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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Favorites in this collection are: "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz", "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (which is inspired by a Mark Twain quote), "O Russet Witch!" and "The Lees of Happiness".
From "O Russet Witch!", speaking about an old man, FSF says, "He had angered providence by resisting too many temptations. There was nothing left but heaven where he would meet only those who, like him, had wasted Earth."
Here's to not wasting Earth.
From "O Russet Witch!", speaking about an old man, FSF says, "He had angered providence by resisting too many temptations. There was nothing left but heaven where he would meet only those who, like him, had wasted Earth."
Here's to not wasting Earth.
An interesting collection. Some of them are wonderful, others leave you wondering how they were published in the first place. Ah, how literary tastes change.
It's hard to rate a book of short stories because some of them are 4 star, most are 3 star, and a couple are 2 star. "May Day" was the best of the bunch. It's a pretty wild mix of stories--from straight comedy to political satire and social comment. You can tell from every romantic relationship in the stories what a nut job Zelda was.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
dark
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:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fitzgerald truly earned his place in literature with Gastby, and while this collection is not Gatsby, it is very well written. It was fun to read his other work, even if it wasn't as magical as Gatsby. Okay, I'm done fangirling now.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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