He specifically finds the books extraordinary because they are all uncut. This means that the pages are still attached, not having been cut open and read. This detail speaks to Gatsby's superficiality and his desire to appear wealthy and cultured without actually engaging with the content of the books.
Here's a breakdown of why this is significant:
* Uncut pages: This implies that Gatsby bought these books for show, as a way to impress guests with his supposed intellectualism and wealth. He never intended to actually read them.
* Symbol of Gatsby's facade: This detail underscores Gatsby's entire persona, built on a foundation of acquired possessions and appearances, rather than genuine substance.
So, while the owl-eyed man may not be impressed by the library itself, he is struck by the irony of Gatsby's collection of uncut books, highlighting the shallowness of Gatsby's aspirations.