Zelda, poor Zelda,

Your love for F. Scott Fitzgerald truly took a toll on you. You were a Southern belle who was transplanted to a different world. It's no doubt that you went through hell. But oh, those years of glory! Your story in the nineteen-twenties was something to behold. You and F. Scott were the couple with the mostest, but you were a reluctant hostess. The Paris scene was so sparkly, yet your mind was receding darkly. Your husband used you, his wife, to fuel his writing life. You were condemned to madness, truly embodying The Beautiful and the Damned. Sadly, your refuge, which was destroyed by fire, became your funeral pyre. It's a tragic tale of love, loss, and the harsh realities of a life lived in the public eye.

I've never completed a book and instantaneously thought, "I have to read this again." However, that's precisely the sentiment I have regarding this particular work. Zelda's life is incredibly nuanced and captivating to me. As someone who has grappled with my own mental health concerns and has a close family member diagnosed with schizophrenia, her story holds a special significance.

It's evident that Milford's perspective on mental illness and the role of women in the domestic sphere was somewhat outdated when this was written. This makes me wish that a work as thoroughly researched as this could have also been penned with a more contemporary viewpoint. Nevertheless, it's clear that she made an effort to be as objective as possible. She presented multiple facets of an extremely complex life and offered a highly empathetic portrayal of an overlooked woman.

I might have begun an obsession with Zelda Fitzgerald prior to reading this, but this biography has deepened my investment in researching more about her. I'm certain that throughout my life, as I come across more media and experiences related to mental illness and F Scott Fitzgerald's work, Zelda will continue to占据 the forefront of my thoughts. There's so much I feel about her that I struggle to express in words. Fortunately, Milford has painted a lovely, detailed picture of her, so for now, I don't really have to. Just consider picking this up if you're interested in delving into the life of the woman who was far more than America's First Flapper.

This author left no stone unturned in presenting the tumultuous life story of Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald.

Every aspect of her life seems to have been meticulously explored and presented. The author delved deep into the various events, relationships, and experiences that shaped Zelda's existence.

Although I faithfully read the lion’s share of the content, I must admit to having skipped the two sections in which the author details the plots of Zelda’s two novels.

Perhaps it was due to a lack of interest in that particular aspect of her work at the time. However, I still feel that I gained a comprehensive understanding of Zelda's life and the challenges she faced.

The author's vivid descriptions and engaging narrative style made it easy to follow along and become immersed in Zelda's world.

Overall, it was a fascinating read that provided valuable insights into the life of this complex and influential figure.

I found myself weirdly obsessed with this book. It was as if it had cast a spell on me, pulling me into the tragic world of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Poor Zelda, with her tortured soul. She was a free-spirit and a true artist, unafraid to express herself and live life on her own terms. But in a society that demanded conformity, her individuality was both a blessing and a curse.

F. Scott loved her for her unique spirit, but at the same time, he hated her for it. Their relationship was a tumultuous one, filled with passion, jealousy, and self-destruction. They seemed to be caught in a cycle of chaos, unable to break free. Their self-destructive behavior and ultimate demise broke my heart. It was a painful reminder of the price that some people pay for following their dreams and being true to themselves.

As I read this book, I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness and empathy for Zelda and F. Scott. Their story was a cautionary tale, a reminder that love and success don't always bring happiness. It also made me appreciate the importance of mental health and self-care. In the end, I was left with a profound sense of loss and a newfound respect for the power of literature to touch our hearts and souls.

Poor, poor Zelda.

She had always seemed to be at the mercy of fate. Life had thrown one curveball after another her way.

Zelda had dreams and aspirations, just like anyone else. But it felt as if the world was determined to crush them.

She worked hard, yet success always seemed to elude her.

Her relationships were also a source of pain. Love had brought her joy at times, but more often than not, it had left her with a broken heart.

Despite all the hardships, Zelda refused to give up. She continued to strive for a better life, hoping that one day, her luck would change.

She held onto her dreams tightly, believing that they were the only things that could keep her going in this cruel world.

Zelda's story was a reminder that life wasn't always fair, but that even in the face of adversity, one could find the strength to carry on.

Zelda Fitzgerald is truly a fascinating figure. I'd love to get to know her better.

Imagine sitting in their bedroom late at night, eavesdropping on a really good conversation between them, with no one else around. Maybe then, you could see them both being so open and raw that you would truly understand.

The letters included here, which show Zelda starting to lose it, well, I could understand them. It's a strange way to worry that you might be a budding schizophrenic.

This book presents a sad portrait of a time when people knew very little about the genetics behind alcoholism and schizophrenia. Instead, things were blamed on other factors. How different things would be now with the help of AA and modern drugs. Zelda is clearly a tragic figure, and it's a shame that no one has captured their story on film.

Some of the things in this book are truly haunting, like Zelda foretelling her own death or knowing that a train would be late because of the ghost of Scott. I watched a YouTube video about the demons that come for schizophrenic people, and it really added to the sense of unease.

This is a very factual book, but I guess I was looking for more historical fiction. The big takeaway for me is how much Scott depended on Zelda as a creative collaborator, how he took from her letters, and how she was not like Daisy Fay. She was not in love with Fitzgerald just for his money. The theme of worth coming from cash in Fitzgerald's writing clearly came from him, not from Zelda, a small town southern girl with a puritan streak.

Zelda was also proud of the fact that she didn't like women, which is confusing and frustrating when you want her to be a feminist hero. You're a complicated woman, Zelda. And Scott, well, that's a tough row to hoe.

