Goodness.

What a remarkable collection of short stories this is!

The paperback edition itself is also quite striking. I must admit that it was indeed the appearance of the book that initially caught my attention.

The stories within are a diverse range of literary gems.

Some are gorgeous, with their lush descriptions and vivid imagery that paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

Others are rich, delving deep into the human psyche and exploring complex emotions and themes.

There are also stories that are more muted, yet still manage to convey a sense of quiet power and understated beauty.

Their evocative nature draws the reader in and makes them feel as if they are a part of the story.

At times, the stories are fine, with their elegant prose and masterful storytelling.

However, they can also be disquieting, leaving the reader with a sense of unease and a lingering thought.

Overall, this collection of short stories is a must-read for anyone who appreciates good literature.

This is definitely my favorite work of Fitzgerald's - "Babylon Revisited". I can not possibly comprehend how this is not his most popular. The story is a masterpiece that delves deep into the human psyche and the consequences of past actions. It is a poignant and powerful tale that explores themes of regret, redemption, and the fleeting nature of happiness.

Fitzgerald's writing is as beautiful as ever, with his vivid descriptions and lyrical prose painting a vivid picture of the characters and their world. The story is set in Paris in the 1930s, a time of decadence and excess, and Fitzgerald captures the atmosphere of the city perfectly.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves great literature. It is a must-read for fans of Fitzgerald and anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking and emotionally engaging story. So, if you haven't read "Babylon Revisited" yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up today.

The Fitzgerald short stories in this collection were carefully chosen long after Fitzgerald's passing. As a result, they don't mirror a specific period in his life or career. In fact, the very first story, "The Ice Palace," was penned in 1920, well before "Gatsby" was written. And the last three stories, "Babylon Revisited," "Crazy Sunday," and "The Long Way Out," were written in 1931, 1932, and 1937 respectively. This was after the Roaring Twenties, which are so closely linked to Fitzgerald, after America's Great Depression, and also after Fitzgerald and his wife had lost their battle against the demons in their lives.

"Babylon Revisited" is one of my all-time favorite short stories. Charlie travels to Paris to see his daughter, who is living with his sister and brother-in-law. As the account of his visit unfolds, the reader discovers that Charlie and his wife lived extravagantly in the excesses of 1920s Paris. Charlie lost his fortune, his wife lost her life, and he lost custody of his daughter to his sister-in-law, who clearly detests him. As the story progresses, we learn that his daughter loves him dearly, that he has turned his life around, is sober, and has regained much of his fortune. However, he is still struggling with temptations from his past.

This story provides as vivid a portrayal of regrets for past mistakes while engaged in a difficult struggle for redemption as I have ever read. This is evident from the following excerpt when he visits an old haunt of his excesses shortly after having dinner with his daughter. "..All the catering to vice and waste was on an utterly childish scale, and he suddenly realized the meaning of 'dissipate' - to dissipate into thin air, to make nothing out of something. In the little hours of the night every move from place to place was an enormous human jump, an increase of paying for the privilege of slower and slower motion. He remembered thousand franc notes given to an orchestra for playing a single number, hundred franc notes tossed to a doorman for calling a cab. But it hadn't been for nothing. It had been given, even the most wildly squandered sum, as an offering to destiny that he might not remember the things most worth remembering, the things that now he would always remember - his child taken from his control, his wife escaped to a grave in Vermont."

While this is my favorite in the collection, the other nine stories are also excellent. The appeal of this collection lies in following the development of Fitzgerald's writing, from a 1920 story about the tension between the laid-back South and the ambitious North, to stories set in the midst of the Roaring Twenties, and finally to the last three that were written and set in a time after the Roaring Twenties came to a crashing end.

He wasn't young anymore. He had a plethora of nice thoughts and dreams that he held dear to himself.

As Fitzgerald's earliest and most popular short story collections, such as "Tales of the Jazz Age" and "Flappers and Philosophers", pointed out, poked fun at, and even reveled in the frivolity that was characteristic of the 1920s, this collection shows an obvious tonal shift. This tonal shift, at least for me, not only showcases his range but also emphasizes his remarkable powers of observation.

