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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I was surprised at how much I loved this collection of short stories, but I almost prefer it to his novels. FSF’s trademark cynicism doesn’t hit you quite as hard, and while the narratives are still about disillusionment and people being fake and meeting tragic ends, it’s far less depressing than even The Great Gatsby can be. If you like the time period, this is a great place to go for some colourful and amusing stories.
A great collection of short stories from the great writer. Some of them are greater than the others, but it's a wonderful picture of the world from Fitzgerald's POV.
I really liked this collection of short stories! It was an easy book to pick up and put down at my leisure. It's striking how enthralling these stories still are, almost 100 years after publication.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I definitely needed to take time during a non-busy period to read this, but otherwise I still enjoyed this collection and was reminded of why I love F. Scott Fitzgerald's writing so much.
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I heard about his name mentioned briefly when I was in high school learning American Literature. Later, I encountered selections of his short stories in a test prep class that I was teaching. Now that I have read a few of his short stories, I would label it as the male version of Jane Austen. His stories are romantic, but they are paced just right for male readers. With the movie version of "The Great Gatsby" going to be out soon, I hope teens will discover his writings.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
An amusing short story collection that reflects the views and tendencies of the time. As with almost all short story collections, some were better than others. My favorites were "The Offshore Pirate", "Bernice Bobs her Hair", "Four Fists", and "Head and Shoulders" - some more with more amusing tendencies, others more serious and reflective. I enjoy Fitzgerald´s writing style generally and next to "Tender is the night", this is one of my favorite works of his.
I think I want to be every woman in this book; or maybe I already am. This was the perfect book to take along to the bar or to a café, and I was constantly finding inspiration within its pages. I can't wait to read more from Fitzgerald.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Many of the stories in this collection have a surprisingly modern feel, like "Bernice Bobs Her Hair." However, some stories are clearly products of their time. There’s also a lack of diversity, with most protagonists fitting into a Fitzgeraldian archetype: grey-eyed, blonde, and around 19 years old. Overall, a great read that showcases Fitzgeralds range as an author.
Rating: 4.25
While not the most substantial in terms of content, it's a fun read with a romantic relationship that brims with chemistry. The twist at the end is particularly amusing.
Rating: 5/5
A beautifully told story, this historical piece effectively illustrates the stark contrast between the North and the South.
Rating: 3/5
Though cute and clever, this love story is the weakest in the collection and my least favorite. It struggles to stand on its own.
Rating: 4.5
A somber yet beautifully written piece centered around a cursed cut-glass bowl. The depiction of an aging woman past her prime is haunting, especially in the final page:
"Over the way, lights went on; far down the block, the crash was heard, and pedestrians rushed over wonderingly; upstairs, a tired man awoke from the edge of sleep, and a little girl whimpered in a haunted doze. And all over the moonlit sidewalk around the still, black form, hundreds of prisms and cubes and splinters of glass reflected the light in little gleams of blue, and black edged with yellow, and yellow, and crimson edged with black."*
Rating: 5/5
A humorous depiction of womanhood and adolescence, highlighting the differences between the contemporary and previous generations.
Benediction
Rating: 4/5
A slower-paced story that explores a woman’s internal conflict between religion, morality, and her desires.
Rating: 8/10
A sardonic and satirical piece. Though not the most sophisticated of Fitzgerald's stories, it remains an entertaining read.
Rating: 9/10
An intriguing concept where a man recalls the four times he was punched in the face and how each incident set him on the path to success and happiness. A clever and engaging story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Xenophobia, Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic
Thoroughly delightful collection of eight short stories by the Jazz Age master written when he was still in his early 20s and newly married to Zelda. I really didn’t expect to like these as much as I did. Short stories are hard enough for me to enjoy, but these were just right with engaging character sketches, insightful portrayals of human behavior and nice little twists at the end to bring a solid sense of closure to each. It also didn’t hurt that I’ve just finished watching all of the Downton Abbery seasons and movie...so my senses are firmly grounded in this time period, even if these are set in America. A good, quick way to click off a few more hours stuck at home during the “quarantine.”