All the Sad Young Men

This is the third collection of short stories that FSF published. As per his usual pattern, it followed shortly after the publication of his third novel, The Great Gatsby.

It includes 4 short stories that are frequently referred to as the "Gatsby Cluster". They represent some themes and structures that he was experimenting with while writing Gatsby. These stories are The Rich Boy, Winter Dreams, Absolution, and The Sensible Thing.

This particular version of All the Sad Young Men did not include Hot and Cold Blood and The Adjuster, and unfortunately, they are not available in any other collection.

I would highly recommend the Cambridge Edition of All the Sad Young Men. I would have rated this collection a "5" if it had included the other two stories, assuming they were of the same high standards as the 7 that were already in it.

It's a pity that those two stories are missing, but nevertheless, the collection still offers valuable insights into FSF's writing style and themes.

Readers can enjoy the well-crafted stories and explore the complex characters and emotions that FSF so skillfully portrays.

Overall, it's a great addition to any FSF enthusiast's library.

AVISO: CONTIENE DESTRIPES DE ALGUNAS DE LAS HISTORIAS

The majority of these stories are somewhat similar: they deal with a young man trying to win over a girl who is the love of his life. Sometimes he succeeds, but then they end up losing each other; sometimes the two part ways and reunite years later; sometimes they are together and struggle to stay that way... There is one with a somewhat more humorous tone, like "Baby Party", in which two married couples come to blows because their children, two toddlers who have just started walking, have "hit" each other at a birthday party and one starts crying. Another one, it's not clear if it's positive and hopeful or the opposite: it's about a left-handed man who is always "lending" money to "needy" people (who then spend it on whims and never return it) and decides, after many pleadings from his pregnant wife, to stop giving that money and save it for his wife and their future baby. A decision that lasts him four days, because he realizes that he can't be "a heartless man", and he goes back to giving money to anyone who asks for it.

The two that interested me the most are a bit disturbing because they show how submissive women were, even those of very high class, in a marriage in the 1930s. In one, "The Four Hundred Fingers of Gretchen", a man decides not to leave the house any night for six weeks to finish some advertising projects that will bring him great success, and although at first he "allows" his wife to go out and have fun, he ends up becoming so paranoid and jealous, convinced that his wife is going to have an affair with someone else while he works, that he drugs her, locks her in the house and cuts the phone so that she can't leave or ask for help.

The other one, "The Composer", is even more anguishing. In it, there is a married woman who no longer loves her husband and wants to stop living with him and ask for a divorce, but every time she wants to leave the house, a strange individual, a supposed psychologist, appears and makes her feel selfish, guilty and miserable for trying to leave her husband. She ends up accepting to stay a little longer, to not leave him alone in a bad moment, and in the end, when it's seen that she has definitely stayed with her husband, it's not at all clear if she has regained her love for him, or if they have made her feel so guilty that she has resigned herself to an unhappy marriage.

Unhappy relationships are nothing new in Fitzgerald - in fact, they are rather a constant - but these stories are the first in which I see a real physical and psychological abuse towards one of the members of the couple.

“He wanted to care, and he could not care. For he had gone away and he could never go back anymore. The gates were closed, the sun was down, and there was no beauty left but the gray beauty of steel that withstands all time. Even the grief he could have borne was left behind in the country of youth, of illusion, of the richness of life, where his winter dreams had flourished.” ----F. Scott Fitzgerald

Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, an American writer, published his collection of short stories, All the Sad Young Men after the fame of his most popular novel, The Great Gatsby. In this collection, the author uses the same themes of the flapper and Jazz age. The rich men and women in these stories have the time of their lives without caring about others. This collection reflects the era in America when money and sweat seemed like glitter, and emotions ran wild among the people.

Published a year after The Great Gatsby, this short-story collection showcases many of the celebrated novel’s themes and its unique writing style. Two of the most famous tales, ‘The Rich Boy’ and ‘Winter Dreams’, deal with wealthy protagonists coming to terms with lost love. ‘Absolution’, where a boy confesses to a priest, was initially a background piece to The Great Gatsby. The collection also contains other stories that describe the 1920s society Fitzgerald inhabited.

If Fitzgerald's long novels have allured you with his writing style and prose, you might be disappointed by All the Sad Young Men. While the stories reflect Fitzgerald's unmatched flair, they lack emotion and depth. However, except for one or two stories, the rest are engaging enough to keep you reading. Fitzgerald portrays his protagonists as rich or soon-to-be-rich, beautiful, and exploitative. But the characters feel real, as we might have come across such people in our lives.
My personal favorites from this book are ‘Gretchen's Forty Winks’, ‘Absolution’, and ‘The Baby Party’. These stories are unusual, and the characters leave an impression. They are not only intriguing but also complex, dealing with the characters' emotional despair and restlessness. The characters are real and voice their stories with a perceptive voice, which is thought-provoking for the readers. Also, these stories are high on morality, life's values, and lessons.
In conclusion, All the Sad Young Men is a compelling book that can help you avoid book hangovers, lust after Fitzgerald's writing style, or experience the 20s era in America. It's a bite into the world of one of the greatest American writers.

He protests,

"I wonder what my state would be if women were different. If I didn't know so many things about them, if women didn't completely spoil you, so that you can't please them and others, if they had at least a little pride... If I could take a nap and wake up in a house that is truly mine. This is what I was made for, Paula, and this is what the women who liked me saw in me. It's just that I can't get past the threshold anymore."

