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Babylon Revisited

f. scott fitzgerald george guidall

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8 Cassettes 11 hours

0 pages, Audio Cassette

First published February 21,1931

This edition

Format
0 pages, Audio Cassette
Published
March 1, 1997 by Recorded Books Inc.
ISBN
9780788708725
ASIN
0788708724
Language
English

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About the author

Profile Image for f. scott fitzgerald

f. scott fitzgerald

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Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, widely known simply as Scott Fitzgerald, was an American novelist, essayist, and short story writer. He is best known for his novels depicting the flamboyance and excess of the Jazz Age, a term he popularized in his short story collection Tales of the Jazz Age. During his lifetime, he published four novels, four story collections, and 164 short stories. Although he achieved temporary popular success and fortune in the 1920s, Fitzgerald received critical acclaim only after his death and is now widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century.
Born into a middle-class family in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Fitzgerald was raised primarily in New York state. He attended Princeton University where he befriended future literary critic Edmund Wilson. Owing to a failed romantic relationship with Chicago socialite Ginevra King, he dropped out in 1917 to join the United States Army during World War I. While stationed in Alabama, he met Zelda Sayre, a Southern debutante who belonged to Montgomery's exclusive country-club set. Although she initially rejected Fitzgerald's marriage proposal due to his lack of financial prospects, Zelda agreed to marry him after he published the commercially successful This Side of Paradise (1920). The novel became a cultural sensation and cemented his reputation as one of the eminent writers of the decade.
His second novel, The Beautiful and Damned (1922), propelled him further into the cultural elite. To maintain his affluent lifestyle, he wrote numerous stories for popular magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, Collier's Weekly, and Esquire. During this period, Fitzgerald frequented Europe, where he befriended modernist writers and artists of the "Lost Generation" expatriate community, including Ernest Hemingway. His third novel, The Great Gatsby (1925), received generally favorable reviews but was a commercial failure, selling fewer than 23,000 copies in its first year. Despite its lackluster debut, The Great Gatsby is now hailed by some literary critics as the "Great American Novel". Following the deterioration of his wife's mental health and her placement in a mental institute for schizophrenia, Fitzgerald completed his final novel, Tender Is the Night (1934).
Struggling financially because of the declining popularity of his works during the Great Depression, Fitzgerald moved to Hollywood, where he embarked upon an unsuccessful career as a screenwriter. While living in Hollywood, he cohabited with columnist Sheilah Graham, his final companion before his death. After a long struggle with alcoholism, he attained sobriety only to die of a heart attack in 1940, at 44. His friend Edmund Wilson edited and published an unfinished fifth novel, The Last Tycoon (1941), after Fitzgerald's death. In 1993, a new edition was published as The Love of the Last Tycoon, edited by Matthew J. Bruccoli.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
37(37%)
4 stars
34(34%)
3 stars
29(29%)
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Profile Image for Kimberly .
Version3
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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**Original Article**: This is a short article. It needs to be rewritten and expanded.

**Expanded Article**:

This is a rather concise article. It indeed requires some rewriting and expansion. The current state of the article is quite basic and lacks detailed information. By rewriting it, we can enhance its clarity and comprehensiveness. Expansion will involve adding more specific details, examples, and explanations. This will make the article more engaging and useful for the readers. We need to carefully analyze the main points of the original article and think about how to develop them further. With proper rewriting and expansion, the article can become a more valuable piece of writing.

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Gantle
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Fitzgerald's short story "Babylon Revisited" delves deep into the complex psyche of Charles Wales.

He is an American who once indulged in the wild and extravagant lifestyle of the Roaring Twenties in Paris. Now, in 1931, he is on a quest to regain custody of his daughter.

The story makes us wonder if he can truly reverse the consequences of his boisterous and eccentric ways.

With the advent of the Great Depression, the glamorous façade of the nouveau riche has crumbled, leaving behind a trail of financial and emotional ruin.

The title of the short story is highly appropriate. Paris is like Babylon to Charles Wales (and perhaps to Fitzgerald himself), a place of opulence yet rife with moral decay and wickedness.

I am truly captivated by Fitzgerald's immersive writing style. His stories are not only timeless classics in terms of their content but also in their beautiful and evocative wording. It's an easy 5-star rating for me!

Don't forget to find me on Instagram at https://instagram.com/nilguen_reads.
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Miyamoto0Musashi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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“Babylon Revisited” is a petite book that consists of short stories centered around the theme of loss.

In this volume, there are three short stories - “Babylon Revisited”, “The Cut Glass Bowl”, and “The Lost Decade.”

The first story is about a father who, after making numerous mistakes, endeavors to redeem himself for the sake of his daughter.

The second story is about a woman who, once having no other concern than suitors, finds herself descending deeper and deeper into the wretchedness of an unfulfilling life.

The third story is about an alcoholic who forfeited 10 years of his life due to his addiction.

In the typical Fitzgeraldian style, there is a pervading sense of melancholy and regret in each of the stories, which I truly relished.

