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Gatsby's Girl

caroline preston

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Just as Jay Gatsby was haunted by Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fizgerald was haunted by his own great first love — a Chicago socialite named Ginevra. Alluring, capricious, and ultimately unavailable, she would become his first muse, the inspiration for such timeless characters as Gatsby's Daisy and Isabelle Borge in This Side of Paradise.

Caroline Preston's astute perceptions of her characters and the cultural landscapes they inhabit have earned her work comparisons to to that of Anne Tyler, Alison Lurie, and Diane Johnson. Now, in this richly imagined and ambitious novel, Preston deftly evokes the entire sweep of Ginevra's life — from her first meeting with Scott to the second act of her sometimes charmed, sometimes troubled life.
Ginevra was sixteen, a rich man’s daughter who had been told she was pretty far too often for her own good. Scott was nineteen, a poor boy full of ambition. They met at a country club dance in St. Paul, Minnesota, in January 1916. For almost a year they wrote each other letters — so long, breathless, and yearning that they often required more than one envelope.

But despite their intense epistolary romance, the relationship wouldn’t last. After throwing him over with what he deemed “supreme boredom and indifference,” she impulsively married a handsome aviator from the right society background.

Ruminating over what might have been had she picked the writer instead of the flier, she furtively reads the now famous Fitzgerald’s work. When she sees herself — much to her surprise — in his characters, it’s not just as the spoiled debutante he’d known; he’s also uncannily predicted the woman she’s become, cracks and all.

An affecting story of two people, one famous, one known only through her portrayals in enduring works of fiction, Gatsby’s Girl is a tremendously entertaining and moving novel about the powerful forces of first love, memory, and art.

312 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1,2006

This edition

Format
312 pages, Hardcover
Published
January 1, 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN
9780618537259
ASIN
0618537252
Language
English

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About the author

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caroline preston

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As a girl growing up in Lake Forest, Illinois, Caroline Preston used to pore through her grandmother's and mother's scrapbooks and started collecting antique scrapbooks when she was in high school. She attended Dartmouth College and received a master's in American Civilization from Brown University. Inspired by her interest in manuscripts and ephemera, she worked as an archivist at the Peabody/Essex Museum and Harvard's Houghton Library.

Preston is the author of three previous novels. Jackie by Josie, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, was drawn from her (brief) researching stint for a Jackie O. biography. Gatsby's Girl chronicles F. Scott Fitzgerald's first girlfriend who was the model for Daisy Buchanan.

In The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt, she has drawn from her own collection of vintage ephemera to create a novel in the unique form of a 1920's scrapbook.

She lives with her husband, the writer Christopher Tilghman, in Charlottesville, Virginia and has three mostly grown-up sons.

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Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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Profile Image for Kimberly .
blob
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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While reading this, I found myself falling in love with F. Scott Fitzgerald all over again. His words have this magical charm that just draws you in and makes you feel every emotion he is trying to convey.

I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sadness for how Ginerva treated him. The way she led him on and then broke his heart was truly heart-wrenching. It made me want to reach into the pages and protect him from the pain.

As I got closer to the ending, I had to do everything in my might not to cry. The story had such a powerful impact on me that I was completely overcome with emotion.

I really suggest reading this. It is a beautiful and poignant tale that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page. Whether you are a fan of Fitzgerald or not, this is a story that is definitely worth your time.
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OtakuGoneWild
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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F. Scott Fitzgerald's first love was a woman who became the inspiration for many of his female characters. A well-written novel has been penned about her, imagining her as "Ginevra Perry."

Ginevra King had a profound impact on Fitzgerald, and this book delves into their relationship. It provides a fascinating look at how Fitzgerald incorporated aspects of her into his works.

Readers will enjoy this exploration of Fitzgerald's first love and its connection to his literary output. It offers a good introduction to many of his works and is a fun read overall. Whether you're a fan of Fitzgerald or simply interested in a captivating story, this novel is sure to engage you.

Discover the allure of Ginevra King and how she influenced one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century.
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Procrastin_uska
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Gatsby's Girl." The story is indeed sad in multiple aspects. It reflects on the course of F. Scott Fitzgerald's life and a significant part of Ginevra Perry Granger Pullman's life as well. However, what I truly liked was the way Ginevra evolved as a character throughout the book. She came to recognize her errors and flaws, whether or not this accurately represents the real Ginevra King on whom the character is based.


