Nick is a 2021 American novel written by Michael Farris Smith. As its cover and title suggest, it serves as a Fan Prequel to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s most famous work The Great Gatsby.
The novel covers Nick Carroway’s military service during WWI, along with post-war events. Also featured is a brief romance in Paris, one doomed from the very start.
Nick contains examples of:
- Body Horror: Nick eventually realizes that one of the Germans in No Man’s Land is missing part of his skull.
- Flashback: Several occur throughout the book. Some feature brief glimpses to the present, while others take up a whole chapter.
- Foregone Conclusion: Since Nick goes on to serve as The Great Gatsby’s narrator, it is safe to say he survives this book.
- Mood Whiplash: Two dazed German soldiers start dancing in No Man’s Land, to the delight of Nick’s battalion. Eventually, however, one of them dies from his injuries and the Americans shoot the other one.
- War Is Hell: Nick’s service during WWI is not portrayed pleasantly. At any moment, someone could be shelled, bayoneted, or shot. Even the moments where Nick’s battalion isn’t fighting seem more somber and tense than happy.
