I have to read this Caroline Preston because I have really enjoyed two of her other books lately.

This one didn't have the ephemera that the first did; it was all story. Ginerva is a wealthy debutante kind of girl, whose parents are borderline snobbish. She is a bit rebellious and gets in trouble with a boy. To make her more responsible, her parents ship her off to boarding school.

Ginerva quickly falls back into her old ways of being a rebel at this all-girl school. She attends a party in St. Paul that introduces her to a man she will care about for the rest of her days, a budding would-be writer named Scott Fitzgerald. Scott shows his affection for the drink from the first scene we have with him. He also displays his wit and charm, and we can envision those good looks and flowery prose he is known for.

Scott is not the kind of man Ginerva's parents want her to marry or even hang around with. We all know that Scott gets dumped in some way because we know he will be married to Zelda until the end of his days. You just have to read the book to see why he and Ginerva were not together.

Don't forget that this is a fictionalized book based on real-life people. I have read many books on the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and this is the first time I thought, I wonder if his life could have been different if he took a different path? Then I question, would he have been such a brilliant writer without the struggles and trials he faced?

I had never heard of this book before. However, since I have a penchant for historical fiction and a great admiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald, I decided to give it a try. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed in the slightest!

The story mainly revolves around a girl whom Fitzgerald dated briefly but continued to correspond with during his college years. Although Fitzgerald is a secondary character, he significantly shapes much of her life.

The setting of the book is in Lake Forest, Illinois, which I find really cool. What I particularly like about this book is that it is not overly romantic or sentimental. It presents a more realistic and nuanced portrayal of relationships and life during that era.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or is a fan of F. Scott Fitzgerald. It offers a unique perspective and a captivating story that will keep you engaged from start to finish.

F. Scott Fitzgerald has an interesting history and background. He was a prominent figure in the literary world during the Jazz Age.

His works often explored themes of love, wealth, and the pursuit of the American Dream. However, despite this fascinating context, I found myself unable to fully engage with one of his books.

The heroine, who was based on a real girl Fitzgerald had dated, failed to capture my interest. While parts of the book were fictionalized, it seems that the author's attempts to bring her to life didn't resonate with me.

Perhaps it was the way she was portrayed or the choices she made throughout the story. Whatever the reason, I just couldn't find it in myself to care enough about her.

This lack of connection with the main character ultimately affected my overall enjoyment of the book.

Our protagonist is extremely difficult to root for - but that is precisely the point.

I dedicated a great deal of the book to attempting to understand why Ginevra would have such a powerful hold over Fitzgerald. However, that is exactly the "mystery" that the author is also striving to solve.

The story commences slowly, but as the characters grow older - and Fitzgerald attains success as a writer - I discovered that my enjoyment increased significantly.

My appreciation for the book rose even further after perusing the historical accuracies of the events that I had just read, which are presented in the last 10 pages or so of the book. It is truly fascinating stuff.

Overall, this book offers a unique and engaging exploration of the complex relationship between Ginevra and Fitzgerald, along with a captivating look at the historical context in which their story unfolds.

Fantastic historical fiction! It is based on the actual lives and letters of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his muse, his first love, Ginevra King.

In the book, the author fictionalizes her name to Ginevra Perry and provides the most stimulating account of the life of pre-war debutantes. These debutantes quickly found themselves in a situation where they didn't necessarily want to or were forced to change with post-WWI, closely followed by the stock market crash. Then, with all the social and technological changes brought on by both wars.

I love how the author weaves us through F. Scott Fitzgerald's first encounter with Ginevra, mid-life encounters with Zelda and Ginevra, and then finally, one last encounter with her just before he dies. All while using the actual letters/history of Fitzgerald and interviews with his daughter Scottie or just the historical documents on file.

Again, I almost forget this was fictionalized. The real Ginevra King was scant with her info, and I think she eloquently stated the perfect reason: maybe she resented the implication that her very short romance with Scott Fitzgerald when she was just 16 was the only interesting event in her life. Touché!

But for Fitzgerald, she was pivotal. I knew there was a first girlfriend of Fitzgerald and that she was the inspiration for a book, but I thought it was only one book and that Zelda inspired the majority of his work. Little did I know!!

So glad I read this to give more info on the makeup of Fitzgerald. Again, though this is fictionalized, Preston does an impressive job of making her characters come to life.

I will read many of the books the author cites in her Historical note disclaimer. There is also a great Q&A with the author at the end of the book. What a gem of a read!

A good read indeed! I was truly impressed by the seamless blend of historical biographical information about F. Scott Fitzgerald and the fictional story. It was like a well-crafted puzzle where each piece fit perfectly. This unique combination not only made the book engaging but also left me with a burning desire to uncover more about F. Scott Fitzgerald's life. His was a life filled with both glamour and tragedy, set against the backdrop of a fascinating time in recent American history. The era he lived in was one of great change and upheaval, and his works captured the essence of that period. I can't wait to explore further and learn more about this remarkable author and the world he inhabited.

