It's a stronger book, it has more depth and it displays Fitzgerald's full literary talent. At the same time, it's not as "American" because the book deals with expats in Europe (loosely based on Fitzgerald's life, of course). Also, because it's more autobiographical I think that it may be difficult for some readers to enjoy - the descent into madness of Zelda Fitzgerald is on display, and to some it might seem like airing dirty laundry in public.
I would still rank it as Fitzgerald's best, followed by Gatsby, followed by This Side of Paradise, with The Beautiful and Damned as his weakest effort. I don't consider The Love of the Last Tycoon because it was unfinished at the time of his death.
Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
- 18/05/2013 11:19:43 PM
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Hm. Having neither seen the movie nor read the book yet, I have a question...
- 19/05/2013 04:00:02 PM
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The 2013 movie has much the structure of the 1974 film (which review I linked to above)
- 20/05/2013 03:58:17 AM
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Alright, finished the book now, will probably go see the movie this week.
- 09/06/2013 09:53:07 PM
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I often find myself in the position of defending Fitzgerald from people who don't think him serious.
- 20/05/2013 05:15:22 PM
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I prefer Fitzgerald to Hemingway, among others
- 21/05/2013 07:36:20 PM
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Tender is the Night is certainly better.
- 22/05/2013 01:13:22 AM
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