The Great Gatsby

Having a brother who has studied this in IB I was curious to find out what on earth he was talking about when him and my mother would discuss something about a green light representing hope. I did however watch the movie before reading the book (3 times at the movie theater, you could say I enjoyed it). I thoroughly enjoyed the movie (not only because of Leonardo DiCaprio, who is my favorite actor) but I found that throughout the whole movie I was captivated and extremely impressed. Since loving the movie so much I felt that I needed to read the book, which I thought must be something special if my brother had to study it so in depth. And I was right, it really was something special and I felt that it was one of those books that everyone needs to read at least once in their lifetime. F.Scott Fitzgerald portrays the theme of the decline of the American dream during the 1920's. On the surface it may seem that The Great Gatsby is a story of love between Gatsby and Daisy, but Fitzgerald focuses on the 1920's as an era of decayed social and moral values and greed. The desire for money and pleasure that surpassed more noble goals ultimately resulted in the corruption of the American Dream. 

Unlike some of the other books that I had read previous to this year, I have found that by reading the classics my general knowledge of, well, people have increased. You gain an understanding of the world by reading these books which cannot be learnt else where. I feel like I've begun to understand not only other people but myself more by exposing myself to these books. I would highly recommenced this book, and to be honest any other classics as it will open up a whole new world to you. 

Breakfast at Tiffany's

I was suggested to read this book by one of my close friends as I had been off school for a few weeks already and was beginning to grow bored. I was instantly captivated by this book. I appreciate the theme of stability vs freedom that is displayed through the narrator and Holly- while the narrator is happy to have his first home, Holly is consumed by the idea that she constantly must escape from places and people. These two characters being put together show that they each have something to learn from each other.

I would carry around this book with me everywhere and I remember waiting for my mum after a blood test in a cafe huddled in a corner so entrenched in this book that I didn't even notice my mum arrive and sit down next to me with her coffee. I think I was so captivated by this book because I see similarities between myself and Holly- I tend to not like to get overly attached to anything, to save myself any future disappointment if anything goes wrong and I would think of myself to be quite and independent person much like Holly.

I decided to read the book before watching the movie and was very happy with my decision to do so. I found that even before seeing any parts of the movie, just from reading Breakfast at Tiffany's I was able to envisage almost exactly how the book was portrayed in the movie

Over all I would easily say that Breakfast at Tiffany''s is one of my favorite books and I would highly recommend it to anyone.