Renamed Classics: What Your Favorite Books Were Almost Called

'Gold-Hatted Gatsby' And What Your Other Favorite Books Were Almost Called

A book title is a story's thesis statement. If it's boring or off-putting, readers will turn their attention elsewhere. If it's evocative or captivating, a title can mask the quality of a mediocre book. So we have to wonder: If these classic books had less illustrious titles, would they have gained such a faithful readership?

Probably. Still, checking out other names considered by James Joyce and Jane Austen is good for a laugh. Here are some renamed titles from "mental_floss: The Book" [HarperCollins, $17.99]

"The Great Gatsby"

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