A hundred years after its original publication, places across the Twin Cities are celebrating “The Great Gatsby” and its St. Paul-born author F. Scott Fitzgerald.
In honor of its centennial anniversary, the Minnesota Historical Society partnered with the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library to host a live reading of the original manuscript alongside their display dedicated to its influential author.
On Thursday, visitors can attend an anniversary reading of “The Great Gatsby” from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. for free. Unlike other reading events, this will be a live reading of the novel in its entirety.
“‘The Great Gatsby’ continues to capture the consciousness of audiences today, even 100 years after publication,” senior director of programs and services for The Friends, Alayne Hopkins said in a press release. “We look forward to meeting Gatsby fans and people brand new to this work to explore what the book’s and its popularity can tell us about our society and culture.”
Katie Hujda, the curator of manuscripts at the Minnesota Historical Society, worked in the collections acquisition and obtained the archival pieces featured.
“I think a lot of people are familiar with ‘The Great Gatsby.’ There’s a common understanding there,” Hujda said. “It has themes that resonate with a lot of people, and I think it’s taken on a life of its own since it was published.”
The book was not originally popular at its publication, with 1925 critics responding with mixed reviews. Hujda attributed its growth in popularity to the 1940s when it was translated into Armed Services editions, copies of books small enough to fit into a soldier’s pocket.
Down the hall from the reading is the display “That’s My Middle West: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s St. Paul,” a curated collection of Fitzgerald’s early life in the Twin Cities, including photographs, letters and newspapers. It also includes an array of editions of “The Great Gatsby.”
“I acquire materials for the museum and library, so they can be used,” Hujda said. “It’s really fun to acquire new and interesting things, but it’s even more fun to make them available to the public so that anybody can come here and access these rare and beautiful things.”
Local bookstore Magers & Quinn is hosting a “100th Birthday Bash” for the novel at Brother Justus Whiskey Company. The 21+ event will feature themed drinks, activities and copies of The Great Gatsby, with costumes encouraged for visitors.
The event is a departure from the store’s traditional author reading and signing.
“I’m looking forward to having an event that is more about just hanging out and mingling,” said Annie Metcalf, the store’s Marketing and Events Manager. “We just wanted to celebrate this book that has a local connection.”
