A reformed alcoholic had a short but eventful story. He was estranged from his now deceased wife, and he embarked on a journey to obtain custody of his daughter, who was living with his sister-in-law. However, his sister-in-law bitterly resented him and was reluctant to give up the child. After much persuasion, she finally agreed, but only reluctantly.

Unfortunately, a chance meeting with a couple he used to drink with spoiled his plan. They showed up drunk at his sister-in-law's place, which made her even more determined not to hand over the daughter. As a result, they decided that he must wait six months before attempting to get custody again.

And that was the end of this short story. Or was it? Yup, for now, it seems that way. But who knows what the future holds for this reformed alcoholic and his quest to be reunited with his daughter? Only time will tell.

Scummy, charming, vulnerable realism. It presents the destruction that is left in the wake of love, affluence, and alcohol. The honest prose is both lyrical and matter-of-fact, much like the buildings of old New York. There is sardonic criticism, sentimentality, and it serves as an elegy to exuberance.

“…be cheerful, sir. Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits and Are melted into air, into thin air: And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Ye all which it inherit, shall dissolve And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep.” This passage seems to capture the essence of the overall tone. It speaks of the ephemeral nature of things, much like the realism described earlier. The actors, once full of life and spirit, now melt away. The grand structures and the very world itself are subject to dissolution. Our lives, too, are like dreams, fragile and finite, ending with a sleep. It's a powerful reminder of the transient nature of all that we hold dear.

A través de estos 25 cuentos, he podido darme cuenta de que Fitzgerald fue, sin duda, un mejor cuentista que novelista. Sin embargo, es una desgracia enterarse de que gran parte de su obra fue robada a su esposa. Esta situación pone de manifiesto la complejidad de su vida y la posible injusticia que sufrió.

Aunque me gustaron más los 18 relatos anteriores del primer volumen, no sentí ninguno flojo. Cada uno de ellos tiene su propio encanto y muestra la habilidad de Fitzgerald para crear personajes y historias que cautivan al lector. Lo que me encanta de este autor son las temáticas de sus cuentos. A pesar de estar escritos hace más de 80 o 90 años, siguen siendo muy actuales y fácilmente se podrían ambientar en estos tiempos. Esto demuestra la universalidad de sus ideas y la capacidad de su obra para trascender el tiempo.

Descubrir los excesos y el caos que era trabajar en el mundo del texto y el Hollywood del Jazz Age es algo que intriga mucho y merece la pena seguir leyendo. Fitzgerald nos muestra una faceta de la sociedad estadounidense de aquella época que a menudo se pasa por alto. Su estilo de escritura, lleno de elegancia y poesía, hace que leer sus cuentos sea una experiencia placentera. En resumen, este es un gran libro que merece ser leído y disfrutado.

Short stories about the little essence of life are truly captivating. They offer a unique perspective on the simple yet profound moments that make up our daily existence. These stories have the power to touch our hearts, make us laugh, and even bring a tear to our eye. Each one is like a precious gem, shining a light on the beauty and complexity of human nature. I am filled with joy as I recommend these short stories to you. They are a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of the modern world, allowing us to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. Whether you are looking for a quick read during your commute or a relaxing bedtime story, these short stories are sure to delight. So, grab a cup of coffee, find a cozy corner, and let the magic of these stories transport you to a world of wonder and inspiration.

Most of the stories in this collection were rather forgettable.

The recurring theme of "Poor me, I'm so rich and no one loves me" quickly became tiresome.

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of Fitzgerald.

However, I did have a liking for "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz."

This story is a satire of capitalism that manages to be quite entertaining.

It presents a unique and humorous take on the excesses and absurdities of a capitalist society.

The characters and their actions are exaggerated, yet they still manage to convey a certain truth about human nature and the pursuit of wealth.

Overall, while the collection as a whole may not have been to my taste, "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" was a pleasant surprise and a story that I would recommend to others.

I’m not really much of an F Scott Fitzgerald fan nor do I care for short stories. So, what was I thinking when I started this book?

Therefore, take my whole review with a big grain of salt. In addition, some of the short stories were as crazy as all get out. If they had been written by a no-name, nobody would have paid the least bit of attention to them.

So, why did I read this book? Our library, which is closed due to Covid for everything except drop-off and pick-up, has started this great idea of “bundling books” by genre. So, I picked up a “classic” bundle. I’m looking forward to the others!

Maybe I was curious to see if Fitzgerald’s short stories would change my opinion of him or of short stories in general. Or perhaps it was just because the library’s bundling idea seemed interesting and I wanted to give it a try.

Either way, I’m glad I read this book, even if some of the stories were a bit out there. It’s always good to step out of your comfort zone and try new things, and this book definitely did that for me.

Who knows, maybe the next bundle I pick up will be even better!

Much as I have a profound love for 'Gatsby', it cannot be denied that Fitzgerald's short stories are truly his finest works. This holds true even for those stories that he penned in a desperate attempt to secure some much-needed cash. He is, without a doubt, an underrated master of the short fiction genre. His ability to craft vivid characters and tell engaging stories within a relatively short篇幅 is truly remarkable. Each of his short stories is like a small gem, shining with its own unique brilliance. Whether it's a tale of love and loss, a satire on society, or a exploration of the human psyche, Fitzgerald's short stories always manage to leave a lasting impression. It's a pity that he is not more widely recognized for his achievements in this area. Perhaps it's time for a reevaluation of his work, so that the world can fully appreciate the genius of this great writer.

