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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I've read more than half of F. Scott's body of work, and this collection is true to my overall feel of his work. There are moments when I am indifferent or downright loathe his scenes, yet overall I find myself in love and can't pull myself away. The only story I didn't care much for was "Diamond as Big as the Ritz," but my reasons for disliking it aren't a very sound judgement of his talents. The inhumanity of the story left a bad taste in my mouth, which I know was it's aim, and in doing so makes it very successful. Otherwise, however, this is one of my favorite books on my shelf, and one given to me by a friend who's dad used it in school back in the day, which furthers my attachment.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
In case you didn't already know, Fitzgerald kicks some ass with his short stories.
Dear loyal goodreads followers,
Two things brought me back to F. Scott. I watched the Great Gatsby (the one with Leonardo DiCaprio) and I read a short story of F. Scott's in a compilation called Babylon, Revisited. The Great Gatsby, while a mediocre movie, drew me in with the compelling character of Gatsby, still a puzzling contradiction after so many years. Babylon, Revisited, taking place in Paris, reminded me of Richard Ford in it's contrite narration of former vice and glory replaced by more sober responsibilities in the fallen splendor of Paris.
The 20s, mes amis, were another time. The United States was an aristocracy as we usually associate with western Europe. Fitzgerald mostly writes about wealthy young men at exclusive Eastern schools and clubs, but this is not his defining legacy. He writes with true lyricism, in the ornate sense of the word, but still with a true insight into our dreams and feverish hopes. The human nature that concerns him most are ambition and the desire to be noble and classic and true. These obviously are illusions with the most tragic consequences. Making money and making love, what are more human I ask of my fellow goodreaders.
Two things brought me back to F. Scott. I watched the Great Gatsby (the one with Leonardo DiCaprio) and I read a short story of F. Scott's in a compilation called Babylon, Revisited. The Great Gatsby, while a mediocre movie, drew me in with the compelling character of Gatsby, still a puzzling contradiction after so many years. Babylon, Revisited, taking place in Paris, reminded me of Richard Ford in it's contrite narration of former vice and glory replaced by more sober responsibilities in the fallen splendor of Paris.
The 20s, mes amis, were another time. The United States was an aristocracy as we usually associate with western Europe. Fitzgerald mostly writes about wealthy young men at exclusive Eastern schools and clubs, but this is not his defining legacy. He writes with true lyricism, in the ornate sense of the word, but still with a true insight into our dreams and feverish hopes. The human nature that concerns him most are ambition and the desire to be noble and classic and true. These obviously are illusions with the most tragic consequences. Making money and making love, what are more human I ask of my fellow goodreaders.
From BBC Radio 4 Extra:
An intensely personal portrait of a man who has squandered his life (his fortune dissipated, his marriage broken, his young daughter lost to him) it was written in the aftermath of the Wall Street Crash and still resonates deeply.
An intensely personal portrait of a man who has squandered his life (his fortune dissipated, his marriage broken, his young daughter lost to him) it was written in the aftermath of the Wall Street Crash and still resonates deeply.
well, this story didn’t feel as pointless as The Rich Boy.
Babylon Revisited is a sad story about father who wants to get the guardianship of his daughter.
Babylon Revisited is a sad story about father who wants to get the guardianship of his daughter.