Fitzgerald is the 1920s and the 1920s are Fitzgerald.

This statement holds a certain truth. Fitzgerald was a prominent figure during the Roaring Twenties, a decade known for its extravagance, social change, and cultural upheaval.

His works, such as "The Great Gatsby," captured the essence of the era,描绘了 the lives of the wealthy and the pursuit of the American Dream.

Fitzgerald's writing style was characterized by its elegance, lyricism, and敏锐的洞察力 into human nature.

He was able to vividly描绘 the glamorous parties, the decadent lifestyles, and the underlying空虚 and dissatisfaction of the characters.

Through his works, he explored themes such as love, wealth, class, and the loss of innocence.

Fitzgerald's influence on American literature and culture is significant, and his works continue to be widely read and studied today.

In many ways, he became a symbol of the 1920s, representing both the辉煌 and the decline of that era.

This would be my last Fitzgerald book ever.

His writing style is truly extraordinary and magnificent. It has a certain allure that can captivate readers from the very first page.

However, as he might have put it himself, he doesn't write about anything of importance.

While his prose is beautiful and his stories are engaging, there seems to be a lack of depth and substance.

Perhaps this is because Fitzgerald was more interested in exploring the surface of things, rather than delving into the deeper meanings and implications.

Or maybe it's because he was writing during a time when society was more concerned with appearances and superficialities.

Whatever the reason, I can't help but feel a sense of disappointment.

I had hoped to find something more profound and meaningful in his books, something that would stay with me long after I had finished reading.

But alas, this was not to be.

And so, with a heavy heart, I bid farewell to Fitzgerald and his works.

Maybe one day I will pick up one of his books again and see it in a different light.

But for now, this is the end of my Fitzgerald journey.

Young Fitzgerald.

This is, quite literally, the most narcissistic, self-involved, and preening novel I have ever had the misfortune to read. It truly takes the cake. And that's saying a lot considering the egos of the many authors I've delved into over the years.

However, it is Fitzgerald doing the preening, and perhaps he has some justification for it. The writing experiments within the novel are undeniably interesting. Each time they shift, they force you to view the story from a different perspective, adding an element of intrigue.

The prose is beautiful, yet it often feels out of control and all over the place. I believe this is part of the charm that lies within the chaos of both the novel and Fitzgerald's personality. But, I must admit, it drove me crazy at times. I can only imagine the effect it would have on others.

As a result of this, the storytelling is also rather loose and wandering. Nowhere near as tight as that of Gatsby, and not even coming close to "Tender is the Night."

Personally, I have a bias towards reading the early works of geniuses, before they create their masterpieces. And even among that group, I find this particular novel to be one of the nearest and dearest to my heart.

This Side of Paradise was F. Scott Fitzgerald's debut and coming-of-age novel, which made a significant impact in 1920 by introducing a new and vibrant author to write about the gilded age and the budding jazz age. Allegedly semi-autobiographical, it sometimes presents an unflattering picture. At times, the book appears disjointed as Fitzgerald experiments with various structures, resulting in long passages of poetry and prose centered around socialism, religion, and relationships.

Amory Blaine, a privileged young man, struggles to discover his true self. He attended a prep school in Minnesota and then Princeton. What's charming in his early life is his relationship with his neurotic mother, Beatrice, and his beautiful and developing connection with Monsignor Darcy. It's evident that the Monsignor views him as a son, and some of the novel's best parts are their meetings and letters. One of the most beautiful passages is: "They slipped into an intimacy from which they never recovered."

The essence of this novel is a romantic tale, yet we witness F. Scott Fitzgerald's inclination towards a tragic view of life as we follow Amory Blaine through his years at Princeton and beyond. After all, we're observing lives in the aftermath of World War I. I adored this book and all the promise that this 23-year-old author brought. Fitzgerald's brilliance shines through these pages.

One of the most poignant and my favorite moments in this book is when Amory Blaine is at a loss and trying to find himself while pondering social class issues in American society and his place in it. As he walks back to Princeton, feeling compelled to do so, he gets a ride from a limousine driver. It's in this captivating conversation between the two that we learn a great deal, not only about Amory Blaine but also about ourselves and our beliefs.

  

"I sent my son to Princeton,"
  "Did you?"
  "Perhaps you knew him. His name was Jesse Ferrenby. He was killed last year in France."
  "I knew him very well. In fact he was one of my particular friends."

Original Article: The importance of learning English cannot be ignored. It is a global language that is widely used in various fields such as business, education, and technology. By learning English, we can communicate with people from different countries and cultures, and gain access to a wealth of information and knowledge.

Expanded Article:

The significance of learning English simply cannot be overlooked. It stands as a truly global language, finding extensive application in diverse fields including business, education, and technology.

When we embark on the journey of learning English, we open the door to communicate with individuals from various countries and cultures. This not only enriches our social experiences but also broadens our horizons.

