Got burned on a classic book pick and it totally flipped my view

My book club chose 'The Great Gatsby' last month and I was dreading it. Thought it was just overhyped high school stuff, you know? But after our debate last Tuesday, someone pointed out how every party scene hides a different character's lie. I actually went back and reread chapters 3 through 5. Has another classic ever surprised you like that after you already had a strong opinion on it?

3 comments

3 Comments

spencer_park261mo ago

Wait, did you say the book club noticed every party scene hides a different character's lie? That's a really cool take, but I gotta be honest, that's not quite what happens in the book. Gatsby's parties are more about hiding his own personal story and his obsession with Daisy, not really a different lie for each chapter. Still, I love when a classic like that surprises you on a reread. For me it was "To Kill a Mockingbird" - I hated it in school but then caught all the Scout perspective stuff as an adult and totally changed my mind.

sage_green1mo ago

Oh man, that thing about hating a book in school then loving it later happened to me with Jane Eyre. Could not stand it at 15. Reread it last year and basically sobbed through the whole thing. Funny how timing changes everything.

tessa_murray1mo ago

Did you find yourself hating Mr. Rochester less the second time, or did that part of the story still bug you? Kinda curious if the age gap thing hit different.