"Babylon Revisited and Other Stories" is not only somber in tone but also reflective, exuding a sense of tired maturity. The collection features characters who have not only survived the hectic blowout of the 20s but have emerged changed and even hurt. They often look back through the lenses of melancholy, attempting to figure out what they have lost along the way. However, among these stories of past reflection are also those that herald the beginning of a new age, tales that tell of the slow corrosion of societal prejudices or the booming might of the film industry.

Out of all his short story collections, this was the one that I devoured quickly. No word or phrase was wasted. I was hungry for a new story with each one I had finished. Fitzgerald does it again, captivating readers with his masterful storytelling.

"I'm not used to being loved. I wouldn't know what to do; I never got the trick of it."

This edition by Alma Classics, despite sharing the same title, is in fact a distinct selection of short stories. Out of the ten pieces, only two were originally included in "Babylon Revisited and Other Stories". It is an uneven collection, to be sure. However, Fitzgerald possesses such an elegant and high-class style that even those stories which might not be inherently particularly memorable become an absolute delight to read. His prose is like a fine wine, smooth and rich, captivating the reader from the very first sentence. Each word seems carefully chosen, and the overall effect is one of sophistication and charm. Even when the plot may not be the most engaging, Fitzgerald's writing style elevates the stories to a higher level, making them a pleasure to experience.

No more than 3.5*

This collection clearly showcases Fitzgerald's prowess as a master of the short story. He wasn't merely renowned during the peak of the genre's popularity; he actively enhanced the readership.

Unlike many anthologies, there are very few lackluster pieces here. In fact, there's really only one that didn't quite resonate with me, which was Absolution. Every other story is solid, and there are even a few true gems.

It's also remarkable that all of these stories have actual, well-structured plots, complete with a beginning, middle, and end. (Personally, unless a story is just a few pages long, I prefer a short story to have a proper plot.) His characters are all vividly and distinctively drawn.

With the exception of the fantastical diamond tale and the darkly humorous May Day, the stories are highly realistic and read very much like his novels. In fact, almost all of them could be expanded and fleshed out into a full-length book if one so desired.

The majority of the stories span many years and present our characters looking back on their earlier days with a mix of nostalgia and/or regret.

Some of the highlights include Winter Dreams, Babylon Revisited, and Crazy Sunday. I highly recommend the latter two and would love to reread them and perhaps conduct some analysis.

A Diamond as Big as the Ritz is also extremely memorable, especially since it's completely different from anything else of Fitzgerald's that I'm familiar with. It's a tall-tale-like commentary on wealth, and I can understand why it's a popular choice in English classes.

I read a chapter here or there over the course of a month while also reading other things. I estimate this collection to be about a 6.5-hour read, with most stories taking around 30 minutes each. I rated each story at the beginning for future reference. The Kindle edition was very well formatted.

I would definitely recommend this collection to people who enjoy short stories, especially those interested in the four stories noted above.

“The Ice Palace” was a captivating play that delved into the cultural differences between the north and the south. While serving in the Dominican Republic with the Peace Corps and reading this, it made me reflect on how effortlessly the story could be shared between a Dominican and an American. It highlights the potential misunderstandings and discoveries that can occur when two cultures interact.

“May Day” piqued my interest as I have a keen desire to understand more about Socialism and the sentiments surrounding it in the US during that era. Additionally, it赋予了Fitzgerald’s一贯对富人写作的兴趣以政治意义. However, the various characters seemed to loop in and out of each other’s lives without leaving a lasting impact, which was perhaps the intended point of the story, yet it was rather depressing. After all, humans yearn for connection, and the lack thereof might explain why Fitzgerald chose to end the story with a suicide.

“The Diamond as Big as the Ritz” once again showcases Fitzgerald’s association of the rich with thoughtless killing and a sense of entitlement. This wealthy family even keeps slaves. What makes this story fascinating is the Sermon on the Mount scene where the family head actually confronts God, offering a bribe and assuming God has a price that can be met. This is the most blatant a-religious imagery I’ve witnessed from Fitzgerald to depict the rich.

