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Publication
Penguin Classics (2010), Hardcover, 384 pages
Description
Fitzgerald's second novel, a devastating portrait of the excesses of the Jazz Age, is a largely autobiographical depiction of a glamorous, reckless Manhattan couple and their spectacular spiral into tragedy. Published on the heels of "This Side of Paradise," the story of the Harvard-educated aesthete Anthony Patch and his willful wife, Gloria, is propelled by Fitzgerald's intense romantic imagination and demonstrates an increased technical and emotional maturity. "The Beautiful and Damned" is at once a gripping morality tale, a rueful meditation on love, marriage, and money, and an acute social document. As Hortense Calisher observes in her Introduction, " Though Fitzgerald can entrance with stories so joyfully youthful they appear to be safe-- when he cuts himself, you will bleed."… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member dele2451
Nobody crafts simultaneously sympathetic and contemptible drunks quite like Fitzgerald. One of those books where you love the writing and hate the story because you have to watch characters who have been born with so much piss it all away through booze and lethargy. I'm happy Fitzgerald turned out
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to be a writer but, if he hadn't been, he would have made one heck of a psychologist. He has no trouble pinpointing the frailities of human character and he's not afraid to detail them. Show Less
LibraryThing member fuzzy_patters
Fitzgerald's brilliance lied in his ability to explain human emotions and motivations to us as readers that we can recognize in ourselves but would otherwise find it difficult to put into words. The Beautiful and the Damned is a perfect example of this. Most people struggle when they reach young
Anthony Patch is set to inherit millions of dollars once his grandfather, Adam Patch, dies. As such, he is bound and determined to never have to work for a living like his friend, Richard Caramel, who, after writing one good novel, has become a mediocre author who writes novels quickly and carelessly in order to make a quick buck. Anthony would much rather prove that he is not as mediocre as Richard by refusing to ever work at anything and hope that he can get by until his money runs out. This trait is exacerbated when Anthony falls in love with Richard's cousin, Gloria, who is even more impractical than he is. She only cares about being rich and beautiful and is not willing to do anything to attain that state.
Fitzgerald brings these characters to life for us in such a way that we see some of them in ourselves even though we may not be New York socialites waiting to inherit millions. The reader can relate to the crises of youth faced by the two characters, provided that the reader has lived through his twenties and their awkwardness. This is the brilliance of Fitzgerald. He can make us relate to people that would be otherwise unrelateable.
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adulthood to figure out where true happiness lies for them. Many go so far as to refuse to turn away from youthful idealism and become pragmatic rather than admit their own mediocrity and live a humdrum life like the rest of us. Fitzgerald's protagonist, Anthony Patch, is a perfect example of this.Anthony Patch is set to inherit millions of dollars once his grandfather, Adam Patch, dies. As such, he is bound and determined to never have to work for a living like his friend, Richard Caramel, who, after writing one good novel, has become a mediocre author who writes novels quickly and carelessly in order to make a quick buck. Anthony would much rather prove that he is not as mediocre as Richard by refusing to ever work at anything and hope that he can get by until his money runs out. This trait is exacerbated when Anthony falls in love with Richard's cousin, Gloria, who is even more impractical than he is. She only cares about being rich and beautiful and is not willing to do anything to attain that state.
Fitzgerald brings these characters to life for us in such a way that we see some of them in ourselves even though we may not be New York socialites waiting to inherit millions. The reader can relate to the crises of youth faced by the two characters, provided that the reader has lived through his twenties and their awkwardness. This is the brilliance of Fitzgerald. He can make us relate to people that would be otherwise unrelateable.
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LibraryThing member nigeyb
The only other books I've read by F. Scott Fitzgerald, prior to this one, are The Great Gatsby and Tender Is the Night. Both are wonderful, especially The Great Gatsby.
The Beautiful and Damned has many pointers to the greatness that was to follow just three years later with the publication of The
Unlike The Great Gatsby, this is long and sprawling novel and that is its great weakness. Some judicious editing might have resulted in another masterpiece. The Beautiful and Damned explores luxury's disappointment, and the corrupting and corrosive power of money. The couple at the heart of the story have it all and yet conspire to end the story as utterly broken and tragic.
