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arisbookcorner 's review for:
This Side of Paradise
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
IQ "I don't want to repeat my innocence. I want the pleasure of losing it again", Amory pg. 229
This book made little sense to me. It seems cobbled together, there are bizarre encounters with the supernatural and the prose is so heavy and elegant that I got lost following it but this book made me adore Fitzgerald. I think he's a brilliant writer although I'm glad I read THE GREAT GATSBY before this one so that I knew his writing truly got better. This book is extremely witty and dry, reminding me of my favorite films from the late '30s to late '40s such as:
Rosalind: "Sometimes when I've felt particularly radiant I've thought, why should this be wasted on one man?
Cecelia: "Often when you're particularly sulky, I've wondered why it should all be wasted on just one family" (pg. 156). The part of the book this tidbit comes from reads very differently from the rest of the book in terms of format so its just one example of the how uneven the entire book seems. Also I wonder if it would kill Fitzgerald to write about a woman whose not crazy and temperamental and dishonest, he writes well-rounded characters but his women are all the same (except for Clara and her character was underdeveloped). Furthermore I can't say I liked the ambiguous ending nor did I like Fitzgerald glossing over Amory's time in the army, yes it wasn't glamourous and he didn't go overseas but I still wanted to know what he did. And Amory's parents are virtually non-existent which seemed odd.
I enjoyed the autobiographical aspect of this story and Amory is highly amusing and while he starts off being annoyingly narcissistic, he gets better. He's remarkably opinionated and a prankster so he's fun to read about, and his unfortunate taste in women makes for a fascinating read (it also made me want to kinda be like the women he so admires because as crazy as they are, they are rich, fun and intelligent. Except for Rosalind). I especially loved the quote I chose above (obviously) because it's a money quote, truer words were never spoken. I wouldn't want to go through the awkwardness of high school and even freshman year of college again, but there were some very fun moments. When losing one's innocence. I think with this book Fitzgerald did a fantastic job talking about how lost and aimless youth can feel in general, especially his generation, in all areas from love to career to politics but it still holds up today with my generation.
Another great quote;
Rosalind: "I'd rather keep it as a beautiful memory-tucked away in my heart.
Amory: "Yes, women can do that-but not men. I'd remember always, not the beauty of it while it lasted, but just the bitterness, the long bitterness" (pg. 173). I actually feel like that quote is not hyperbole. I know it sounds silly but based on articles I've read and movies I've seen, that seems to be the general sentiment. Women are able to mature and look back on their relationships with a bittersweet attitude while men either refuse to acknowledge having their heart broken or sour on the whole relationship love thing forever.
This book made little sense to me. It seems cobbled together, there are bizarre encounters with the supernatural and the prose is so heavy and elegant that I got lost following it but this book made me adore Fitzgerald. I think he's a brilliant writer although I'm glad I read THE GREAT GATSBY before this one so that I knew his writing truly got better. This book is extremely witty and dry, reminding me of my favorite films from the late '30s to late '40s such as:
Rosalind: "Sometimes when I've felt particularly radiant I've thought, why should this be wasted on one man?
Cecelia: "Often when you're particularly sulky, I've wondered why it should all be wasted on just one family" (pg. 156). The part of the book this tidbit comes from reads very differently from the rest of the book in terms of format so its just one example of the how uneven the entire book seems. Also I wonder if it would kill Fitzgerald to write about a woman whose not crazy and temperamental and dishonest, he writes well-rounded characters but his women are all the same (except for Clara and her character was underdeveloped). Furthermore I can't say I liked the ambiguous ending nor did I like Fitzgerald glossing over Amory's time in the army, yes it wasn't glamourous and he didn't go overseas but I still wanted to know what he did. And Amory's parents are virtually non-existent which seemed odd.
I enjoyed the autobiographical aspect of this story and Amory is highly amusing and while he starts off being annoyingly narcissistic, he gets better. He's remarkably opinionated and a prankster so he's fun to read about, and his unfortunate taste in women makes for a fascinating read (it also made me want to kinda be like the women he so admires because as crazy as they are, they are rich, fun and intelligent. Except for Rosalind). I especially loved the quote I chose above (obviously) because it's a money quote, truer words were never spoken. I wouldn't want to go through the awkwardness of high school and even freshman year of college again, but there were some very fun moments. When losing one's innocence. I think with this book Fitzgerald did a fantastic job talking about how lost and aimless youth can feel in general, especially his generation, in all areas from love to career to politics but it still holds up today with my generation.
Another great quote;
Rosalind: "I'd rather keep it as a beautiful memory-tucked away in my heart.
Amory: "Yes, women can do that-but not men. I'd remember always, not the beauty of it while it lasted, but just the bitterness, the long bitterness" (pg. 173). I actually feel like that quote is not hyperbole. I know it sounds silly but based on articles I've read and movies I've seen, that seems to be the general sentiment. Women are able to mature and look back on their relationships with a bittersweet attitude while men either refuse to acknowledge having their heart broken or sour on the whole relationship love thing forever.