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lynniew13's review against another edition
4.0
"Art is a form of madness, I think... Then art is addiction" (Robuck 288).
"...and I rest knowing they are finally at peace - the mythic salamander and her one true love" (Roebuck 319).
"...and I rest knowing they are finally at peace - the mythic salamander and her one true love" (Roebuck 319).
kristinasshelves's review against another edition
5.0
When a book makes you stay up far too late one night and tear up the next, then it's no less than 4.5 stars!
The narrator of this story is Anna Howard, a nurse at the Phipps Psychiatric Clinic of John Hopkins in Maryland. The story begins in Feb 1932 as Zelda Fitzgerald is admitted due to a diagnosis of Dementia praecox, what is now schizophrenia. Anna and Zelda almost instantly develop a fondness for one another that transitions to a lasting, if at times codependent, friendship. Anna accompanies Zelda through the biggest transitions of her life, most of which involve moving between her home and various institutions. The insight Anna insight into Zelda and Scott's toxic marriage as Scott battles alcoholism and jealousy of Zelda; neither of which are a good combination for her mental illness. There is also talk of Scott plagiarizing his most popular stories from Zelda's writings, very much seen in her publication of [b:Save Me the Waltz|150104|Save Me the Waltz|Zelda Fitzgerald|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1329118499l/150104._SY75_.jpg|144874] as it directly mirrors [b:Tender Is the Night|46164|Tender Is the Night|F. Scott Fitzgerald|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1559763775l/46164._SY75_.jpg|8272]. Zelda says of Scott: “he’s more like me than I’m like him” (p 23), and “but I don’t know how Scott will write with me locked up…I am his words" (p.23-24);
Along with being a constant support for Zelda, Anna has her very own life. Her husband, Ben, was pronounced MIA during his service in WWI and her daughter, Katie, died at the age of five. As she deepens the friendship with Zelda, she also comes to terms with the tragic events of her life. Also present are her parents, a mother with Multiple Sclerosis and a support father; along with her brother, a priest named Peter who has quite the unexpected wild streak. As the book progresses, Anna's life changes in many ways and her character growth was fantastic to watch.
This book is broken into two acts, the latter of which seems almost unnecessary as there is a jump forward in time from 1934 to 1948. While I initially felt like this was a long epilogue, it was the most touching parts, as the friendship between Anna and Zelda comes full circle before Zelda's untimely death as the result of a fire at her final institution.
While there were certainly very fictional parts of this story, I adored it! From what I know of the true history of the Fitzgeralds, their chaotic yet still loving dynamic was very well captured. There was even an unexpected faith element thrown in toward the end looking at the unmerited salvation Christ has given us.
The narrator of this story is Anna Howard, a nurse at the Phipps Psychiatric Clinic of John Hopkins in Maryland. The story begins in Feb 1932 as Zelda Fitzgerald is admitted due to a diagnosis of Dementia praecox, what is now schizophrenia. Anna and Zelda almost instantly develop a fondness for one another that transitions to a lasting, if at times codependent, friendship. Anna accompanies Zelda through the biggest transitions of her life, most of which involve moving between her home and various institutions. The insight Anna insight into Zelda and Scott's toxic marriage as Scott battles alcoholism and jealousy of Zelda; neither of which are a good combination for her mental illness. There is also talk of Scott plagiarizing his most popular stories from Zelda's writings, very much seen in her publication of [b:Save Me the Waltz|150104|Save Me the Waltz|Zelda Fitzgerald|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1329118499l/150104._SY75_.jpg|144874] as it directly mirrors [b:Tender Is the Night|46164|Tender Is the Night|F. Scott Fitzgerald|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1559763775l/46164._SY75_.jpg|8272]. Zelda says of Scott: “he’s more like me than I’m like him” (p 23), and “but I don’t know how Scott will write with me locked up…I am his words" (p.23-24);
Along with being a constant support for Zelda, Anna has her very own life. Her husband, Ben, was pronounced MIA during his service in WWI and her daughter, Katie, died at the age of five. As she deepens the friendship with Zelda, she also comes to terms with the tragic events of her life. Also present are her parents, a mother with Multiple Sclerosis and a support father; along with her brother, a priest named Peter who has quite the unexpected wild streak. As the book progresses, Anna's life changes in many ways and her character growth was fantastic to watch.
This book is broken into two acts, the latter of which seems almost unnecessary as there is a jump forward in time from 1934 to 1948. While I initially felt like this was a long epilogue, it was the most touching parts, as the friendship between Anna and Zelda comes full circle before Zelda's untimely death as the result of a fire at her final institution.
While there were certainly very fictional parts of this story, I adored it! From what I know of the true history of the Fitzgeralds, their chaotic yet still loving dynamic was very well captured. There was even an unexpected faith element thrown in toward the end looking at the unmerited salvation Christ has given us.
dana_in_denver's review against another edition
4.0
This is a historical fiction about Zelda Fitzgerald and her husband F. Scott Fitzgerald. The story is primarily about Zelda and her friendship with a nurse that she met during one of her stays at a psychiatric hospital. The author lists a long bibliography and accounts a lot of documented history about this once very famous couple. I found in to be fascinating.
lyndseyreader's review against another edition
3.0
A sweet story --nice, light historical fiction with major literary characters in supporting roles. A good summer read.
plumeriade's review against another edition
2.0
the book summary made it sound like this is about zelda fitzgerald. it's not. it's about a made-up nurse and her life drama and romances and oh i guess also some snippets about the time she spends being emotional support for zelda. (and unfortunately, there's not stellar writing or anything to make up for that.)
phinas's review against another edition
4.0
I was not disappointed. This was a great book. The way the author tells two stories at once is wonderful! I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read more by this author.
brittneyw9's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Alcoholism, Death, Grief, War, Child death, Mental illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
ariailheath's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chawkinson30's review against another edition
1.0
I abandoned this book after 50 pages. I love books about Zelda Fitzgerald, but this novel is banal and boring, and the protagonist is completely one dimensional. I enjoyed the novel Z by Therese Fowler because it was well researched and the characters well developed. Call Me Zelda is lacking in both aspects. I decided I would rather read Tender Is the Night.