As anyone who has already F. Scott Fitzgerald would expect, there is some stunning writing here and the book beautifully evokes the monied social milieu of the East Coast of the 1920s.
The Beautiful and Damned is worth reading - but read The Great Gatsby first.
3/5
The Beautiful and Damned has many pointers to the greatness that was to follow just three years later with the publication of The
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Great Gatsby Unlike The Great Gatsby, this is long and sprawling novel and that is its great weakness. Some judicious editing might have resulted in another masterpiece. The Beautiful and Damned explores luxury's disappointment, and the corrupting and corrosive power of money. The couple at the heart of the story have it all and yet conspire to end the story as utterly broken and tragic.
As anyone who has already F. Scott Fitzgerald would expect, there is some stunning writing here and the book beautifully evokes the monied social milieu of the East Coast of the 1920s.
The Beautiful and Damned is worth reading - but read The Great Gatsby first.
3/5
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LibraryThing member AMcBurnie
This book contains the summary phrase: “It was a triumph of Lethargy”. This phrase could form part of an alternative title, like those of many Victorian novels: “The Beautiful and the Damned, Or, the Triumph of Lethargy”.
In 1913 Anthony Patch is a rich young man in New York, newly
There's a lot of talk about the meaning of it all. At one point, Gloria says, “There's no lesson to be learnt from life”: maybe she'd been reading Chekov.
America eventually enters the war, Anthony is called up, has a sad affair in a southern town near his training camp, but as he is about to be shipped off to war, peace is declared. He returns to his wife in New York, they grow poorer, become alcoholics. The ending has little surprise.
Hmmm … obviously there is a lot more to the book than this bland summary, and it's worth reading because of it. But the repulsive lives of Antony and Gloria overwhelmed me, and drowned out the sensitively elucidated explanations. I don't consider myself to be a left-wing ideologue; but the lapsed protestant in me revolts. Even Gatsby actually did something. Living off a great pile of money seeping interest payments like sour honey, to no purpose, is a horrid thing.
In 1913 Anthony Patch is a rich young man in New York, newly
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graduated, with undefined ambitions for some form of accomplishment. He has a millionaire grandfather, now an ageing bore, from whom he hopes one day to inherit. He meets and becomes infatuated with Gloria, the beautiful daughter of rich mid-westerners, and after some minor difficulties they marry and become rich idle young things together. Somewhere in the background of their unengaged lives, World War 1 starts. They continue their social rounds and enjoy their place in the country along with their New York apartment. Adam occasionally thinks of employment, but he has plenty of money even though he is slowly working through his capital - perhaps it's an unconscious attempt destroy his life. Slowly, as their money slides away, Anthony and Gloria are drifting apart. Antony falls out with his grandfather and is disinherited. His lifebelt has vanished. There's a lot of talk about the meaning of it all. At one point, Gloria says, “There's no lesson to be learnt from life”: maybe she'd been reading Chekov.
America eventually enters the war, Anthony is called up, has a sad affair in a southern town near his training camp, but as he is about to be shipped off to war, peace is declared. He returns to his wife in New York, they grow poorer, become alcoholics. The ending has little surprise.
Hmmm … obviously there is a lot more to the book than this bland summary, and it's worth reading because of it. But the repulsive lives of Antony and Gloria overwhelmed me, and drowned out the sensitively elucidated explanations. I don't consider myself to be a left-wing ideologue; but the lapsed protestant in me revolts. Even Gatsby actually did something. Living off a great pile of money seeping interest payments like sour honey, to no purpose, is a horrid thing.
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LibraryThing member upstairsgirl
Tedious in the extreme with a profoundly unsatisfying resolution. The characters are boring, the social criticism is not particularly sharp or interesting, and absolutely nothing changes from one end of the novel to the other. In Edith Wharton's hands, this story would have been a funny, biting
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social commentary; in Fitzgerald's, it's not even a half-hearted indictment of the upper classes but rather a limping, uneven chronicle of the boy who never grew up. It's not clear to me whether the story wants to be perceived as tragic, but it fails through the sheer hatefulness of the protagonists. Not one of Fitzgerald's better efforts, to say the least. Show Less
LibraryThing member kohrmanmj
Tedious, although enjoyable at times.