Fitzgerald's works have a charm that doesn't rely on grand language. Under this simplicity, it attracts readers to gradually immerse in the story. Even in the scene of the jazz party, we can hear the music. In the scene of the ice palace, we can feel the cold.

This short story collection is a compilation of three of his works. It is divided into short stories written in the early stage of his writing career, such as "The Ice Palace" and "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz", and another story written in the later stage of his life, like "Babylon Revisited", which clearly shows the different inheritance of stories in different eras. These are the results of the events in the author's life that he had to face the glory and decline like a loser.

Fitzgerald may not be a contemporary American writer like Hemingway or Faulkner, but it is hard to deny his great and clear portrayal of American society, and it is also sad at the same time. He is a writer who has been constantly struggling with himself, which shows the excessive contradiction in his writing works.

Every sentence is of pure quality.

It is definitely worth reading.

Even if it has been a few years, it is still captivating.

One story at a time, it unfolds before your eyes.

The words are carefully crafted, each one carrying its own weight and meaning.

As you read, you are drawn into the world created by the author.

The stories are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.

They make you reflect on your own life and experiences.

Whether it's a tale of love, loss, or adventure, each story has something to offer.

You will find yourself immersed in the narrative, unable to put the article down.

It is a literary gem that will stand the test of time.

So, take your time, savor each sentence, and let the stories transport you to another place.

You won't be disappointed.

A 1960 paperback, which likely dates back to someone's academic past, is in pretty good shape.

1 - "The Ice Palace" tells the story of a Southern belle who goes North and discovers she doesn't like winter all that much. FSF, a Minnesota native, seems to have had more of a Southern heart.

2 - "May Day" presents lives and events crisscrossing in annoying, amusing, and deadly ways over the course of a long, chaotic evening/night/morning in Manhattan. It's an exercise in impressionistic, verbal creativity.

3 - "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" leaves me lost as to its meaning. Set in a fantasyland, I assume it must be about something. I have the vaguest memory of reading it a long time ago.

4 - "Winter Dreams" is probably the most anthologized of FSF's short stories and a precursor to "The Great Gatsby." Young goddess Judy Jones is the object of love/obsession, and the story has a very bitter, melancholy ending. Reading it when on the edge of depression might push one over. This is my third time reading it.

5 - "Absolution" is another re-read. The story showcases great prose skills but with a murky effect. There's a suggestion of the early life of Jimmy Gatz and it reminds me of an Alice Munro story about an angry, abusive father.

6 - "The Rich Boy" is the longest story in the collection and a low-key mini-epic about the love life of a privileged young Manhattanite. It's an emotional and relationship inventory of aloofness, if that makes sense.

7 - "The Freshest Boy" is a possibly autobiographic tale of a brash lad who learns to smarten up and get along better with the world. A side character is a Yale football hero named Ted Fay, and there was a real-life Yale football hero of the time named Ted Coy, which Wikipedia mentions.

8 - "Babylon Revisited" I think I read many years ago, in the wake of the "Lost Generation" thing. It's about partying until the Great Depression "ruined" everything.

9 - "Crazy Sunday" shows life in Hollywood in the early 30's, which was full of drinking and fooling around.

10 - "The Long Way" explores what some people might do to avoid suffering, which is interesting.

And so, the rating for this collection is a satisfying, though not transcendent read - a solid 3.75*, which rounds up to 4*. After all, nothing's as good as "The Great Gatsby" - it's tough to compete with oneself.

Gets a five for the title story alone.

It is truly my favorite thing that Fitzgerald ever wrote.

The title story has a certain allure and charm that immediately grabs the reader's attention.

Fitzgerald's writing in this piece is masterful, with his ability to create vivid characters and a captivating plot.

The story takes the reader on a journey through the lives and emotions of the characters, making them feel as if they are a part of it all.

The language is rich and descriptive, painting a detailed picture in the reader's mind.

Every sentence seems to be carefully crafted to add to the overall atmosphere and mood of the story.

It is no wonder that this is my favorite work of Fitzgerald's.

It has the power to transport the reader to another time and place, and leave a lasting impression.

I would highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys great literature.

"Diamond as Big as the Ritz" was truly a remarkable and peculiarly absurd work within my encounter with Fitzgerald's style. It stands out vividly, as if it were a bold stroke on a canvas. The story feels like a more cynical and ironic rendition of the themes he aimed to convey about the American mythos in many of his other tales. Fitzgerald seems to be taking a magnifying glass to the ideals and illusions that Americans hold dear, and in this particular story, he does so with a touch of dark humor and a healthy dose of absurdity. It's as if he is saying, "Look at this ridiculousness that we call the American dream." The exaggerated nature of the diamond and the outlandish events that unfold add to the overall sense of absurdity, making it a memorable and thought-provoking piece.