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pumpkinghost24's review against another edition
3.0
More like 3.5. It was slow, and sometimes boring, but the language was beautiful at times and I think she quite captured Zelda Fitzgerald. I did wish the focus had been much more on her rather than Zelda just playing the supporting role that she did. I didn't care about Anna's life much, aside from a few pages here and there. It took me forever to finish this because it wasn't very absorbing. It was like I had to force myself to keep reading sometimes, I even had to schedule it in so I could finish. Even still some of the words and imagery were beautiful.
jennykd2's review against another edition
4.0
i was intrigued by this book as i can't usually pass up anything that involves crazy people...even though i'm not too much in to fiction.
i love the era and i enjoy f. scott fitzgerald's works, so i was even more intrigued when i was reading and found that he used zelda's diaries. i didn't even know he was married! his treatment of her was-wow...a very moving story, interesting to see it from a third party-anna.
the only thing i felt was a bit sudden and not as well developed was the relationship later in the book (not to spoil). other than that, it was a good book and a fast read.
i think if someone is looking for a good intro into zelda's life, this may be a good starting point, since it is fiction and didn't go too deep. i do plan on reading the book "z" now and doing more research into zelda's art. i may read "hemingway's girl" as well since i did enjoy this author's writing.
so good lines and quotes that make you think.
i love the era and i enjoy f. scott fitzgerald's works, so i was even more intrigued when i was reading and found that he used zelda's diaries. i didn't even know he was married! his treatment of her was-wow...a very moving story, interesting to see it from a third party-anna.
the only thing i felt was a bit sudden and not as well developed was the relationship later in the book (not to spoil). other than that, it was a good book and a fast read.
i think if someone is looking for a good intro into zelda's life, this may be a good starting point, since it is fiction and didn't go too deep. i do plan on reading the book "z" now and doing more research into zelda's art. i may read "hemingway's girl" as well since i did enjoy this author's writing.
so good lines and quotes that make you think.
jskell911's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-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
4.0
vfosslay's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this historical fiction account of Zelda Fitzgerald and her marriage to Scott. It was a good read.
alliesmusings's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
whatsheread's review against another edition
Zelda Fitzgerald, probably the most famous Flapper to exist, had the type of real-life relationship that makes Scarlett O’Hara’s relationship with Rhett Butler look staid in comparison. Her marriage to F. Scott Fitzgerald was notoriously volatile, as each struggled with their own personal demons and mental illnesses. Erika Robuck’s Call Me Zelda provides an intimate look into the life of this remarkable woman, while introducing readers to an equally impressive woman in Anna Howard, a nurse who becomes Zelda’s personal caregiver and who is dealing with her own heartache. Together, both women explore the meaning of independence, love, and loss, and form a friendship that will last for decades.
Scott and Zelda’s relationship is a true tragic love story. There is no doubt that they loved each other unequivocally and passionately. However, both sides are guilty of the destruction that mars the beauty of their relationship. Scott’s alcohol and Zelda’s mental illness are the two catalysts that set fire to their fragile relationship. What started out as a mutually beneficial working relationship - in addition to passionate marriage - becomes the biggest obstacle between them, as neither side can adapt to the need for a new set of boundaries or their new roles. Scott refuses to accept Zelda’s need for artistic output and identity, not willing to give up the muse that so inspired him and helped him become famous, while Zelda digresses to childlike behavior used to deliberately provoke her husband and set him to further drink. It is a vicious, ugly cycle that does not end until his death. It is into this maelstrom that Anna strides, fervently hoping to set things to right in order to help her patient. It proves to be a job beyond her talents.
Anna’s own story is equally tragic, but the tragedies that bring both women together ultimately set them apart as well. While Zelda’s mental illness is a huge mitigating factor in the decline of her marriage, ultimately both Scott and Zelda create much of their own chaos. In contrast, Anna’s story is not one of her own making. As she struggles to help her patient and heal from her own wounds, a reader can only admire her dedication, steadfastness, and determination. This serves her well as she enters the tumultuous lives of the Fitzgeralds’. It also proves to be helpful in allowing her to set aside her past heartache and move forward when the time is right. She is the type of character that easily evokes sympathy and makes a reader want to be a better person. As such, one is firmly supportive behind Anna through all of her doubts, awkwardness, and later her happiness.
