Scott Fitzgerald's "Babylon Revisited" is a poignant autobiographical tale that I will only comment on.

It has the authenticity of personal experience. Charlie, a former millionaire who was both enriched and ruined in the疯狂的股市漩涡 of the 1920s, returns to Paris to reclaim his daughter.

Charlie is a widower. His wife died almost because of him: he left her on a cold night in the street. Marion, the sister of his deceased wife, blames him, hates him, and has custody of his daughter.

The story tells of his attempts to regain her and at the same time shows the remnants of the profligate madness of the 1920s. The third-person narration is simple and direct, with a touch of poetry that would now be politically incorrect: "... he saw how Josefina Baker consumed her chocolate-colored arabesques."

There are abundant dialogues with some interspersed reflections: it could easily be turned into a small theatrical piece. Excellent.

With just 10 short stories, this anthology comprehensively covers F. Scott Fitzgerald’s life and career.

You can catch glimpses of his response to the real world through it. It ranges from the exciting days when the Jazz Age was emerging, the roaring 20s, to the post-crash aftermath. The predominant style is realism, with a touch of sentimentality.

Though their appeal may vary among different readers, each of these stories is remarkable in its own way. Many provided me with a peek into autobiographical elements or intense thematic concerns. They were all truly worth reading.

How so? Well, they’re worth summarizing.

“The Ice Place” (1920) is an engaging piece about a southern belle traveling north to be with her fiancé. It’s the perfect length for its intended purpose, and the setting is exquisitely described.

The near-novella “May Day” (1920) is a slice of life narrative about New York and the diverse people one might have encountered there just after the war and before the Jazz Age took off like a bottle rocket. It’s a good story with plenty of substance, but it can be difficult to finish in one sitting unless you’re in the right reading mood.

“The Diamond as Big as the Ritz” (1922) is a pure fantasy story that could be about achieving great success in the markets, being a robber baron, or simply being so wealthy that one is detached from even the life of the commonly wealthy. In any case, you can be sure it’s filled with classic Fitzgerald themes.

“Winter Dreams” (1922) is even more representative of Classic Fitzgerald Themes. Disillusionment takes a central role, and the characters are fairly well-developed. I really liked this one. It’s like a bleak early spring day in short story form.

Fitzgerald was not a Catholic. He was a WASP. Still, in “Absolution” (1924), he explores the Church to some extent and delves deeply into abusive father/son relationships.

“The Rich Boy” (1926) is a character study that focuses on the idea of perpetual loss caused by one’s own flaws and how one can find only partial consolation. It’s excellent.

“The Freshest Boy” (1928) concludes Scott’s Boy Duology with an even better character study that examines the outsider, resilience, disillusionment, and determination. Maybe one of the best pieces in the book.

The title story, “Babylon Revisited” (1931), is extremely engaging and of almost ideal length. Hinting perfectly at dissipation, its main theme, this affective, regretful story follows a reformed American in Paris.

“Crazy Sunday” (1932) takes Scott away from his favorite setting, the East Coast, to follow Joel Cole, a continuity writer in California dealing with an old flame, the boss who married her, his job, and the temptations of society, alcohol, and sex.

“The Long Way Out” (1937) is a sad and very short story about a wife in a sanitarium. Is it autobiographical? I recommend you read it and find out for yourself.

All in all, these are 10 excellent short stories. You might be inclined to say the latter half is darker and more ambiguous than the former, but that’s not entirely true.

The main themes are money, alcohol, and society, roughly in that order. In terms of setting, there are many boarding school stories (which kind of reminded me of Owen Meany), a lot of New York/Northeast America, and a surprising amount of Midwest meanderings.

It’s very likely that only some of the stories will resonate with you, but stick with this book. At least one of the stories will stay with you for a while, and they’re great period pieces, like faded photographs from a long-gone era or some kind of crazy wallpaper that’s been painted over a hundred times.

Not perfect, but definitely worth reading.

I had an amazing discovery today at Babbo's Books. I found a 1960 school-bound edition that was stamped by Framingham High School. (Sorry, Massachusetts!) Actually, I can't really say that I found it myself. The owner's mom, Louise, dug it up for me when I was searching for Gatsby. But if you insist, I'll take the credit! Louise and I had a great conversation about how much we love the title story. She also told me that her absolute favorite was "The Rich Boy." Well, now I'm really looking forward to reading it. I can't wait to explore the world that F. Scott Fitzgerald has created in these stories. Maybe I'll gain some new insights and perspectives. I'm sure it's going to be a wonderful reading experience.

