Gatsby, chapter by chapter

All nine chapters. What happens, in a line. Then each one in five words.

Nick rents a house in West Egg. He goes to dinner in East Egg. He sees Gatsby on the lawn, reaching for a light.

Nick meets Daisy and Tom

Tom takes Nick through the valley of ashes to meet Myrtle. They throw a party in the city. Tom hits her.

Nick meets Myrtle in ashes

Gatsby throws a party. Nick is invited. He meets Gatsby and cannot quite believe he is real.

Nick goes to Gatsby's party

Gatsby drives Nick into the city. He tells a life story that does not sit still. He asks Nick to arrange tea with Daisy.

Gatsby tells Nick a story

Daisy comes to Nick's house. Gatsby is terrified. Then they go to his house and he shows her everything he bought.

Gatsby sees Daisy again

We get James Gatz. Tom comes to a party. Gatsby says you can repeat the past.

Gatsby wants the past back

A hot day in the city. Daisy cannot say she never loved Tom. On the drive home Myrtle is killed. Daisy was driving.

Daisy hits Myrtle and runs

Gatsby waits for Daisy's call. It does not come. Wilson finds him in the pool.

Wilson kills Gatsby in pool

Nick tries to find mourners. Wolfsheim will not come. Gatsby's father does. Tom and Daisy have left town.

Almost no one at funeral