“It’s a great advantage not to drink among hard drinking people.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
BOOK TICKETS NOW via Eventbrite
On Monday 25 June we’re hosting our last ever Over-Analysers’ Book Club at Waterstones Tottenham Court Road and turning our attention to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s swinging classic.
Expect a Mint Julep-infused part-tribute, part-roast, from a line-up of comedians, academics, a zoologist and a mind-reader…
Joining compere Steve Cross are:
Lettie McKey revisits Gatsby in her 30s to compare and contrast with teenage Lettie’s reading. What unrealistic expectations did it give her or did she project onto it about how her life would be? With the benefit of life experience, how does the book hold up? Does the reality of adult life measure up in any way to this sun-kissed fantasy? Does it fuck.
Joanna Bagniewska from the Universities of Oxford and Reading: The Great Gatsby is widely considered to be a novel focused on depicting the Roaring Twenties and the American Dream. But it takes a zoologist to tell you what the book is REALLY about.
Sean Smith – “I hope she’ll be a fool — that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” The Fool is the first card of the major arcana of the Tarot — and mindreader Sean Smith will do a live Tarot reading for a Gatsby character of your choice!
Sadaf Betts from the Institute of English at the School of Advanced Study is doing a PhD on Fitzgerald. She’ll be giving us a whirlwind guide to common and uncommon questions about The Great Gatsby, and a few of the more interesting answers.
Charlotte Mykura – Gatsby revolts Charlotte in many ways. She’ll argue that the book’s only redeeming character is that ill guy who’s girlfriend got run over. He’s got spirit.
Zena Marks is a television assistant producer, scientist and journalist, struck by The Great Gatsby’s themes of cultural evolution: how vulnerable we are to peer pressure and status; how crucial it is to be an ‘independent data point’ [open-minded, like Nick] in your judgements, and how important to appreciate the value in your own experiences rather than absent-mindedly swarm with the crowd (which she’ll be demonstrating, obvs).
Doors are 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Ages 18+ only please.
Get your tickets now (£7 plus booking fee)