I also greatly appreciated the insight into American life during the 1930s. Fitzgerald has a remarkable ability to depict the ordinary in a profoundly sad and poignant manner.

I enjoyed this collection of short stories, yet I felt that it was lacking that certain extra element to make me truly adore it. Despite the vivid and descriptive writing and the portrayal of very unfortunate events, I still experienced a certain detachment that I struggle to explain.

Nonetheless, I still recommend it as it is exquisitely written and, I believe, highly representative of Fitzgerald’s unique style.

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ioisro
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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F Scott Fitzgerald's writing is consistently marred by misogyny. He makes the assumption that women must be beautiful, yet at the same time, he blames beautiful women for all the suffering of men. This is a deeply flawed and unfair perspective. Additionally, his work often glorifies alcoholism, presenting it as something glamorous or desirable.

These themes are evident in his stories, which unfortunately follow this pattern. However, on a positive note, the stories are mercifully brief. This means that while the reader may be exposed to these unappealing ideas, they don't have to endure them for an overly long period of time.

Despite these flaws, Fitzgerald's writing is still widely studied and admired for its literary merit. His use of language and his ability to create vivid characters and settings are undeniable. However, it's important to also recognize and critique the negative aspects of his work, especially when it comes to his treatment of women and his glorification of alcoholism.
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Melonada
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Though the label says 'Short Stories', it should actually be 'Short Story' as this particular volume contains only one story. It was given to me by a friend who got it for free from some newspaper.

However, upon closer inspection, it turns out that it has three stories in it! And all three are really quite brilliant. I deducted a star for the last one, 'The Lost Decade', due to what I felt was underdevelopment. The title story was excellent. It's about a former drunk and widower in Paris who attempts to regain custody of his daughter from his sister-in-law and her husband. The dialogue sequences with the daughter are marvellous, showing great insight and reminding me of Salinger's later stories about children, like the one about the Bananafish. The second story, 'The Cut Glass Bowl', was also a gem, although perhaps a bit contrived. The bowl given to the heroine by a spurned lover shows up in crucial ways at turning points in her life.

I'm definitely going to get more of this series. I had to go into the hospital for a minor (but embarrassing) procedure, and these books fit perfectly in my dressing gown pocket. They provided great entertainment during my stay.
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Venucurius
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I mean, I really should've known that it would be a depressing read because it's Fitzgerald. His works are often known for their exploration of the darker side of human nature and the disappointments of life.

But geez, this particular piece was really sad. It delved deep into the emotions and experiences that can bring a person down.

The way Fitzgerald described the characters and their situations made it feel so real and palpable. You could almost feel the pain and sorrow that they were going through.

It's one of those stories that really makes you think about life and all its hardships. It's not an easy read, but it's definitely a powerful one.

Despite the sadness, there is also a certain beauty in the way Fitzgerald writes. His prose is so elegant and descriptive that it draws you in and keeps you hooked until the very end.

Overall, it was a bittersweet experience reading this, but one that I'm glad I had. It made me appreciate the power of literature to evoke such strong emotions and make us think about the world around us.
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jojohater97
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A collection of three short stories with diverse themes has been presented.

The second short story within this collection truly captured my interest and was the one I enjoyed the most. It had a unique charm and engaging plot that kept me hooked from start to finish.

However, the last short story did not quite have the same appeal for me. It failed to resonate as strongly, and I found myself not particularly enjoying it.

Despite this, the book as a whole is still a great little find. It offers a range of stories that can satisfy different tastes and preferences. It is well-written and the author has managed to create distinct worlds and characters within each story.

Overall, it is well worth a read, especially for those who enjoy short stories and are looking for something new and different to explore.
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Iaced
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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**"Fitzgerald's Tales: A Mixed Bag of Emotions"**

"Babylon Revisited" presents a complex story. A man loved his wife, but after her death, he turned to drinking and had to give his daughter to his wife's sister for upbringing. After a long time of drinking, he came to his senses and decided to take back his daughter. However, I find it hard to understand the main character's feelings as I firmly side with the sister of the deceased wife. His attempts and statements seem rather unsure. It's strange that he thinks he can take on the responsibility of the child when he has only stepped out of the darkness with one foot.




"The Lost Decade" is a tiny story, just a few pages long, but it contains so much meaning and is such a powerful history. I've read a lot about the period described by Fitzgerald, and in my opinion, this is one of the best works about the "lost generation".




"The Cut-Glass Bowl" made me question myself again. I deliberately arranged my mini-reviews in ascending order, not as they are in the book. This story made me wonder if Fitzgerald is really my writer. Maybe I should discard my previous impressions and start getting to know his work from scratch. Oh, the sharp phrases, the amazing descriptions and comparisons! And despite the sprinkles of sparkling humor, there is such a terrible truth and a poignant and sad ending. May we all have a peaceful sky.




Overall, I rate these stories 8 out of 10.
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