Review: The Great Gatsby, the Graphic Novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald & K Woodman-Maynard

K Woodman-Maynard takes F. Scott Fitzgerald's beloved tale of careless people and shattered dreams, and gives it a rich and decadent retelling as a graphic novel. The story is basically the same. Nick Carraway lives in a peaceful community just outside of New York. Keenly observant, Nick becomes interested in the goings on of his neighbour, Gatsby, who hosts all kinds of lavish parties. Over one summer the lives of Nick and Gatsby become intertwined, along with those of Nick's second cousin Daisy and her brutal husband Tom and a few others who seem to only be there to either show how selfish the whole lot of them are, or to become hurt along the way. Anyway, an affair between Gatsby and Daisy (with whom he'd had a fling in his younger years,) causes all kinds of trouble and reveals all kinds of things about the characters that they had tried to keep hidden in order to keep a perfect front for the others. Things all come to a head after a tragic event that has grave consequences for some, and little implication for others. The novel offers a genuine insight into human nature, selfishness and self delusion and is often taught in schools for those very reasons.

This adaption takes some of the most lavish parts of the novel and contrasts them perfectly against the
harsh realities that Nick will have to face before the summer is out. Set in beautiful monotones that fit the mood of each scene (some pages are blue, some are pink, etc,) many of the illustrations have a dreamlike quality to them that works perfectly within the framework of the story. This truly is a perfect adaption of a classic. The story remains the same, but the illustrations bring each character, metaphor and plot twist to life. 

This adaption would be absolutely perfect for students who are studying the novel to help them gain additional insight. It's also a perfect piece as a coffee table book, or a great gift for anyone who loved the original.

Highly recommended.

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