“Winter Dreams” appears to be more about relationships, with a touch of the idea of the posh girl and the hard-working boy who achieved wealth on his own. I unexpectedly enjoyed this one, especially considering how it began. The ending shatters the fantasy suggested by the beginning and presents a very sad truth, which might resonate with the cynics among us.

“Absolution” offers a commentary on religion and how people require a bit of beauty and hope, not just fear, to drive them forward in life. It emphasizes the importance of finding inspiration and light in the face of darkness.

“The Rich Boy” spans from his childhood to the age of 30, giving it the feel of a small novel rather than a short story. It returns to the theme of the rich culture, entitlement, and pride, particularly as seen through the lens of his relationships. It provides an in-depth exploration of the mindset and experiences of those in the upper echelons of society.

“The Freshest Boy” is a bittersweet tale of an outcast who eventually discovers a way to succeed. The painful line, “It isn’t given to us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal,” adds a poignant touch to the story, highlighting the fragility of human connections.

“Babylon Revisited” is an incredibly tragic and sad story. It follows a man who is attempting to make amends for his drunken past in Paris during the boom years. It showcases the consequences of his actions and his struggle to find redemption.

“Crazy Sunday” is about working as a writer in Hollywood. The work schedule is vastly different from the days in Paris, with a frenzy of work until Sunday. This story focuses on a writer’s relationship with a director’s wife, exploring the complex dynamics and emotions that can arise in such a situation.

“The Long Way Out” is a very sad story that concludes the collection. It shares the same bittersweet sadness as “Babylon Revisited” and has a similarity to the intense love between husband and wife seen in “Crazy Sunday.” It leaves the reader with a sense of melancholy and a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and love.

I just have to say, I love Fitzgerald the person. With all his faults, foibles, and brilliance, he holds a special place in my heart in a way that feels deeply personal and almost indescribable. But I also have to admit that his writing can be quite uneven at times. Of course, there's "The Great Gatsby." There's no doubt it's one of the greatest books. Period. End of story. Hemingway, eat your heart out.

However, when it comes to his fictional output as a whole, I think there are a lot of ups and downs. "The Great Gatsby" stands as a shining beacon, a true triumph. "Tender is the Night" captivated me for an entire afternoon in a pizza shop when I was in high school. But to be honest, I can't really recall the first thing about it. I've always meant to re-read it. "This Side of Paradise" was really fun when I read it as a young person, which is probably the best time to read it. But when I tried to look it over again, I was like, "What?"

Then there are the stories. I recently wrote about "The Great Gatsby" on https://thebaffler.com/latest/gatsbys...

And I decided to give this little dozen-story collection a try again. I had read some of them many years ago and thought it would be worth another go.

You can really see Fitzgerald improving over the years. The first stories are from the early 1920s when he was just burning with passion and churning out work on his way to literary immortality, one cigarette and martini at a time. As the years and his disillusionment progressed, the stories became more profound, with wider canvases and more interesting characters.

It's important to remember that his career skyrocketed to superstardom early on and then steadily plummeted. By the time he died, he thought of himself as a drunken failure who would be forgotten. Ironically, his writing just kept getting better and better. I wonder how he would feel if he could see the way he's venerated today, and how obviously he's assumed to be great, both for his famously fabulous Lost Generation and in the general pantheon of American writers.

That posthumous greatness is bittersweet. It represents everything he ever hoped for, but it came after he got everything he ever wanted and thought he'd lost forever.

Here's my quick and dirty take on each of the stories:

"The Ice Palace": Meh, it felt a bit labored and conceptual. I'm not entirely convinced that he really understood the Deep South setting. The eponymous palace was fairly convincing at times, though, and there were some nice moments of suspense. Maybe it just went over better with Saturday Evening Post readers. You get the sense that Fitzgerald was getting a little too full of himself.

