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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A good Fitzgerald story seems to have you pulled into the light hearted, fuzzy, soft and adventurous lifestyle of the 1920/30s. I found that some of the stories in this compilation did exactly that, but there were some in which I thought he should have NEVER began writing. Some of my favourites in this book was Crazy Sunday (where a mans Crazy Sunday gets him plans for the next one, and so on), Head and Shoulders (mostly about a girls love life), and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (splendid tale on the reverse ageing concept). I like most of these (the first 3) because of my beginning sentence, where Fitzgerald pulls the reader into the atmosphere presented by the story. But I truly enjoyed The Curious Case of Benjamin Button because of the way it was written, and how fascinating it was. The other stories (The Four Fists and The Cut Glass bowl) were alright, but I found the latter confusing and the former a little pointless. The rest (May Day, O’Russet Witch) were the ones I HATED and absolutely loathed. There was absolutely no reason for May Day to be that long and for O Russet Witch to have that boring a persona. And so, since the first 4 stories I talked about don’t seem to make up for the last two, this book deserves a 3. More of 2.5 stars.
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the first time I've read anything by Fitzgerald. I wouldn't label myself a fan, just yet. But, I did enjoy this book, my favorite story being 'May Day'. People have called him a master of the short story and based upon what I have read, I agree.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I always find it difficult to rate a book of short stories because there are always some I loved and some that went in one ear and it didn't dishearten me to let them fly straight out of the other. In this case the few that would have exceeded the 3 star rating, had they been published standalone, were Porcelain and Pink, The Diamond as Big as the Ritz, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and "O Russet Witch!".
As for this particular edition, I love this series of Alma Classics, partly because of the interesting pictures and notes on the author, and partly because I am rather partial to the cover art - I do love a bit of foiling detail in a book cover!
As for this particular edition, I love this series of Alma Classics, partly because of the interesting pictures and notes on the author, and partly because I am rather partial to the cover art - I do love a bit of foiling detail in a book cover!