LibraryThing member the_answer_is
Though there is a lot of useless "bla bla" that goes on in this book, dialogue that one would only understand in the time and place, the overall story is gripping. One of the best ending I've read.
LibraryThing member jkrejci
An excellent tale of dissipation and the perils of moral groundlessness, however not, in my opinion, as brilliant as Tender is the Night or the Great Gatsby. At times a tad rambling, including Fitzgerald's annoying habit of lapsing into thinly disguised social commentary or litcrit. However, he
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remains in my opinion one of the most gifted writers ever to put pen to paper. His lyricism is breathtaking, and at his best no one can compare with him. Show Less
LibraryThing member Chris_V
I bought this when it was republished in 1973 to tie-in with the release of THE GREAT GATSBY and remember being enthralled by it's central story of a rich young couple's marriage breaking down while being slightly annoyed at the book's length. As with THIS SIDE OF PARADISE it's probably time to
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re-read it. Show Less
LibraryThing member lsh63
I found this book to be a bit rambling at times, but overall an excellent portrayal of what happens to us when we are greedy, self indulgent and expect others to solve our problems.
Set in the wonderful Jazz Age in New York, The Beautiful and Damned is the story of Anthony Patch, a Havard educated
What happens next is an important lesson about reality, becoming a responsible adult and what brings true happiness. A great read although it is perhaps a little lenghty.
Set in the wonderful Jazz Age in New York, The Beautiful and Damned is the story of Anthony Patch, a Havard educated
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aspiring writer, and loafer and his wife Gloria,a petulant party girl's downward spiral after their brief courtship and marriage. Basically Anthony and Gloria are waiting patiently for his grandfather Adam Patch to die, so that they will inherit his multimillion dollar estate. Neither one feels as though they should work and instead live on a small trust income and sell bonds to pay their bills and afford liquor, cigarettes, and domestic help.What happens next is an important lesson about reality, becoming a responsible adult and what brings true happiness. A great read although it is perhaps a little lenghty.
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LibraryThing member Stormrose
9/20. Good, not great.
I love The Great Gatsby, and I think Fitzgerald is a brilliant author at the worst of times...and this is one of his less good books. Possibly because I've been reading too much about marriages falling apart.
I do recommend it - I think there are some incandescant moments in
I love The Great Gatsby, and I think Fitzgerald is a brilliant author at the worst of times...and this is one of his less good books. Possibly because I've been reading too much about marriages falling apart.
I do recommend it - I think there are some incandescant moments in
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here, some great character portraits, and the ending is absolutely spectacular. By any other author this would be a major work, by Fitzgerald...not so much. He is the opposite of his author character in the novel Carmel, who writes one great book and then is terrible. Show Less
LibraryThing member Schmerguls
As I was reading this book I said of it, on Feb 27,1952: "Erratic, at times thestory has real morbid power--very uneven." I finished the book on Mar 1, 1952, but made no further note in regard to it.
LibraryThing member Cecilturtle
This book is a marvel of styles: it can sometimes be very classically descriptive, even poetic in its romantic passages, or it can be quick witted dialogue and read like a play. The pace of the novel, as well, brilliantly changes as events precipitate: the first books set the stage: a fun-loving,
Fitzgerald's characters are not likable, nor are they meant to be, but they are intensely human and real, both puppets and makers of their lives. Although there are some lengthy passages, ultimately, the reader will become attached to these touching figures.
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party-going couple with no cares; the reader can predict tragedy, an inexorable end, until the war arrives and the whole dynamic changes. All of a sudden, the pace quickens, the characters, instead of seizing a chance for change, sink further into their habits until Anthony's alcoholism becomes pitiable and Gloria's vanity ridiculous. I did wonder how it would all end, and the ending is predictably dramatic - it was the irony that threw me off.Fitzgerald's characters are not likable, nor are they meant to be, but they are intensely human and real, both puppets and makers of their lives. Although there are some lengthy passages, ultimately, the reader will become attached to these touching figures.
