Reviews

The Beautiful and Damned, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

linsc's review

challenging reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

anabradley's review against another edition

reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed TBD. The concept of the young, beautiful, and wealthy couple who could have had everything but instead squandered it in drink and laziness is beautifully tragic. 

The prose is beautiful, although it doesn't quite reach the heights of Gatsby. In this, I agree with introducer Geoff Dyer that TBD isn't fully realised. The random switch in the narrative to the format of a play at various moments seemed odd, as did the interjection of a 'bilphist' higher power that is never again mentioned. I'm intrigued to read 'Tender is the Night', for which TBD is said to be a precursor. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Xenophobia and Racism

Very of-the-time references to Black, Japanese, and Jewish characters, all fulfilling certain stereotypes.

piperhudsburn's review against another edition

5.0

This book is long. This book gets boring. But it's brilliant. It is definitely my favorite of Fitzgerald's works. It may be dense, but, in my opinion, it beats The Great Gatsby at portraying the hypocrisy of the 1920's.

“A man’s social rank is determined by the amount of bread he eats in a sandwich.”

Obviously, this novel needed a serious editor. But, if you take it as it is- a complex, multi-layered critique on 1920's society, you'll enjoy watching Anthony Patch "fight" (via alcoholism, dreams, and lethargy) for his own chance at the American Dream.

Anthony and Gloria's relationship also provides wonderful insight into Fitzgerald's marriage with his wife, Zelda and his relationship with writing and drinking, if you are interested in that sort of thing. I know the book is long- but it'll be worth it. I promise.

sierrachristine's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

angie_t's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

thereaderintherye's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

aurorabulgaris's review against another edition

4.0

Finally an FSF book I liked. He has an incredible ability to write exceptionally unlikable characters in a way that I still want to read.

ohava's review against another edition

It's just too long. You get the premise when the book starts but each part is meandering in the same place. Personally, I couldn't continue in part 3 because I don't like

Spoiler

Anthony’s decisions</spoilers>. 

julargett's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

casual read and pretty style
not my favorite by Fitzgerald though

carinecarine's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0