"May Day": This was a big improvement in terms of writing that felt more lived-in and vivid. He was writing more clearly about what he knew, the drink-sodden screwups in the Ivy League set. The story had a larger canvas, with lots of small but pointed moments between very disparate groups of people. However, he didn't really seem to understand some of the historical gravitas of that day. The ending was a bit rushed, and you could tell that he sort of ran out of narrative steam and decided to end it with a flourish. Again, he was probably playing to the readership that was paying his bills, and I don't hold that against him.

"The Diamond As Big As The Ritz": This one really surprised me. I remember being blown away by it when I read it in the high school library. It was kind of surreal, with an elaborate imagination and a very cinematic feel. There was a more sarcastic sense of social critique. I mean, really, the guy's family lives in a house that's a diamond in a mountain? What? And the pilots stuck in the crevice were kind of weird. It was wild, almost sci-fi, and I didn't expect it to be so strange.

"Winter Dreams": Another story that I remember really affecting me when I read it in English class. The teacher with the famously squeaky voice seemed kind of caught up in the poignancy of the story when he was teaching it to a bunch of bored sophomores in a mid-level English class. I like the premise of remembering old relationships that could have gone another way. I think it might have more potential if I re-read it. The ending was intended to be almost a soliloquy for the main character, but it rang a bit hollow. People just don't talk like that, that grandiosely, even in the twenties. It was a little too obvious how this person was trying to explain how he felt, and it made the first-person character sound like an omniscient narrator.

"Absolution": It was once intended to be part of "The Great Gatsby" as Gatsby's backstory, which is kind of interesting. However, it was a little too blatantly allegorical and even a bit creepy. A priest babbling incoherently about guilt and avoiding sin to an emotional and ambitious young man? Hmm. It was probably better to cut it and let it stand on its own.

"The Rich Boy": This is more of a novella than a story. I wonder if the lit magazines had really small print back in the day or something. It was hundreds of pages long! I guess two editions of Redbook were enough to do the trick.

Here's what one of the Fitzgerald scholars said about the story, which I saw on Wiki and I think is pretty spot-on: "'The Rich Boy' is a key document for understanding Fitzgerald's much-discussed and much-misunderstood attitudes toward the rich. He was not an envious admirer of the rich, who believed they possessed a special quality. In 1938 he observed: 'That was always my experience—a poor boy in a rich town; a poor boy in a rich boy's school; a poor boy in a rich man's club at Princeton...I have never been able to forgive the rich for being rich, and it has colored my entire life and works.' He knew the lives of the rich had great possibilities, but he recognized that they mostly failed to use those possibilities fully. He also perceived that money corrupts the will to excellence. Believing that work is the only dignity, he condemned the self-indulgent rich for wasting their freedom."

Here's the often-misquoted and drastically shortened line about the rich being very different from you and me:

"Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me. They possess and enjoy early, and it does something to them, makes them soft where we are hard, and cynical where we are trustful, in a way that, unless you were born rich, it is very difficult to understand. They think, deep in their hearts, that they are better than we are because we had to discover the compensations and refuges of life for ourselves."

Today, we'd probably talk about entitlement and toxic masculinity, which would be totally appropriate to apply to this story. And the satirical, precise, and fiercely observed class distinctions are definitely there. That's something Fitzgerald doesn't always get as much credit for as he deserves, since he tended to play the fop.

"The Freshest Boy": This was a surprisingly detailed and sensitive character study of an insecure college kid. I didn't realize I would be as touched as I was by the end. Some people really do need the smallest things to get through life. "It isn't given to us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world. They will not be cured by our most efficacious drugs or slain with our sharpest swords."

"Babylon Revisited": This one was kind of a letdown for me. I'm not a big fan of stories that are structured as a series of conversations and that flit around from place to place.

"Crazy Sunday": This was a real gem. It gave a little glimpse into the intimate side of Hollywood, with all its shady resentments, subtle backbiting, careerism, and the way people with real possibilities for advancement use and are used by each other. People love to want to be one of the beautiful people, but the beautiful people aren't always all they're cracked up to be.