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LibraryThing member lindsay7564
This book interested me, but at the same time bored me. The characters were not at all likeable in anyway. The book was slow and lacked an intriging plot line. However, I would recommend it. I think this book is almost dead on alot of upper class lives back then and now. I was personally able to
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relate the characters to people in my own life. Show Less
LibraryThing member letseatgrandpa
Good Lord, Fitzgerald, you can write depression like nobody’s business. While I could never call The Beautiful and the Damned an enjoyable read, per se, I can definitely say that Fitzgerald is a master of character study. His portrayal of the downward spiral of Anthony and Gloria is just as
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wrenching today as it must have been in the twenties. How often do we see the mighty socialites fall; the tabloids are covered with such stories. Difference is, Fitzgerald writes about them beautifully. If you’ve ever known someone in the throes of alcoholism, you’ll recognize them in Anthony Patch. If you’ve ever known a woman (or man, I guess) who cannot let go of their youth, who has only one strength in the world — their beauty — and who loses it as they age, you know Gloria. You’ll even recognize others in the secondary characters — the suicidal Dot who can’t be without her man, the once-great author who starts to write shtick for cash, the groups of friends who party themselves into oblivion. It’s all here. And Fitzgerald’s beautiful, light, honest writing does it all justice. Nearly a hundred years later, The Beautiful and the Damned is just as relevant. Show Less
LibraryThing member Salmondaze
Definitely a fine example of an artist maturing. I loved this book. Throughout the novel, Anthony Patch is a fucking douchebag, but it's something where finally the douchebag gets what he deserves. Certainly Great Expectations doesn't end with Pip gettin his just desserts. Anthony and Gloria are
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unlikeable but fully realized characters and the book shows examples of the thought process that lead to the Great Depression, although at 450 pages, it's not as tight as the masterful Great Gatsby (which was under 200). Show Less
LibraryThing member charlie68
A very well-written book by Fitzgerald where the plot meanders quite a lot. Offers fascinating insight into the Scott and Zelda lifestyle.
LibraryThing member bibleblaster
Though I had a little trouble getting into it (couldn't quite tell whether Fitzgerald's tone was detached, sarcastic, ironic, or sympathetic), I ended up being quite taken with this look at a different sort of "beat" generation. I appreciated that Fitzgerald did not attempt to romanticize his
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subjects; made me trust him more. It sometimes felt aimless as a novel, but that's kind of the point. Sad, often bleak, ultimately tragic, I think this is generally overlooked in descriptions of his canon, but I'm glad to have read it, if only because I was always intrigued by the title. And I'm sometimes a sucker for sad, bleak, tragic... Show Less
LibraryThing member HopingforChange
It's just no Great Gatsby. The descriptive power and fluid prose that I expect from Fitzgerald are still there, as is the commentary on the meaninglessness of daily existence, but the work lacks staying power. It just isn't a compelling read, and it doesn't leave you with a strong impression of its
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beauty the way that Gatsby does. Show Less
LibraryThing member HadriantheBlind
Cautionary tale about depravity and decadence. Very flowery writing style which is hit-or-miss. Still pretty good, though.
LibraryThing member Zumbanista
Dismal Deadbeats
The Beautiful and Damned is Fitzgerald's second book and is set in pre Jazz Age NYC. It is a dark and depressing story of the American aristocracy and nouveau-riche. The author writes a scathing commentary on society life and his tone is cynical and critical of nearly every
There is nothing redeeming about our two selfish and shallow protagonists, Anthony and Gloria. It's all about greed, manipulation, pettiness and depravity. If, as is thought, Gloria is based on Fitzgerald's wife, Zelda, it's not a very flattering portrayal. Gloria is trading on her beauty and Anthony on his promised inheritance. I felt no sympathy for these two, who find themselves in dire straits due mostly to their hedonism and stupidity. Both are pathetic.
While there are very many well written passages, some parts of the novel seemed over long. The story did keep me guessing as it unfolded, but I anticipated a bad end to this well-matched couple: well-matched in their extreme narcissism and lack of morale ethic.