I can't seem to locate my precise copy of the book I bought from Half Priced Books. So, I'll simply assert that I'm reading the same one that Jamie read.

This book is extremely old. It has a distinct odor that reminds me of 1955, and the pages have turned a rather unappealing sickly yellow-brown color. Nevertheless, I can't wait to delve into the stories, of course.

Surprisingly, despite the rather off-putting smell, the book managed to wear me down by the halfway point. If nothing else, it serves as a timeline of Fitzgerald's own life, and the amount of autobiographical elements that one can extract from each story is truly immense.

More or less following a chronological order, the beginning traces a plethora of lively old cocktail parties and debutante balls, along with all the glitz and glamour of the Roaring 20s that one could handle. Each tale leaves me longing for a highball, as the characters' predicaments are just absurd enough, and their handling is a strange mix of being both lovable and detestable.

As we move through the Depression era, his stories become increasingly cloaked, or perhaps I should say soaked, in the author's own alcoholism. You get the sense that you're reading about the same dashing young men from the Yale club on page 60, but now, on page 400, they're weeping into their soda water in some hazy French bar over the millions they've lost.

All in all, this book provides a perfect snapshot of the author's life, warts and all.

"Return to Babylon and Other Stories" is a small-sized book that is easy to carry around. It can be taken anywhere and is convenient to pick up and read to kill time during breaks, while waiting for something, or when traveling. The white cover is inviting, and the interior is neatly laid out. It is a small book that, when opened, one can feel the intention of the designer.

"Return to Babylon and Other Stories" consists of three short stories. Each story has an average length of about 50 pages. "The Ice Palace" is the first story and is probably the one I like the most. The plot tells the life of Sally Carroll, a southern girl who wants to leave her boring hometown and go elsewhere for a better life. However, she finds that the north where she intends to settle down is not what she expected.

"Winter Dream" is the story of a young man who transforms himself from a caddie to a successful businessman with the goal of winning the heart of a noble girl he has a crush on. And finally, in "Babylon Revisited", Charlie returns to Paris to visit his daughter in the city that both entertained and destroyed his life. He wants to atone for the sins he has committed, but he also has to face the past that haunts him.

These three stories have different themes to convey. For example, in "The Ice Palace", Fitzgerald describes the strange and unique feelings of the characters when they live in a different place in detail and deeply. It is not just a matter of familiarity, but the difference is the result of the geography. Just like in Thailand, people in the north and south have different personalities and ways of speaking. In this story, the cold also changes the perspective of the residents, changing the warm and passionate heart to a calm and quiet one (reminds me of the short story "The Ice Man" in Haruki Murakami's "The Little Green Monster from Singleton").

Fitzgerald has conveyed these in the three short stories, reflecting dreams, aspirations, and disappointments. If anyone likes his writing style from "The Great Gatsby" and wants to get to know Fitzgerald better, they can find and read this book.

3,5 Sterne
Some stories are truly magnificent, while others, unfortunately, are not.

There are those tales that have the power to transport us to different worlds, to make us feel a gamut of emotions, from joy to sorrow. They are like precious gems that shine brightly in the literary landscape.

However, not every story can achieve such heights. Some may lack depth, have a convoluted plot that confuses rather than engages, or characters that fail to come alive on the page.

It's a bittersweet reality that in the vast ocean of literature, we encounter both the pearls and the pebbles. But it's precisely this mix that makes the search for that perfect story all the more exciting and worthwhile.

Whether it's a 3-star or a 5-star story, each one has something to teach us about the art of storytelling and about ourselves as readers.

BABYLON REVISITED AND OTHER STORIES is truly a remarkable collection that can be regarded as Fitzgerald's Greatest Hits package. It was精心 packaged in 1960 with the intention of reminding the populace of the sheer greatness of F. Scott's writing. This collection gathers ten stories, many of which are among his very best. The title story has always held a special place in my heart. It is about a man who is striving to put the pieces of his life back together after the excesses of his youth have come crashing down on him.

Conversely, "The Rich Boy" vividly dramatizes that precise moment when the excesses of youth collide with the unyielding brick wall. "Absolution" was originally meant to be the prologue to THE GREAT GATSBY, and we should be grateful to Scott for choosing to delete it. There is a certain sameness to these stories, with Yalies and prep school boys engaging in drinking, carousing, and misunderstanding women. However, there is also a strong sense of verisimilitude. You can clearly sense that Fitzgerald is writing about real people and a world that truly existed, whether for good or for ill.