Haha, now I understand why Scott Fitzgerald can cause time travel with words and metaphor and why I want to eat his books with my hands and mouth.

There’s a tendency to take sides when we read about a turbulent marriage, to take one side or the other.

I’ve noticed in other reviews people have tended to take Zelda’s side. But I thought this was a scrupulously fair account of the marriage of the Fitzgeralds. It seeks to understand the forces that drew them to each other and broke them apart rather than judgementally casting blame.

It’s as much a biography of Scott as Zelda and I think the first thing to take into account is that had she not married Scott, Zelda would not be known to us today. She owes her fame to him which was to be a big part of her problem. Clearly she began to resent this. Firstly it led her to betray Scott, then to obsessively train as a dancer when she was too old to realistically succeed in her ambition and finally to turn to writing where it became clear she possessed a much lesser talent than her husband.

On Scott’s part, Zelda was a goldmine of material but clearly disastrous in the role of wife to a serious artist.

You come away not really knowing who Zelda was. This isn’t at all the biographer’s fault who does a masterful job of gathering all available material and recounting it in a riveting narrative form. Rather it’s the feeling one has that Zelda didn’t have much of an existence outside of Scott. She never had a single close female friend which I found extraordinary. How does a woman go through life without a female confidant? Scott was her only compass and Scott was more often drunk than sober.

At the end of the day, I sense I would have liked Scott a lot more than I liked Zelda if they were both my dinner guests – until, that is, Scott got drunk.

I thoroughly enjoyed this heartbreaking biography and would recommend it to anyone interested in the Fitzgeralds. It offers a deep and nuanced look into their complex relationship, revealing the joys and sorrows, the hopes and disappointments that characterized their lives together.

The author’s attention to detail and ability to bring the characters to life make this a truly engaging read. Whether you’re a fan of Fitzgerald’s literature or simply interested in the dynamics of a famous marriage, this biography is sure to captivate you.

It’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page, leaving you with a newfound understanding and appreciation for the Fitzgeralds and their place in literary history.

As someone who is completely and utterly obsessed and fascinated by the Fitzgeralds, it truly astonishes me that this book took me such a long time to read.

It was in a used book store that I happened to stumble upon multiple books about them, and that's when my journey truly began.

My desire was to know everything and anything there is to know about Scott and Zelda.

Their story is one that has always intrigued me, filled with glamour, tragedy, and a unique charm.

I can't wait to delve deeper into their lives and share a more in-depth review with you all.

Stay tuned for the longer review that is sure to follow.

This is not going to be a formal review by any means, but I do want to share my thoughts.

I have to say that if you’re a fan of Zelda, or F. Scott Fitzgerald, or even his work, I highly recommend reading this.

I’ve been a fan of Zelda Fitzgerald, but never knew too much about her life, other than she was the wife of F. Scott and that she was the original flapper as many believe. This book gives so much insight into her life. However, I feel this could also be a biography of Scott’s as well, because of how much their life revolved around each other.

There were so many things I didn’t know before. For example, just how much Zelda influenced Scott’s stories. It really makes me want to read all his work and read hers as well. The author has done amazing research, and it’s great that she was able to speak with the people that knew them personally.

Nevertheless, there were portions of this book that seemed to drag on a bit. But overall, as I said before, I highly recommend reading this and I’m so glad I picked this up. It provides a fascinating look into the lives of two of the most iconic figures in American literature.

So fascinating!

I had read an awful lot about Scott & Zelda during the 20s. Their story was one that had always intrigued me. However, this is the first thing I've read that really touches on Zelda's mental illness. It delves deep into the struggles she faced, the turmoil within her mind.

Completely heartbreaking, it is. But at the same time, it is so eye-opening and well-written. The author has managed to bring to life the pain and confusion that Zelda must have felt. It makes me see her in a whole new light.

No longer is she just a glamorous figure from the Roaring Twenties. She is a complex and troubled individual, and this piece does justice to her story. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the lives of Scott & Zelda or in understanding the impact of mental illness.

It is truly disturbing to me that even after the release of this meticulously researched book, individuals still favor Scotty's version over Zelda's.

What I have come to understand is that F. Scott Fitzgerald was envious of his more gifted wife. He pilfered from her diaries and presented her words as his own. At the same time, he had her institutionalized in various mental asylums and ensured that it was lucrative for the psychiatrists to keep her there.

He told her that her memories actually belonged to him and that she had no right to them, simply because he was the renowned writer. But one has to wonder how much of that fame was truly based on her talent?

I earnestly hope that the Me-Too movement can rouse people's awareness regarding this kind of abuse that was routinely inflicted upon women, at least up until the 1960s.

It is high time that we recognize and address the injustices that women have endured throughout history and work towards creating a more equitable and just society for all.

Having your husband cannibalize your life and writings to prop up his "genius" is an extremely harmful and unjust situation that is indeed not conducive to strong mental health. When a husband exploits and takes advantage of his wife's creativity and experiences in such a manner, it can cause significant emotional distress and damage to her self-esteem. She may feel violated, unappreciated, and overshadowed by her husband's actions. This kind of behavior can lead to feelings of resentment, anger, and a sense of powerlessness. It can also have a negative impact on her mental well-being, potentially resulting in anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. It is essential for individuals to have their own identities and be respected for their own contributions. In a healthy relationship, there should be mutual support and respect, rather than one person using the other for their own gain. When a husband cannibalizes his wife's life and writings, it not only undermines her mental health but also disrupts the balance and harmony of the relationship.