Fitzgerald thoroughly convinced me there was nothing glamorous about the endless partying, resulting alcoholism and broken, useless lives of the Beautiful and Damned.
The Beautiful and Damned is Fitzgerald's second book and is set in pre Jazz Age NYC. It is a dark and depressing story of the American aristocracy and nouveau-riche. The author writes a scathing commentary on society life and his tone is cynical and critical of nearly every
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character he introduces us to.There is nothing redeeming about our two selfish and shallow protagonists, Anthony and Gloria. It's all about greed, manipulation, pettiness and depravity. If, as is thought, Gloria is based on Fitzgerald's wife, Zelda, it's not a very flattering portrayal. Gloria is trading on her beauty and Anthony on his promised inheritance. I felt no sympathy for these two, who find themselves in dire straits due mostly to their hedonism and stupidity. Both are pathetic.
While there are very many well written passages, some parts of the novel seemed over long. The story did keep me guessing as it unfolded, but I anticipated a bad end to this well-matched couple: well-matched in their extreme narcissism and lack of morale ethic.
Fitzgerald thoroughly convinced me there was nothing glamorous about the endless partying, resulting alcoholism and broken, useless lives of the Beautiful and Damned.
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LibraryThing member JVioland
I hereby give notice that I think F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of the most overrated writers of the twentieth century. The more I read of his works, the less I like him. Sure, he knows how to turn a phrase but he lacks what is essential to all truly good writers - how to make characters who appeal to
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the common man. This seems to me to be his major problem and will ultimately lead to his downfall from the pedestal upon which his friends in the New York publishing world had placed him. Who cares about the spoiled wealthy and their angst over empty lives? Every one of his books are similar in this respect. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookworm12
In 1913, a 25-year-old man, Anthony Patch, falls in love with a socialite named Gloria. The pair is ill-suited, neither one practical or hardworking, but their passionate love is based more on momentary infatuation than a long-lasting partnership. What follows is their marriage and then their
“Things are sweeter when they're lost. I know—because once I wanted something and got it. It was the only thing I ever wanted badly, Dot. And when I got it it turned to dust in my hands."
"I've often thought that if I hadn't got what I wanted things might have been different with me. I might have found something in my mind and enjoyed putting it in circulation. I might have been content with the work of it, and had some sweet vanity out of the success."
The progression of their marriage is all too familiar. They’re delighted with each new thing they discover about each other. Every new behavior is endearing instead of infuriating, but soon the delightful revelations turn to irritating quirks and then to soul-crushing habits. As you learn who your spouse truly is, flaws and all, it can be incredibly painful to come to terms with the marriage if you’ve chosen badly.
“It was, at first, a keen disappointment; later, it was one of the times when she controlled her temper."
Their downfall is so tragic because it’s so inevitable, yet it still comes as a surprise to them. They are trapped in a state of arrested development, perpetual partiers who are shocked when they begin to grow older and realize the life they love requires money that they don’t have.
Anthony is a pitiful character. He expects his family to give him money and has never had to work for a living. Because of this he has a view of self-importance but a lack of self-respect. As the story progresses he loses himself more and more in drink. Gloria reminded me of Estella from Great Expectations. She’s so admired that most men bore her. She flits from one to another with no real attachment. It’s not until she’s unhappily married for years that she begins to grow up. Her downfall feels all the more tragic because she doesn’t really become aware of what she values and desires until she is saddle with an alcoholic husband and those dreams are even farther out of reach.
BOTTOM LINE: For me it’s Fitzgerald’s writing and not his characters or plot that make him great. Tender is the Night is still my favorite of his books, but this one captures that unique moment in time when an entire generation glittered with hope before reality set in. That oft repeated pattern still rings true today when bright-eyed millennials realize the party finally has to stop.
“In a panic of despair and terror Anthony was brought back to America, wedded to a vague melancholy that was to stay beside him through the rest of his life.”
"A classic," suggested Anthony, "is a successful book that has survived the reaction of the next period or generation.”