Perhaps he feels frustrated and disillusioned with the way women are in his perception. He longs for a different kind of relationship, one where women are not so demanding and where he can find a sense of belonging and ownership.

Maybe he has had experiences that have led him to believe that women are more interested in changing him or using him for their own purposes.

Whatever the case may be, his words reveal a certain longing for something more, something that he feels he has not yet found.

This is a wonderful episodic drama with young men and women as the main characters. Half of the stories have the shadow of "The Great Gatsby": The little boy is attracted by the beautiful bird on the high branch and paddles拼命against the tide; the well-dressed young woman looks around with bright eyes, and the hairband and pointed high heels are all金灿灿的and dazzling - love is pushed and shoved between them, so轻率that it's dizzying.

In the other half, the young people are much more concerned with daily necessities: The wife complains that the unprincipled husband lends money to friends who never pay back, and the husband who fights with his friend for his wife then sends his wife out to apologize. These stories take place in the countryside church, on the cruise ship deck, and in the dance floor.一张张faces pass by like a revolving lantern, so鲜活that there is a sense of familiarity.

Fitzgerald's Another Collection of Short Stories

Here is another collection of short stories by Fitzgerald. It's a solid read overall, but it's a pity that some of these pieces were published before they had the chance to fully develop into something more substantial.

The Rich Boy - 3 stars

This story is about a young, rich, immature, haughty, arrogant, and snobbish boy who thinks he is superior to everyone around him and only feels good in the company of like-minded people. It may sound pathetic, but perhaps it reminds us of the importance of self-reflection, respect, and humanity in order to find true happiness within ourselves. Or maybe it's just another piece in the puzzle of the mysterious West-Coast Tycoon. In any case, it's not Fitzgerald's best work, but it's still very good.

Winter Dreams - 2 stars

This must be a very good story, as it is well-written and well-structured. However, I couldn't fully appreciate it because of the unlikable character of Judy Jones. But what I do know for sure is that Fitzgerald has once again written a short story that gets under the skin.

The Baby Party - 4 stars

Beware of spoilers! The baby party ends with children pushing each other to the floor, mothers calling each other names, and fathers punching each other in the face. This is a very short but very funny story. While it may not have a specific lesson to teach, it seems that Fitzgerald's intention was to share an experience that could add a touch of lightness to this otherwise sad young life.

Absolution

I must admit that I didn't quite understand this story. If it was about sin and visible punishment, it was too elusive for me to grasp.

Rags Martin-Jones And The Pr-Nce Of W-Les - 2 stars

This story is simple and naive, but also funny and full of adventure. It reminded me of "The Offshore Pirate" from "Flappers and Philosophers". However, it's worth noting that the female character in this story was less interesting, described as "half a girl and half a flower".

The Adjuster - 4 stars

This is a good story that makes you think and is full of mystery. But my goodness! The description of a child's death is as detailed as that of a silver tray on which teacups are served. It seems that this story should have been a novel to maintain a more rational proportion.

Hot And Cold Blood - 4 stars

I love how Fitzgerald is able to structure his writing so well. Each chapter is an independent unit, yet all the parts are connected to build a cohesive story. No part is replaceable or superfluous. And this story, although very short, is a perfect example of this. The main beauty lies in the human behavior that the author uncovers. I'm amazed at how he was able to capture and put into words some of the ideas of behavioral economics before it even existed. And this line is simply brilliant: "He felt dimly that doing so would partially atone for his refusal to Mr. Lacy that afternoon."

The Sensible Thing - 2 stars

This story seemed very raw to me. As the saying goes, you can't step into the same river twice, and Fitzgerald depicted this well. However, some elements of the story seem redundant or not fully developed. The protagonist's jealousy and anxiety, the contrived need for a visit, and the strange reaction to being fired from his job - was this a sign of his character maturing? If so, it was a very weak and underdeveloped portrayal.

Gretchen’s Forty Winks - 2 stars

This is a funny take on work-life balance from Fitzgerald. The story is not bad at all, but it feels rather shallow compared to his other works.

Sparkling short stories, brilliantly furnished, with subtle undertones of despair and boredom just lurking behind the splendid wallpaper. These stories are like precious gems, each one shining with its own unique light. A few border more dangerously upon the melodramatic, such as "Gretchen's Forty Winks" and "Rags Martin-Jones". However, since vague melodrama is Fitzgerald's flavor of work, this is forgiven. My favorites were "The Rich Boy" and "Absolution", and "The Adjuster", which is the most heartening and optimistic story of the entire collection. "The Rich Boy" delves deep into the psyche of the wealthy, exploring their loneliness and isolation. "Absolution" is a powerful tale of guilt and redemption. And "The Adjuster" offers a glimmer of hope in a world filled with darkness and despair. Overall, these short stories are a testament to Fitzgerald's genius as a writer.

Fitzgerald's best short story collection is truly a remarkable piece of work and serves as a wonderful companion to his iconic novel 'The Great Gatsby'.

This collection is filled with numerous highlights that showcase Fitzgerald's extraordinary literary talent.

Some of the standout stories include 'Winter Dreams', which delves deep into the complex emotions and aspirations of its protagonist.

'The Baby Party' is another excellent addition, presenting a unique and engaging narrative that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

And let's not forget 'Gretchen's Forty Winks', which offers a charming and thought-provoking tale.

Overall, this short story collection is a must-read for any fan of Fitzgerald or anyone who appreciates great literature. It provides a diverse range of stories that explore various themes and emotions, making it a truly captivating and unforgettable read.