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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
I've come to really like Fitzgerald's writing and while it took me some time to finish, I really enjoyed this book. It was very frustrating overall, but I should have guessed that from the title. Can't wait to read of of him
funny
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
Requiem for a Dream with less drugs and more 1920s. Also less depressing
This is rather a depressing book. A man, with no moral standing, no desire, only selfishness ends up showing the world he was right. He also shows the world how to be alone.
With that said, the book has an interesting interplay with post-modernism and modernity that pops up time again, most notably in Maury's speech at the train station in the middle of the night. There he is left in despair, which is how the rest of the story plays out. The two main characters, Anthony and Gloria, are left in despair. In the end, to the outside observer their lives are seen as pitiable at best.
Perhaps that was the point of the story, to show despair at life.
With that said, the book has an interesting interplay with post-modernism and modernity that pops up time again, most notably in Maury's speech at the train station in the middle of the night. There he is left in despair, which is how the rest of the story plays out. The two main characters, Anthony and Gloria, are left in despair. In the end, to the outside observer their lives are seen as pitiable at best.
Perhaps that was the point of the story, to show despair at life.
very aptly titled; tragic and beautifully written. Fitzgerald has such a knack for creating hopelessly flawed and broken characters... and Anthony Patch has to be one of the best examples of these. I found myself surprisingly drawn to Gloria; despite her many flaws I was still routing for her to get a happy ending
although it's often criticised for not being well written or for being rushed I personally had no problem in that respect - although I may be a little biased by being an avid Fitzgerald fan.
although it's often criticised for not being well written or for being rushed I personally had no problem in that respect - although I may be a little biased by being an avid Fitzgerald fan.
The main characters in this book, Anthony and his wife Gloria, are quite unlikeable. They are young, educated, and wealthy, living in New York in the early 1900s. Anthony is lazy and eventually becomes an alcoholic, Gloria can't seem to stop spending their money. Anthony is eventually cut out of his wealthy grandfather's will, and while the legal proceedings around his appeal drag on, Gloria and Anthony's life disintegrates. They cannot seem to make a good or responsible choice.
I skimmed much of this, and about halfway through I almost gave up on it, but kept going after a major turn in the plot. It drags in some places, and while Fitzgerald is a great writer, the characters are not enough to keep your attention - neither is the story, which tends to be the same old thing over and over (though to be fair - that's because of the characters' decisions).
I skimmed much of this, and about halfway through I almost gave up on it, but kept going after a major turn in the plot. It drags in some places, and while Fitzgerald is a great writer, the characters are not enough to keep your attention - neither is the story, which tends to be the same old thing over and over (though to be fair - that's because of the characters' decisions).
I think I’d give it somewhere between 3.5 and 4 ⭐️s, so I rounded up.