“Surely the freshness of her cheeks was a gossamer projection from a land of delicate and undiscovered shades; her hand gleaming on the stained table-cloth was a shell from some far and wildly virginal sea…."
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inevitable disillusionment with each other and their lives. Fitzgerald’s gift for language is clear in every description. His novel paints a poetic picture, even though the characters themselves fill you with disdain. “Things are sweeter when they're lost. I know—because once I wanted something and got it. It was the only thing I ever wanted badly, Dot. And when I got it it turned to dust in my hands."
"I've often thought that if I hadn't got what I wanted things might have been different with me. I might have found something in my mind and enjoyed putting it in circulation. I might have been content with the work of it, and had some sweet vanity out of the success."
The progression of their marriage is all too familiar. They’re delighted with each new thing they discover about each other. Every new behavior is endearing instead of infuriating, but soon the delightful revelations turn to irritating quirks and then to soul-crushing habits. As you learn who your spouse truly is, flaws and all, it can be incredibly painful to come to terms with the marriage if you’ve chosen badly.
“It was, at first, a keen disappointment; later, it was one of the times when she controlled her temper."
Their downfall is so tragic because it’s so inevitable, yet it still comes as a surprise to them. They are trapped in a state of arrested development, perpetual partiers who are shocked when they begin to grow older and realize the life they love requires money that they don’t have.
Anthony is a pitiful character. He expects his family to give him money and has never had to work for a living. Because of this he has a view of self-importance but a lack of self-respect. As the story progresses he loses himself more and more in drink. Gloria reminded me of Estella from Great Expectations. She’s so admired that most men bore her. She flits from one to another with no real attachment. It’s not until she’s unhappily married for years that she begins to grow up. Her downfall feels all the more tragic because she doesn’t really become aware of what she values and desires until she is saddle with an alcoholic husband and those dreams are even farther out of reach.
BOTTOM LINE: For me it’s Fitzgerald’s writing and not his characters or plot that make him great. Tender is the Night is still my favorite of his books, but this one captures that unique moment in time when an entire generation glittered with hope before reality set in. That oft repeated pattern still rings true today when bright-eyed millennials realize the party finally has to stop.
“In a panic of despair and terror Anthony was brought back to America, wedded to a vague melancholy that was to stay beside him through the rest of his life.”
"A classic," suggested Anthony, "is a successful book that has survived the reaction of the next period or generation.”
“Surely the freshness of her cheeks was a gossamer projection from a land of delicate and undiscovered shades; her hand gleaming on the stained table-cloth was a shell from some far and wildly virginal sea…."
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LibraryThing member Kenoubi
I kind of hated the characters, which may have been the point, but which makes it difficult to like the book. There were also descriptive passages which I felt outlasted their usefulness, although this is probably true of the great majority of written fiction.
What I liked about this book was how
For an 88 year old book it has aged well; it's still quite readable and comprehensible. This edition also has sparse endnotes (this is a good thing) which were usually actually relevant.
What I liked about this book was how
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Fitzgerald would pick a psychological pattern and run with it. Many of these patterns were things I had recognized in my own life. There were a reasonable number of times when I would think "a-ha! I knew it would turn out that way!"For an 88 year old book it has aged well; it's still quite readable and comprehensible. This edition also has sparse endnotes (this is a good thing) which were usually actually relevant.
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LibraryThing member Spoerk
The only reason why I picked up The Beautiful and Damned was because I liked The Great Gatsby when I read it waaay back in 1997 at the beginning of my Sophomore year in high school.
It's the story of two people: Anthony and Gloria Patch, and, according to the little blurb on the back of my copy
I didn't like it.
Oh the first half of the book ('books' one and half of two) was wonderful. Man in his early twenties trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life until his grandfather dies so the young man won't have to worry about working ever, who has friends: one a writer, the other a very fop-like wannabe academic. Oh Anthony has "wacky" adventure trying not to fall in love with all those women that have nothing better to do than to go out dancing and then follow their date back to his apartment. And Gloria! The nineteen year old who is known "coast to coast" for her dancing and parties and anyone who is anyone wants to be with her. Truly, it was interesting. It felt real, maybe because I want to be out there dancing all night and not having to worry about working or settling down or how much money is in my bank account right now.