Moreover, English serves as a key that unlocks a vast treasure trove of information and knowledge. We can access countless books, research papers, and online resources that are written in English, enabling us to stay updated with the latest developments in different areas.

[Revised, shelves and pictures added, spoilers hidden 7/24/2022]

This was Fitzgerald’s first novel, published when he was just 23. It is a coming-of-age novel with semi-autobiographical elements. Our main character, Amory, is introduced as a rather unlikable egotistical young man. He believes he is marked for glory and is “remarkable looking.” He’s a football quarterback but gives it up. Older boys usually detested him, yet he’s a hit with the girls. However, he’s disgusted by his first kiss. There’s a lot of girl-chasing, drinking, partying, and fast car driving, along with a tragedy.

The book is filled with themes, mainly focusing on wealthy young men in an ivy-league environment like Princeton, where Fitzgerald went. There’s a lot about college life and the competition among young men. We read about their endless coffee-shop discussions about philosophy and their rush to get into the “right” clubs. There are also many excerpts of poetry he was reading and writing, and one-sentence judgments about the classics they had to read.

Hanging over all these young men is not only the question of “what am I going to do with my life,” but also the fear of being drafted into World War I. By the end of the book, Amory is world-weary, rejected by a woman, and fighting alcoholism. He has turned against books, women, and faith, and has no family left. Despite all this, he remains blasé about the deaths of his loved ones.

Overall, the book is almost noir and shows Fitzgerald’s emerging genius. Coincidentally, while reading this, I was also reading A Separate Peace by John Knowles, and there were many similarities. Both feature rich young men coming of age during a war, with the draft looming over them.

  "It was always the becoming he dreamed of, never the being."

Looking back, I firmly believe I had ADD as a child. When introduced to the classics in school, I didn't appreciate them as I do now, except for Poe. After finishing Of Human Bondage, I developed a voracious appetite for devouring the classics. Fortunately for me, it's like an extended Christmas with so many to choose from!!



When deciding which classics to read, my mind first turned to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Not because he is regarded as one of the greatest novelists of all time, but because he lived in North Carolina (my home state) for a while when his wife Zelda was in a mental institution for schizophrenia. He stayed at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, room 441, which has remained unchanged since his time there. People can still rent this room today and sense Fitzgerald's presence. I actually had dinner there, where you can eat on a veranda overlooking the mountains and, at one time, view the hospital where Zelda was before it burned down, taking her life with it. But enough of that, let's move on to the book...



This story is told from the perspective of Amory Blaine. It begins when he is an adolescent and ends when he is a young man. Like many of the classics I've been reading lately, it is mainly character-driven. Amory seems to be on a quest to understand his place in the world and life itself. Of course, as with other classics, this leads to deep introspection after he fails in love, career, and convention. Once stripped of these things, he finally thinks:

  "I know myself, but that is all."

That one sentence really hits hard and encapsulates the entire book. What I loved far more than the story or the characters was Fitzgerald's poetic prose, and I'm not one to say such things.

  For a minute they stood there, hating each other with a bitter sadness. But as Avory had loved himself in Eleanor, so now what he hated was only a mirror. Their poses were strewn about the pale dawn like broken glass. The stars were long gone and there were left only the little sighing gusts of wind and the silences between...but naked souls are poor things ever, and soon he turned homeward and let new lights come in with the sun."

Also, like most great classics, there is philosophy that adorns the pages, and this one is no exception.

  "Sentimentalists think they want to be in the pure, simple state they were in before they ate the candy. They don't. They just want the fun of eating it all over again. The matron doesn't want to repeat her girlhood - she wants to repeat her honeymoon. I don't want to repeat my innocence. I want the pleasure of losing it again."

"To hold a man a woman has to appeal to the worst in him." That was the thesis of most of his bad nights...

I love reading stories about the rich, or at least those who were rich like Amory in the beginning, who wander the Earth in search of self-reflection. They can get heavy at times, but I enjoy reading the musings of their minds.

DNFing this one.

Maybe it's because I'm not in the mood at the moment. There could be various reasons for this lack of mood. It might be due to the events that happened earlier in the day or some underlying stress that is affecting my state of mind.

Or maybe it's just that this particular book is slow-paced and not really my jam in general. The story might not be grabbing my attention or engaging me in the way that I prefer. The writing style could also be a factor, perhaps it's too dry or not as vivid as I would like.

Either way, just thinking about picking this book up was not inspiring me to read. There was no excitement or anticipation. So, I've decided that I'm done with it for now. Maybe I'll come back to it at a later time when my mood is different or when I'm in the right frame of mind to give it a fair chance. But for now, I'm moving on to something else that might be more interesting and engaging.

