The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The novel draws inspiration from Fitzgerald’s own youthful love affair with socialite Ginevra King and the lavish parties he attended on Long Island’s North Shore in 1922. After moving to the French Riviera, Fitzgerald completed an initial draft of the novel in 1924, which was submitted to his editor, Maxwell Perkins. Under Perkins’ guidance, Fitzgerald revised the manuscript over the winter. Though Fitzgerald was ultimately satisfied with the final version, he was uncertain about the book’s title and considered several alternatives. The striking cover art by painter Francis Cugat had a lasting impact on Fitzgerald, influencing key elements of the novel.

Upon its release by Scribner’s in April 1925, The Great Gatsby received generally positive reviews, though some critics felt it did not match the brilliance of Fitzgerald’s earlier works. Commercially, the book was a disappointment, selling fewer than 20,000 copies by October, and Fitzgerald’s hopes for financial success were unfulfilled. When he passed away in 1940, Fitzgerald believed his work was largely forgotten and considered himself a failure. Over time, however, The Great Gatsby has become regarded as one of the defining works of American literature.