And the characters seemed interesting. Fitzgerald seemed interested in the characters he created and took the time to flesh them out. Getting inside the minds of Anthony and (to an extent) Gloria. I wanted them to be happy together, regardless of what the back cover told me.
Then the second half (the second part of 'book' two and three). Gah. What happened F. Scott? Just because their marriage gets stale because they don't *do* anything besides wait for old Grandfather Patch to keel over, does not excuse you, the author, from distancing yourself from the characters you seemed to care oh so much about just 100 pages before.
The second half moves quicker, years go by within 5 pages as opposed to the 2 years or so that the first half of the book comprises. Anthony, going into the army and falling apart. Gloria in the same time span but less written about her. Oh yes. When that blurb talked about "rapid dissolution," I didn't expect it to fall apart so neatly. I just seemed that at page 350, Fitzgerald realized, "Oh Crap. I still have to finish this don't I?" and then wrote another 100 pages.
From a literature major's point of view, this is a fun novel to think about. All those cat references, and talk about people's eyes. And he does have some pretty cool similes and metaphors. "With each sip [of the cocktail] [Gloria] approached a warm and comforting patriotism." Finding meta-humor about how hard it is to write a novel, and how all there is nowadays (well hisadays) is fluff. Etc. Etc.
But really, give me my "Minor Fitzgerald" any day.
It's the story of two people: Anthony and Gloria Patch, and, according to the little blurb on the back of my copy
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"traces the course . . . through romantic pursuits, early marriage, and rapid dissolution to the syncopated beat of the Jazz Age." Well then.I didn't like it.
Oh the first half of the book ('books' one and half of two) was wonderful. Man in his early twenties trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life until his grandfather dies so the young man won't have to worry about working ever, who has friends: one a writer, the other a very fop-like wannabe academic. Oh Anthony has "wacky" adventure trying not to fall in love with all those women that have nothing better to do than to go out dancing and then follow their date back to his apartment. And Gloria! The nineteen year old who is known "coast to coast" for her dancing and parties and anyone who is anyone wants to be with her. Truly, it was interesting. It felt real, maybe because I want to be out there dancing all night and not having to worry about working or settling down or how much money is in my bank account right now.
And the characters seemed interesting. Fitzgerald seemed interested in the characters he created and took the time to flesh them out. Getting inside the minds of Anthony and (to an extent) Gloria. I wanted them to be happy together, regardless of what the back cover told me.
Then the second half (the second part of 'book' two and three). Gah. What happened F. Scott? Just because their marriage gets stale because they don't *do* anything besides wait for old Grandfather Patch to keel over, does not excuse you, the author, from distancing yourself from the characters you seemed to care oh so much about just 100 pages before.
The second half moves quicker, years go by within 5 pages as opposed to the 2 years or so that the first half of the book comprises. Anthony, going into the army and falling apart. Gloria in the same time span but less written about her. Oh yes. When that blurb talked about "rapid dissolution," I didn't expect it to fall apart so neatly. I just seemed that at page 350, Fitzgerald realized, "Oh Crap. I still have to finish this don't I?" and then wrote another 100 pages.
From a literature major's point of view, this is a fun novel to think about. All those cat references, and talk about people's eyes. And he does have some pretty cool similes and metaphors. "With each sip [of the cocktail] [Gloria] approached a warm and comforting patriotism." Finding meta-humor about how hard it is to write a novel, and how all there is nowadays (well hisadays) is fluff. Etc. Etc.
But really, give me my "Minor Fitzgerald" any day.
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Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1922-03-01
Physical description
384 p.; 7.72 inches
ISBN
0141194073 / 9780141194073
Local notes
Anthony and Gloria are the essence of Jazz Age glamour. A brilliant and magnetic couple, they fling themselves at life with an energy that is thrilling. But as money becomes tight, their marriage becomes impossible. And with their inheritance still distant, Anthony and Gloria must grow up and face reality.
Part of the Penguin hardback Fitzgerald classics series.
Part of the Penguin hardback Fitzgerald classics series.