F. Scott Fitzgerald

[thisislissa]

I assume most of us were forced to read The Great Gatsby in High School. It was one of my favorite obligatory reads back then though I can’t say I remember it too well now. . .

Recently I picked up The Beautiful and Damned and I’m really enjoying it. Its strange though, some of the best parts are when Fitzgerald puts his characters in these odd situations so that they can be mouthpieces for whatever idea he wants to expound on. I think this is usually considered a bad thing in writers (one imagines the writer briefly possessing the bewildered character like Mr. Smith in the Matrix). Still, what they say while possessed is so charmingly well put that it’s hard to object.

Anyone else reading Fitzgerald these days? What do you guys think?

[Walktherain]

I've only ever read the Great Gatsby and I liked it alot. If you like F.Scott you should really read John O'Hara. He's similar in style, but his novel Appointment in Samarra is way more interesting than The Great Gatsby.

[thisislissa]

Thanks Walktherain, I'll be sure to check that out.

[LittleWilma]

I didn't read The Great Gatsby in high school. I read it a few summers ago and the following year, my daughter was required to read it for high school English.

[Alexandra Bayer]

I'm reading it right now for school. I'm impressed by the vocabulary, but the story isn't too interesting as of yet.

[Titanoboa92]

I really enjoyed his writing style. Through his choice of words, I think he succeeded in making every moment important and interesting.

[amansmith]

The only book that I have read by him was The Great Gatsby in school and it just didn't catch my attention. Guess it wasn't really something I enjoyed reading.

[thsavage2]

I think The Great Gatsby is sort of overrated. It wasn't bad or anything, but it wasn't a very interesting read. I used it for an independent reading book in high school, and it was good for the one essay I needed to write. It's unfortunate that there isn't a really likable character, which I know isn't everything in a book, but even Nick got a bit whiny when I was really trying to root for him. There is good symbolism and characterization, just not an enjoyable read. Which may be part of the point, I suppose.

[thenameisZelda]

I adore The Great Gatsby. I've read it probably 8 times. I've seen two film adaptations of it (though I can't say I liked parts of the newest one.) I currently have This Side of Paradise, The Beautiful and the Damned, and Tender is the Night in my possession. I plan to read them all very soon.

[ladybug31]

I loved The Beautiful and the Damned. Haven't read This Side of Paradise yet, though. Also picked up Tender is the Night about a year ago and haven't gotten past the first chapter. The Beautiful and the Damned was good but, yes, I agree that he tended to use other characters as his mouthpiece. I also wasn't fond of how he painted his wife in that book (it was loosely based on his relationship with Zelda). She came off and shallow and vain to me. Just my opinion.

-- 26 Oct 2014, 23:58 --

I loved The Beautiful and the Damned. Haven't read This Side of Paradise yet, though. Also picked up Tender is the Night about a year ago and haven't gotten past the first chapter. The Beautiful and the Damned was good but, yes, I agree that he tended to use other characters as his mouthpiece. I also wasn't fond of how he painted his wife in that book (it was loosely based on his relationship with Zelda). She came off and shallow and vain to me. Just my opinion.

[fifthmayfly]

I haven't read The Great Gatsby yet, I just haven't had time to pick it up. Glad to see it's got a lot of recommendations from all of you

[krisliz88]

I have to say that I love how Fitzgerald can make each of his characters so relate-able. I feel as though he had a great gift when it came to character development. He was able to make you feel annoyance or empathy. You wanted to give Jay Gatsby a chance to prove himself because although he was shady he was somehow endearing. You felt bad for Nick in the sense that he was so desperate to fit in but in the same breath you would also become annoyed with him because he would lower the standards of the person he truly was.

Hands down, Fitzgerald was definitely a gifted author.

[skcasta+]

I bought a book of Fitzgerald's writings that contains many of his novels and short stories. I loved The Beautiful and the Damned, This Side of Paradise, Tender is the Night and other works. Two stories, I would call them novellas are The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and A Diamond as Big as the Ritz. I highly recommend reading more of Fitzgerald's work. The Great Gatsby is good, but don't limit yourself to that one!

[dpats24]

I read again for probably the twentieth time, The Love of the Last Tycoon over the summer as it was left in a cabin I rented. I find Fitzgerald can really bring that particular era to life. It's hard to imagine people living that lifestyle. And to think he produced all his works drunk. Currently I am reading the Paris Wife, which brings up the camaraderie between he and Hemingway.

[LivreAmour217]

I think The Great Gatsby is sort of overrated. It wasn't bad or anything, but it wasn't a very interesting read. I used it for an independent reading book in high school, and it was good for the one essay I needed to write. It's unfortunate that there isn't a really likable character, which I know isn't everything in a book, but even Nick got a bit whiny when I was really trying to root for him. There is good symbolism and characterization, just not an enjoyable read. Which may be part of the point, I suppose.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I could not relate to any of the characters and I didn't feel sorry for them one bit.
When I read a work of fiction, I want at least one or two characters that I can respect, if not like. Gatsby provided neither.