For lovers of The Great Gatsby comes an ambitious imagining of one of literatures’ most elusive narrators. Michael Farris Smith finally gives readers a| chance to unlock the true identity of Nick Carraway and understand how he came to be but an outsider in F Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic tale. From the trenches of WW1, right up to Nick’s arrival in West Egg, Smith takes us on an emotional journey defined by trauma, heartbreak, love and loss that will eventually leave us with that damaged narrator who until now, has only ever existed in the background.

While the writing is vivid, the book, rather unfortunately held none of Gatsby’s glamour or allure. Covering off themes of war, mental illness and childhood neglect, there are a number of sections that are difficult to get through. Perhaps there is a reason Fitzgerald left Nick in the dark?