Wednesday, July 29, 2009

the Great Nancby



Well I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself. I finally got my butt back to the gym and did the whole circuit of weight machines and the accursed rowing machine. Then on the way home I stopped by the Goodwill on 88th & 2nd because I did not want to buy a hardcover copy of The Great Gatsby for $25 at Barnes & Noble and I had a hunch that I might find Gatsby at Goodwill. And sure enough, as soon as I hit the book shelves, voila! there he was for a very reasonable $1.08!

Plus - bonus - this copy was once owned by a student who added enlightening commentary to the text:
She dressed in white and had a little white roadster
white = pure & class marker


*Doctor. T. J. Eckleburg. The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleberg are blue and gigantic
Dr. Eckleberg looks out over valley of ashes (God symbol)


There was Gatsby, looking a little, not much younger - with a cricket bat in his hand
proves Gatsby's story!


Quite the bargain for a buck and eight bits. Of course, I could read The Great Gatsby for free online... but the subway doesn't have Internet access.

I sure do love the quotation on the title page of the book:
Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her; If you can bounce high, bounce for her too, Till she cry "Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover, I must have you!"

THOMAS PARKE D’INVILLIERS