nick invites him in. Daisy and Gatsby reunite and it seems quite awkward for a while before Nick excuses himself. Nick goes outside to provide Daisy and Gatsby with some privacy. When Nick returns both Daisy and Gatsby are very happy, and Gatsby invites them both over to his mansion. Much goes on, and tears are shed (Daisy is overwhelmed by the brilliant and luxurious lifestyle Gatsby lives). Gatsby mentions the green light across the the water, and how he dreams about her. Later Nick realizes that Daisy and Gatsby don't really recognize his presence so he leaves.

At the end of this chapter Nick says: "“It was the hour of a profound human change, and excitement was generating on the air” (Fitzgerald, 95) To fulfill this prediction in the next chapter Tom and Daisy attend one of Gatsby's lavish parties.

Chapter 6: Summary

In chapter 6 we learn a lot about Gatsby's life, such as he was born as Jay Gatz, did a lot of fishing and digging for clams, was invited to be a personal assistant of Dan Cody (who is dead now) who had a serious alcohol problem and this is why Gatsby watches what he drinks.  Gatsby made his life goal to become successful and wealthy. Then Nick doesn't hear anything from Daisy or Gatsby for weeks, and then sees Tom at Gatsby's house. Tom is dining with some other people and Gatsby invites them to stay for dinner but they decline his offer. Daisy and Tom come to Gatsby's next party, and Tom has an unpleasant time. Gatsby thinks that Daisy also had an unpleasant time and is upset by this. Gatsby reveals that he would like Daisy to tell Tom that she is leaving him. And Nick tries to bring him back to the future by saying: " 'I wouldn't ask to much of her' ... "You can't repeat the past.'" (Fitzgerald, 111) But Gatsby refuses to believe this.