I admired that she not only kept track of Scott's work, initially out of curiosity regarding what he had said "about" her, but also genuinely cared about his well-being. Additionally, Fitzgerald's ability to appraise himself with a fair degree of objectivity was remarkable. He was extraordinarily talented, yet also saw himself as a "cracked plate."


I couldn't quite fathom Fitzgerald's lifelong fascination with Ginevra. Was it mere lust? The allure of the unattainable? Or perhaps an illusion he wished to uphold in his own increasingly disappointing and dissipated life? But then again, the question of why one person is fascinated by another is a complex and often unanswerable one.


The author did an excellent job of depicting the reality of relationships. It展现了 married life's inevitable mundaneness, the distractions and temptations that come with it, as well as the dichotomy of poor parenting and the deep love parents have for their children.


Although I was a college English major, I didn't read a great deal of Fitzgerald. However, "Gatsby's Girl" has inspired me to delve deeper into his works.


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johntitor121
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Enjoyable and easy read.

Unlike many of the reviewers here, I did grow to like and sympathize with the main character, Ginevra Perry (based on Fitzgerald's young love Ginevra King).

It seems that a significant number of reviewers were anticipating a life-altering piece of literature, but this is not the case.

However, it is an entertaining, fictionalized account of the woman who served as the inspiration for some of Fitzgerald's most memorable heroines.

The story provides an interesting perspective on the relationship between Ginevra Perry and Fitzgerald, and how it may have influenced his writing.

While it may not be a profound or earth-shattering work, it is still an engaging read that offers a glimpse into the world of Fitzgerald and his muses.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or is interested in the life and works of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

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artvet
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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What I learned from this book, as if "War and Peace" didn't already teach me, is that I have a profound love for historical fiction.

Historical fiction allows me to step into the shoes of characters from different eras, experiencing their joys, sorrows, and struggles. It provides a unique window into the past, enabling me to understand the social, cultural, and political contexts that shaped those times.

Through reading historical fiction, I can explore the lives of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that influenced them. I can witness the rise and fall of empires, the impact of wars and revolutions, and the evolution of human relationships.

This genre not only entertains but also educates, expanding my knowledge and broadening my perspective. It makes history come alive in a way that textbooks never can.

Whether it's a sweeping epic or a more intimate story, historical fiction has the power to transport me to another time and place, leaving a lasting impression on my heart and mind.
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gosp07
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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A fictionalized account of Ginerva King, the muse and character basis for Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby, offers an interesting perspective. Fitzgerald, in his portrayal, made her seem more cruel and shallow than perhaps she really was. She was just a 17-year-old girl who ended things with a dreamer who was struggling in geometry and had a drinking problem. Yes, she was careless, but that's not uncommon for a teenager.


This book has the charm that it doesn't require the reader to have devoured all of Fitzgerald's works or be well-versed in his biography to enjoy it. However, being a die-hard Fitzgerald fan myself, I absolutely loved it and found it utterly fascinating.


The writer's prose is quite good, which added to my enjoyment. I picked up this book mainly because of my admiration for Fitzgerald. I wasn't really anticipating a great novel, but I was pleasantly surprised. It offers a unique look at the inspiration behind one of Fitzgerald's most iconic characters, and it's a must-read for any fan of his works or those interested in the literary world.

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zombbiii
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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DNF. Second strikeout last night.

Ginerva was truly bland. It was about as exciting as watching paint dry. There was far too much telling and not nearly enough showing.

Seriously, who in their right mind would write something like: "'I guess so,' I said in a soft, sad voice." It just lacks the vividness and engagement that good writing should have.

Readers want to be drawn into the story, to experience it for themselves, not be simply told what is happening.

The author really needs to work on their craft and find a more effective way to bring the characters and the plot to life.

Until then, Ginerva will continue to be a disappointment.
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C4stie1
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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This is a FANTASTIC book.

It is truly a fun read that grabs your attention from the very beginning.

The story is engaging and filled with exciting twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

The characters are well-developed and you can't help but become invested in their lives and adventures.

The author has a unique writing style that makes the book a joy to read.

Whether you're looking for a lighthearted escape or a thrilling adventure, this book has something for everyone.

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good book.

You won't be disappointed!
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