"The Long Way Out": Another gem. This was a compact, tightly controlled story about willful delusion and the need to sustain it. It can't be a coincidence that it's about someone who's gone off the rails, which Fitzgerald knew all too well from both inside and outside, and about how the people around her deal with and sustain her delusions. By that point, in 1937, he'd hit enough bumps in the road to know something about the beauty and the price of delusions.

Well crafted story of a man who cannot entirely escape his past.

He had a remarkable success on the stock market, which led him and his wife to come to Paris and live a life filled with excessive drinking, wild partying, and treating each other cruelly.

We are introduced to him at the beginning of the story as an older man. His wife has passed away, and his daughter is being cared for by his sister-in-law, who has become her legal guardian.

He has returned to Paris as a new man, determined to reclaim his daughter. Now, he drinks only one drink per day and earns more money than he did when he was wealthy before.

However, as the story gradually unfolds, his past starts to haunt him. Unexpectedly, his old drunken friends show up on the very night he and his sister-in-law are about to complete their agreement for him to take possession of his daughter. It is evident that he loves his daughter deeply and wants to do more than just provide financial support.

This incident causes the sister-in-law to decide not to give up the daughter at present, and it seems that she may not do so in the future either.

Towards the conclusion, a man remarks to the protagonist, "I heard that you lost a lot in the crash." He replies, "I did, but I lost everything I wanted in the boom."

The story is particularly poignant when one takes into account that Fitzgerald and his wife lived lives of hedonism in Paris, and alcohol would eventually have a negative impact on him. This appears to be a story in which the author reveals his own regrets about his life.

What a great title! Babylon in the Bible is the city of blasphemy. When the man returns to Paris, he discovers that it has changed somewhat. The Depression has driven most Americans away, and it lacks the vitality of the 1920s. Nevertheless, just like the main character, the reminders of the past blasphemies persist as he finds himself in the same bars and served by the same bartenders.

Fitzgerald also did an outstanding job in having this story slowly unfold and reveal its true essence.

As always, every story that Fitzgerald puts on paper is well thought out and magnificent. It's not my favorite volume, but it's quite nice for in between. Fitzgerald has a unique way of crafting narratives that draw the reader in and keep them engaged from start to finish. His characters are complex and multi-dimensional, and the settings he creates are vivid and atmospheric. While this particular work may not be at the top of my list, it still has many redeeming qualities. The writing is smooth and flowing, and the story has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. It's a great choice for those looking for a quick and enjoyable read. Whether you're a die-hard Fitzgerald fan or just looking to explore his work, this book is definitely worth checking out.

The story collection I loved was truly remarkable.

It was gilded with a touch of elegance that drew me in from the very first page. The romantic elements added a layer of charm and warmth, making my heart flutter with anticipation.

However, it was not all roses and sunshine. There was a sense of whimsy that bordered on the macabre, as many people in the stories met with tragic fates. Some died, their lives snuffed out in the blink of an eye, while others went crazy, losing their grip on reality.

Despite the darkness, these elements were what made the collection so captivating. It had all the necessary ingredients to keep me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages with bated breath.

Each story was a unique adventure, taking me on a journey through different emotions and experiences. I laughed, I cried, and I was left in awe of the author's talent.

This short story collection was a true masterpiece, one that I will cherish for a long time to come.

An interesting collection from F Scott. At the sentence level, this text, like much of the author's work, is wordsmithing at its finest. It's truly remarkable how one can take what might seem like lame observations and transform them into something so delicious on the tongue. The stories within this collection are not only creative but also cast a shadow on Fitzgerald's moderate to severe obsession with indulgence. He seems to fail to see the tailwinds of privilege that were likely at his back. Alas, it was a different time. However, wouldn't it be lovely if some of our favorite classic literature artists, like Fitzgerald, had a dose of social awareness? I do forgive Fitzgerald his faults of injustice. After all, we all, myself included, must practice forgiveness for our own shortcomings. We can't judge the past too harshly when we are also imperfect beings in the present.