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theanitaalvarez's review
4.0
It's not a secret that I'm somewhat obsessed with the Lost Generation (Gertrude Stein dixit), so finding this book (it was my self-reward for completing NaNoWriMo last year) in the bookshop was amazing.
My first approaches to Fitzgerald were The Great Gatsby and Tender is the Night when I was in school, a long time ago. They were also the beginning of my interest in the Roaring Twenties. The images, the style, the music, the speakeasies, champagne, Paris, everything.
In this book, I got to see more of those days gone by through the eyes of one of the protagonists. Fitzgerald actualy lived through all the parties, jazz and drinking he describes in his novels. But not only that, he was a profound intellectual, who really knew a lot about his trade. He read other authors, became their friend and asked them for criticism, which I found fascinating. We don't normally get to see this side of authors. Fitzgerald had a great sense of humour, as well as a sense of tragedy, which is probably what allowed him to be the writer that he was.
I loved most of his quotes and comments about life. I agree with lots of them (not all of them, but quite a big number).
My favorite part was the one of the notebooks. As Mr. Fitzgerald, I own a lot of notebooks in which I jot down ideas, character sketeches and phrases that sound cool. Seeing that one of the my favorites did the same thing was brilliant! I enjoyed a lot getting to see those glimpses into Fitzgerald's mind and how he approached writing. His letters to Scottie, his daughter, were especially
Having said that, I'd also say that I wouldn't recommend this book to everybody. It's great for Fitzgerald fans, or people who want to learn about the Jazz Age from its protagonist. For other people, it won't probably be as entertaining and interesting as it was to me.
My first approaches to Fitzgerald were The Great Gatsby and Tender is the Night when I was in school, a long time ago. They were also the beginning of my interest in the Roaring Twenties. The images, the style, the music, the speakeasies, champagne, Paris, everything.
In this book, I got to see more of those days gone by through the eyes of one of the protagonists. Fitzgerald actualy lived through all the parties, jazz and drinking he describes in his novels. But not only that, he was a profound intellectual, who really knew a lot about his trade. He read other authors, became their friend and asked them for criticism, which I found fascinating. We don't normally get to see this side of authors. Fitzgerald had a great sense of humour, as well as a sense of tragedy, which is probably what allowed him to be the writer that he was.
Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy.
I loved most of his quotes and comments about life. I agree with lots of them (not all of them, but quite a big number).
My favorite part was the one of the notebooks. As Mr. Fitzgerald, I own a lot of notebooks in which I jot down ideas, character sketeches and phrases that sound cool. Seeing that one of the my favorites did the same thing was brilliant! I enjoyed a lot getting to see those glimpses into Fitzgerald's mind and how he approached writing. His letters to Scottie, his daughter, were especially
Having said that, I'd also say that I wouldn't recommend this book to everybody. It's great for Fitzgerald fans, or people who want to learn about the Jazz Age from its protagonist. For other people, it won't probably be as entertaining and interesting as it was to me.
trinitym's review
2.0
The first two parts were enjoyable but the last I found to be only tolerable. However, I've never been that fond of his writing so I'd take my opinion with a grain of salt.
lnatal's review
4.0
Fascinating auto-biography of Fitzgerald, followed by plenty of his notes, letters from friends and "obituaries" as well.
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