This book, which was Fitzgerald's debut novel, reminds me of the jazz age that I know only because of the film "Midnight in Paris". It's like a combination of "Catcher in the Rye" and "Dead Poets Society". The first half of the book was truly wonderful. I adored the character of Amory. He was full of himself, yet there was something endearing and entertaining about him. However, the novel seemed to meander aimlessly in the second half. I got bored with the shallow monologues and the unnecessary lyrical chapters. I was impatiently waiting for it to be over soon. Nevertheless, F. Scott's exciting and exaggerated life has always been very interesting to me. And this book helped me gain a closer understanding of the author's personality as it was loosely inspired by himself. It was an interesting read overall, despite its flaws.

I started reading this book with rather mediocre expectations. Fitzgerald is renowned for his extremely vivid and sometimes even excessive prose. As someone who typically leans towards the Hemingway-esque style of curtness, I wasn't exactly looking forward to delving into Fitzgerald's work.

However, after a rapid reading that spanned just 1.5 days, I am now completely certain that this is one of the truest and most agonizing books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. There was scarcely any part of Amory's story that didn't strike a chord with me on a deeply personal level. When one is engrossed in this book, it feels as if they are embarking on a journey of learning about life right alongside him. What exactly is the meaning that college is supposed to hold? What occurs when the traits we have associated with ourselves start to fade away? How do we prevent ourselves from imposing our own ideas and preconceptions onto others?

It is truly difficult to express in words all that one feels about something that is found to be truly wonderful. This book is nothing short of remarkable. It has managed to touch my heart and make me reflect on various aspects of life in a profound way. I highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking a thought-provoking and deeply moving read.

I believe this was Fitzgerald's first novel and it definitely showcases his potential, yet it is not his finest work.

I can envision the future of some of his flapper characters and their shallow, fleeting relationships with one another. However, he has not refined them to the extent that they become truly interesting. They are rather dull, and so are their interactions.

This book lacks the sharp洞察力 that is exhibited in many of his other novels.

Brief summary: Armory is a bored wealthy youngster who engages in the typical activities of bored rich kids: attending private school, going to Princeton, getting involved in several intangible relationships, and ultimately arriving at existential conclusions about the world and life.

If any of these aspects could have been developed further than just introducing the characters or painting them in a more vivid manner, it might have been an enjoyable read. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to read Fitzgerald's other novels first. I suppose one could argue that the character types remain somewhat the same, but they have matured and become more fully developed in his later works.

Unless you are a die-hard Fitzgerald enthusiast, I would suggest skipping this one.

The Great Gatsby is truly colossal. It's one of those books from your high school reading list that you probably still hold dear. I most certainly do. I have a deep love for Gatsby. When I learned that the Baz Luhrman movie was about to be released, I recalled that I had once promised myself that I would read all of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novels. This Side of Paradise is his very first novel, published way back in 1920.

It's not a flawless book, but it is a sincere one. It's an all-encompassing, everything-and-the-kitchen-sink kind of book. You can clearly tell that young F. Scott Fitzgerald poured EVERYTHING HE HAD into this work. His life, his loves, his poetry, every single idea, every experience - he stuffed it all in here and labeled it a novel. However, a lot of it doesn't quite fit together neatly. Not all of it is captivating. Some of it is truly perplexing. The redeeming factor is that beneath it all, there's this exuberance and passion that compels you to keep turning the pages.

There isn't much of a plot to speak of. At first, you find yourself reading a bildungsroman, the story of a young American, Amory Blaine, coming of age at Princeton University. Then the story seems to shift its focus to his love life and becomes rather episodic, with elements that reveal this is a highly autobiographical book. The last third of the book takes on an experimental tone. Part of it is written as a one-act play. One brief section is stream-of-consciousness (the introduction mentions that Fitzgerald was inspired by Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man). And then there are the poems. Loads and loads of poems. Some of them just seem to be hanging there in the middle of the chapter, without much context as to their purpose. Oh, and there are reading lists of the trendy authors that Amory and his friends are reading at Princeton. Huge portions of the novel are simply discussions between Amory and his classmates about literature.

So, yes, all the rookie mistakes are present here. I can tell that F. Scott Fitzgerald is a first-time novelist because he makes the same error that new comedians often make. They do stand-up comedy ABOUT stand-up comedy. Here, Fitzgerald is writing about writing before he has fully mastered the craft of writing.

Nevertheless, he is still far more brilliant than you or I will ever be. Each section, on its own, is clearly the work of a very precocious young genius in the making. When you glue them all together, they don't quite form a cohesive novel, but taken one piece at a time, there's a wealth of fascinating material here. I particularly relished the section where Amory Blaine meets the devil. And some of the Princeton bits reminded me so vividly of my own college experience, how your mind evolves and your ideas transform during that period.

But what I take away from this is how PASSIONATE Fitzgerald was to write, to get it all down on paper, to get it all out into the world. That excitement is palpable in every single line. That's the valuable lesson of this book, and it's a great one.

Oh, and I also can't help but think that 'Amory Blaine' is a truly awful name for a character.