An odd exception is "THE FRESHEST BOY," in which the prep school kid has to deal with his drunken teacher. Some of these stories may be forgettable, but others, especially "Winter Dreams," are haunting and stay with you long after you've finished reading. Hemingway and Fitzgerald were contemporaries and shared the same editor in Maxwell Perkins. Their stories couldn't be more different stylistically, yet when read together, they展现 a society torn apart by World War, presenting two perspectives, from two different strata of society, on the same cataclysm. Fitzgerald's stories, like ernie's, have a certain allure that leaves you longing to read more.

I think I really like F. Scott Fitzgerald after all. His works have a certain charm that keeps pulling me in. The way he describes the characters and their emotions is so vivid and细腻. It's as if I can see them right in front of my eyes, experiencing their joys and sorrows. His novels are not just stories, but also a reflection of the society and the times he lived in. Through his writing, I can gain a deeper understanding of that era.

Moreover, Fitzgerald's writing style is unique. His use of language is beautiful and poetic, making his works a pleasure to read. Every sentence seems to be carefully crafted, and the overall rhythm and flow of the text are very engaging. I find myself getting lost in his words, completely immersed in the world he has created.

In conclusion, I have developed a genuine appreciation for F. Scott Fitzgerald and his works. I look forward to reading more of his books and exploring the wonderful world of his literature.

Every single short story in this collection seemed like the same take on Jazz Age debauchery and the resulting depression and fall of people involved.

It felt as if Fitzgerald was constantly repeating the same theme, which made it a bit tiresome after a while. I think I'm just not a big fan of the roaring 20s setting that he writes so much about here.

The glitz and glamour of that era, along with its excesses, didn't really appeal to me. However, that being said, May Day was my favorite short story in the collection.

It had a certain energy and momentum that kept me engaged from start to finish. On the other hand, Absolution was the worst.

It just didn't seem to have the same spark or interest as the other stories. Overall, while the collection had its moments, it wasn't something that I would highly recommend.

Maybe if I was more into the Jazz Age and its culture, I would have enjoyed it more. But as it stands, it was just an average read for me.

It is truly wonderful to go back and read these again!

Revisiting old texts can bring a plethora of emotions and insights.

Each time we read, we may notice different details, gain new perspectives, or simply be reminded of the power of the written word.

Whether it's a favorite book, a cherished poem, or an old journal entry, the act of rereading can be a deeply fulfilling experience.

It allows us to reconnect with our past selves, remember the moments that mattered, and perhaps even find inspiration for the future.

So, take the time to go back and read those old favorites again. You might be surprised at what you discover!

I have an intense love for Fitzgerald's prose.

His writing has an extraordinary ability to capture a very specific and unique atmosphere of America.

At the core of his works, he vividly portrays the issue of wealth inequality in our society, which, unfortunately, has only deteriorated further since the time he wrote.

"May Day" is truly a breathtaking piece of work. Its structure and flow are so seamless that it almost feels like a cinematic experience.

Fitzgerald is undoubtedly a true master of his craft, able to transport readers into a world that is both beautiful and deeply flawed, making us reflect on the state of our own society.

His works will continue to be relevant and captivating for generations to come.

Fitzgerald's writing is truly remarkable. He has a clarity of voice and mind that enables him to create elegant emotional portraits from relatively straightforward ideas. Just like in "Gatsby", his work has a distinct energy. It's a heady combination of the convivial vigor of the Roaring 20s and a more contemplative, almost existential self-reflection.

As with any collection, the quality of the stories varies. However, the dominant characteristic is one of charm, wit, and of course, his trademark sense of wistfulness. "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" was my personal favorite story. In fact, I firmly believe this one has the potential to be made into a modern film. Each story, though, has its own unique delights.

The quotes provided add an extra layer of depth to his writing. The first quote speaks to the fleeting nature of those precious moments when people are most vulnerable and receptive. We often don't realize these moments until it's too late.

The second quote shows how Fitzgerald was able to capture the essence of life. Even though the characters in his stories may seem to have everything at their feet, he understood that life is a struggle for everyone. It can appear magnificent from a distance, but up close, it's always difficult, surprisingly simple, and a little bit sad.

Fitzgerald's writing continues to captivate readers and inspire new generations of writers. His ability to create vivid characters and tell engaging stories is a testament to his talent as a writer.