Ms. Robuck does an excellent job of bringing back to life the extraordinary Fitzgeralds and of creating a highly realistic and sympathetic character in Anna. Better yet, for every fact she presents, more questions will automatically arise. Were the Fitzgeralds’ a victim of the era in which they lived? Would they have had nearly as many problems had they lived in the Baby Boomer era or even before the Jazz Age? That being said, would Scott have been half as success if he had written in a different decade as well? Was Zelda really sick or a victim of her own circumstances? Questions like these only indicate how successful Ms. Robuck is at fleshing out these large-than-life historical figures and making readers care about them. Call Me Zelda is a fascinating glimpse at the decline of the Jazz Age, as those who epitomized the era struggle to find new roles in an age that no longer considers them relevant.
Scott and Zelda’s relationship is a true tragic love story. There is no doubt that they loved each other unequivocally and passionately. However, both sides are guilty of the destruction that mars the beauty of their relationship. Scott’s alcohol and Zelda’s mental illness are the two catalysts that set fire to their fragile relationship. What started out as a mutually beneficial working relationship - in addition to passionate marriage - becomes the biggest obstacle between them, as neither side can adapt to the need for a new set of boundaries or their new roles. Scott refuses to accept Zelda’s need for artistic output and identity, not willing to give up the muse that so inspired him and helped him become famous, while Zelda digresses to childlike behavior used to deliberately provoke her husband and set him to further drink. It is a vicious, ugly cycle that does not end until his death. It is into this maelstrom that Anna strides, fervently hoping to set things to right in order to help her patient. It proves to be a job beyond her talents.
Anna’s own story is equally tragic, but the tragedies that bring both women together ultimately set them apart as well. While Zelda’s mental illness is a huge mitigating factor in the decline of her marriage, ultimately both Scott and Zelda create much of their own chaos. In contrast, Anna’s story is not one of her own making. As she struggles to help her patient and heal from her own wounds, a reader can only admire her dedication, steadfastness, and determination. This serves her well as she enters the tumultuous lives of the Fitzgeralds’. It also proves to be helpful in allowing her to set aside her past heartache and move forward when the time is right. She is the type of character that easily evokes sympathy and makes a reader want to be a better person. As such, one is firmly supportive behind Anna through all of her doubts, awkwardness, and later her happiness.
Ms. Robuck does an excellent job of bringing back to life the extraordinary Fitzgeralds and of creating a highly realistic and sympathetic character in Anna. Better yet, for every fact she presents, more questions will automatically arise. Were the Fitzgeralds’ a victim of the era in which they lived? Would they have had nearly as many problems had they lived in the Baby Boomer era or even before the Jazz Age? That being said, would Scott have been half as success if he had written in a different decade as well? Was Zelda really sick or a victim of her own circumstances? Questions like these only indicate how successful Ms. Robuck is at fleshing out these large-than-life historical figures and making readers care about them. Call Me Zelda is a fascinating glimpse at the decline of the Jazz Age, as those who epitomized the era struggle to find new roles in an age that no longer considers them relevant.
meglynw's review against another edition
3.0
I was excited to read this, because I love Hemingway's Girl SO much. This was not as moving to me as that one. It was good, though. I enjoyed seeing Zelda from the perspective of a nurse/friend, and appreciated Anna's own story throughout. I was glad to see her find happiness, because she was a character that I was able to love, easily. Erika Robuck obviously has a knack for creating loveable characters. I look forward to reading more from her.
lmjack91's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Zelda is not the main character, but she might as well have been to me, because I found myself not really caring about Anna and her story, but more about Zelda.
Knowing very little about the infamous Fitzgerald's, this book made me want to learn more about the life of both Zelda and Scott.
Knowing very little about the infamous Fitzgerald's, this book made me want to learn more about the life of both Zelda and Scott.
booksavor's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book! I am also reading the author's other novel, Hemingway's Girl", and I loved that her characters overlapped, as Gavin made a very brief appearance in this novel. I could not put this book down!