A Glimpse into the Life of the Gal Who May Have Been F. Scott Fitzgerald's Muse

Here we get a fascinating look into the life of a woman who might have served as the inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald. The story is beautifully written and truly enjoyable. It's one that we can all identify with. At some point in our lives, we have all found ourselves pondering, "If I had chosen that person over this person, how different would my life have been?" This thought-provoking question makes us reflect on the choices we've made and the paths we've taken. The woman in this story likely had her own share of such dilemmas and decisions. Her life may have been filled with romance, heartbreak, and moments of self-discovery. As we read about her, we can't help but imagine how her experiences might have influenced Fitzgerald's writing. Maybe her story became the foundation for some of his most memorable characters and plots. It's truly captivating to think about the possible connection between this woman and one of the greatest American authors.

How I Came To Read This Book:

I read 'The Great Gatsby' last year and my friend knew I really liked it. Hence this book ended up in my Xmas gift last year.

The Plot:

This book is a fictionalized retelling of the life of Ginevra King, the supposed muse for many of F. Scott Fitzgerald's women, including Daisy Buchanan in 'Gatsby'. In the book, we follow the fictionalized Ginevra Perry through her whirlwind written romance with Fitzgerald. As Fitzgerald's literary star rises, Ginevra chooses a conventional path, and the moments they shared are played out again and again in his work. Surprisingly, the encounters Ginevra has with Scott are actually real. The book dramatizes Ginevra's non-Fitzgerald life, including scandalous relationships, strained family bonds, and the transformation of a promising woman into a desperate one.

The Good & The Bad:

I have nothing bad to say about this book, except that sometimes Ginevra seemed a bit too much like a modern Millie to be a realistic 1910/20/30 protagonist. However, the writing was nearly effortless, a great blend of literary fiction and mass market appeal. Although Ginevra's life is largely fictional, the fact that she actually existed and was so prevalent in Fitzgerald's work is fascinating. Despite the somewhat stodgy context of the plot lines, Preston manages to make Ginevra's take on major events like the world wars, the stock market crash, and the depression make sense for her character, without feeling contrived. Ginevra herself is a realistic character who grows over the pages, from a flighty, vain teenager to a hollowed-out, wistful matron. In some ways, it would have been interesting to explore her darkest days in more depth, but given the focus on her romantic connection with Fitzgerald and the time period covered, it makes sense that the book emphasizes the most salacious elements of her existence.

The Bottom Line:

An incredibly readable book that keeps you engaged, with a helpful and interesting afterword about the historical accuracies of certain plot points.

Anything Memorable?:

Not in particular, but if you've read 'Gatsby' or other texts mentioned in this book, you'll enjoy seeing Ginevra come to life on the page.

50-Book Challenge: Book #50 in 2010 (!)

The original article: The importance of learning English cannot be ignored. It is a global language that is widely used in various fields. Mastering English can open up more opportunities for personal and professional development.

Expanded article:

The importance of learning English truly cannot be ignored. It stands as a global language, one that is incredibly widely used across various fields. Whether it's in the realm of business, where international communication is crucial for success, or in the academic world, where access to a wealth of knowledge is often in English, its significance cannot be overstated.

Mastering English has the power to open up a plethora of more opportunities for both personal and professional development. It allows individuals to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds, broadening their horizons and enhancing their understanding of the world. In the professional sphere, it can lead to better job prospects, higher salaries, and the ability to work on international projects.

In conclusion, learning English is not just an option but a necessity in today's interconnected world. It is a skill that can bring numerous benefits and help individuals achieve their goals and aspirations.

Super fast read.

It is very interesting.

The author claims it is more fiction than historical fiction. However, when the differences were clearly stated in the Author's Note, it appeared to be quite historical fiction to me.

A few names were altered and the conversations were fabricated, but this is usually the case anyway.

Regardless of these details, it is a fun read.

The story likely takes the reader on an exciting journey through a fictionalized version of a historical period.

Even though some elements are not strictly historical, the overall atmosphere and events create an engaging narrative.

Readers who enjoy a blend of history and imagination will surely find this book entertaining.

It offers a unique perspective on the past, allowing readers to explore different aspects of a bygone era.

Whether it is the fictionalized conversations or the changed names, they all contribute to making the story more captivating and enjoyable.

In conclusion, despite its classification as more fiction than historical fiction, this book has the potential to provide a fun and engaging reading experience for those interested in history and fiction alike.

The text "Very fluffy, but seemingly well researched." is rather concise. To expand it, we could say:

It is extremely fluffy, almost like a cloud of softness. However, despite its appearance of being light and perhaps not overly serious, it seems to be very well researched.

One can't help but be initially drawn in by its fluffiness, which gives it an inviting and approachable quality. But as one delves deeper, it becomes evident that there is a significant amount of research that has gone into it.

The details and facts presented suggest a thorough investigation and a solid understanding of the subject matter. It's as if the fluffiness is just a guise, hiding the depth and substance that lies beneath.

This combination of fluffiness and well-researched content makes it a unique and interesting piece, capable of attracting a wide range of readers.

Originally, I had this perception that this book would offer insights into the girl from Fitzgerald's perspective. However, it turned out to be the opposite. The book presented a challenge for me as the main character was rather unlikable. It was a struggle to engage with the story because of this. Nevertheless, despite this drawback, it was still an okay book. There were certain aspects of the plot and the writing style that managed to hold my attention to some extent. It wasn't a masterpiece by any means, but it had its redeeming qualities. I found myself persevering through the pages, hoping to discover something more profound or interesting. In the end, while it didn't completely win me over, it wasn't a total waste of time either.