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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
A collection of interesting short stories.
I'm not generally a fan of short stories except within the context of a long running series.
Some of the stories were entertaining, and the title story, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, was certainly high in this list. However, there were some I didn't quite get the point of at all.
I'm not generally a fan of short stories except within the context of a long running series.
Some of the stories were entertaining, and the title story, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, was certainly high in this list. However, there were some I didn't quite get the point of at all.
This collection is broken into three sections: My Last Flappers, Fantasies, and Unclassified Masterpieces. Fitzgerald introduces each story with a synopsis in the table of contents, providing valuable insight into his thoughts and motivations as a writer.
The Jelly-Bean- 3.5 stars
Written in conjuction with Zelda, this is the story of Jim Powells mediocre life and the woman who changes it. I didn't understand the Jelly-Bean nickname, perhaps it was a southern euphemism at the time?
The Camel's Back- 2 stars
Utterly ridiculous
May Day- 3 stars
There's a lot going on in this one, almost too much for its length. The ending is also rather depressing.
Porcelain and Pink- 1 star
What did I even just read? This is meant to be a short play, but it makes absolutely no sense. Granted, I have the flu at the time I'm reading this so maybe I just missed it but it felt pointless.
The Diamond as Big as the Ritz- 3 stars
This feels the most Fitzgerald of the entire collection, but it quickly devolves into ridiculousness
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- 4 stars
Probably the best known of this collection thanks to the movie adaptation- I found the writing to be quite good albeit the concept farfetched.
Tarquin of Cheapside- 4 stars
This was rather cerebal and I enjoyed it. Definitely worth rereading
Oh Russet Witch!- 3 stars
A look at mediocrity and unrequired longing
The Lees of Happiness- 4 stars
This is the standout of the collection, so much emotion is packed into the tragedies in the lives of the characters
Mr. Icky- 2.5 stars
Another attempt at a one act play, making it all the more clear plays were not Fitzgerald's forte
Jemina, the Mountain Girl- 3 stars
Taking place in rural Kentucky, this has a Romeo and Juliet quality
The Jelly-Bean- 3.5 stars
Written in conjuction with Zelda, this is the story of Jim Powells mediocre life and the woman who changes it. I didn't understand the Jelly-Bean nickname, perhaps it was a southern euphemism at the time?
The Camel's Back- 2 stars
Utterly ridiculous
May Day- 3 stars
There's a lot going on in this one, almost too much for its length. The ending is also rather depressing.
Porcelain and Pink- 1 star
What did I even just read? This is meant to be a short play, but it makes absolutely no sense. Granted, I have the flu at the time I'm reading this so maybe I just missed it but it felt pointless.
The Diamond as Big as the Ritz- 3 stars
This feels the most Fitzgerald of the entire collection, but it quickly devolves into ridiculousness
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- 4 stars
Probably the best known of this collection thanks to the movie adaptation- I found the writing to be quite good albeit the concept farfetched.
Tarquin of Cheapside- 4 stars
This was rather cerebal and I enjoyed it. Definitely worth rereading
Oh Russet Witch!- 3 stars
A look at mediocrity and unrequired longing
The Lees of Happiness- 4 stars
This is the standout of the collection, so much emotion is packed into the tragedies in the lives of the characters
Mr. Icky- 2.5 stars
Another attempt at a one act play, making it all the more clear plays were not Fitzgerald's forte
Jemina, the Mountain Girl- 3 stars
Taking place in rural Kentucky, this has a Romeo and Juliet quality
This collection has eight stories: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Head and Shoulders, The Four Fists, The Cut-Glass Bowl, May Day, O Russet Witch, Bernice Bobs Her Hair, and The Lees of Happiness. A handful are incredible: Head and Shoulders, Bernice Bobs Her Hair, and The Lees of Happiness were far and away my favourites. Benjamin Button was great, The Four Fists was fun but forgettable, and The Cut-Glass Bowl was just alright. But May Day, and O Russet Witch, while being not only the longest, were also not terribly enjoyable reads. They were lyrical and well-written, with engaging prose, but some stories were significantly more poignant than others, while Bernice Bobs Her Hair was mostly hysterical.
medium-paced
Only a few gems in here. Benjamin Button of course stands out. Not my favorite of his collected short works though.
I had seen the film before reading this book and was surprised at how short the story was. It's well written and Benjamin Button is definitely my favourite out of the stories.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Uneven, but entertaining
I'm not a huge Fitzgerald fan, but I also have not read a lot of his work. So, while these stories were a bit of fun, there was nothing of what you might consider a masterpiece in these tales. Some were better than others, but on the whole, nothing that draws you in.
I'm not a huge Fitzgerald fan, but I also have not read a lot of his work. So, while these stories were a bit of fun, there was nothing of what you might consider a masterpiece in these tales. Some were better than others, but on the whole, nothing that draws you in.
Judging from the fact that I DNF'd "This Side of Paradise" five years ago, this was the nicest surprise. Fitzgerald knows how to write the subtlest but most affecting of tragedies.