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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
I have been meaning to read a book by F. Scott Fitzgerald since I'm into this jazz early 1900s feel. Something that reads posh, classy and romantic. I'm glad I started by reading this collection of short stories.
4/5 ratings
I absolutely love it. I was a bit scared of reading another literature book, but compared to the other literature books I have read, the words are far easier to digest. My favourite among all the short stories have to be 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' and 'A Diamond as Big as the Ritz'. I've watched the movie of the former, and it's completely different. But they're both really good.
The stories I didn't get have to be: 'Tarquin of Cheapside' and 'Mr Icky'. Yeap, that costs one star.
I should definitely read more of his work. For now, I'm going back to teen fiction or malay book. I do recommend you this book though!
4/5 ratings
I absolutely love it. I was a bit scared of reading another literature book, but compared to the other literature books I have read, the words are far easier to digest. My favourite among all the short stories have to be 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' and 'A Diamond as Big as the Ritz'. I've watched the movie of the former, and it's completely different. But they're both really good.
The stories I didn't get have to be: 'Tarquin of Cheapside' and 'Mr Icky'. Yeap, that costs one star.
I should definitely read more of his work. For now, I'm going back to teen fiction or malay book. I do recommend you this book though!
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Reading Rush book 8
I still can't get over how beautiful Fitzgerald's writing is...
I still can't get over how beautiful Fitzgerald's writing is...
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really like Fitzgerald's writing, and his short stories were very interesting. The last few were a little repetitive, I thought, concerning as they did sad young couples with young children falling apart, but overall there was a very interesting mix of New York socialite stories, stories with some very strange, almost fantastical events (such as "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "O Russet Witch"). My favorite of the collection is probably "The Lees of Happiness", which I found very moving and interesting. I'll definitely keep reading Fitzgerald's short stories after this.
One of the best short story collections I've ever read! Many of the stories felt like 5-starred reads, but some were just s0-so (hence the 4 stars).
A must read for any one who enjoys excellent writing and touching stories. Somehow these stories felt more powerful than some of his novels. I was reminded what a brilliant writer Fitzgerald was.
A must read for any one who enjoys excellent writing and touching stories. Somehow these stories felt more powerful than some of his novels. I was reminded what a brilliant writer Fitzgerald was.
Having read The Great Gatsby back in my school days and now this collection of short stories, I think I'm going to humbly accept that F. Scott Fitzgerald just isn't really for me. I can see the literary merit in some respects, but his style just does nothing for me, unfortunately. In terms of positives, the real standout was definitely The Cut-Glass Bowl, a subtly sinister story about a woman's life haunted by the 'cursed' gift of a man she rejected in her youth. If I'd read it as a stand-alone, I'd have been much more impressed.
Almost all the other stories in here suffer from the problem of sounding considerably more interesting in concept than they are to actually read, however. A man ageing in reverse; a man's life defined by the times he was punched in the face; a man who sacrifices his academic career for the woman he loves, before resenting the fact she becomes the successful one: they sound great, I just find Fitzgerald's style too dry to ever actually feel gripped or fully engaged.
There's also racism in pretty much every story. Yes, to an extent we have to make allowances for things being 'of their time', but that doesn't stop me feeling angry and uncomfortable to read about Benjamin's father casually wishing his son was black so he could sell him as a slave and solve all his problems... The racist comments aren't made in ways to highlight racism; they're made because of the author's own clearly prejudiced thoughts, as though the reader should sympathise and agree. This was also a factor in me never being able to properly relate to or engage with the characters.
Anyway, I'm glad to have tried more of his work outwith an academic environment. At least now I can say definitively that I've given him a fair go and his style just isn't for me.
Almost all the other stories in here suffer from the problem of sounding considerably more interesting in concept than they are to actually read, however. A man ageing in reverse; a man's life defined by the times he was punched in the face; a man who sacrifices his academic career for the woman he loves, before resenting the fact she becomes the successful one: they sound great, I just find Fitzgerald's style too dry to ever actually feel gripped or fully engaged.
There's also racism in pretty much every story. Yes, to an extent we have to make allowances for things being 'of their time', but that doesn't stop me feeling angry and uncomfortable to read about Benjamin's father casually wishing his son was black so he could sell him as a slave and solve all his problems... The racist comments aren't made in ways to highlight racism; they're made because of the author's own clearly prejudiced thoughts, as though the reader should sympathise and agree. This was also a factor in me never being able to properly relate to or engage with the characters.
Anyway, I'm glad to have tried more of his work outwith an academic environment. At least now I can say definitively that I've given him a fair go and his style just isn't for me.
Enjoyable, but often quite odd, Tales of the Jazz Age is most notable for its insight into Fitzgerald's craft. The little annotations in the table of contents for each story are entertaining. My favorite section by far is the first, four stories categorized as "My Last Flappers." Shockingly, the fantasies were disappointing to me. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is one of the rare pieces of literature that is shown up by its movie version. "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" is ridiculous and offensive in multiple ways, both through classism and racism. Overall, some stories are entertaining, but I don't see much need for most people to read the entire book.