Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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100 reviews
July 14,2025
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Quick read.

It is interesting, but in my opinion, it is not really an insightful look at Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald is a renowned American author, and a more in-depth analysis would have been beneficial.

The article may have provided some basic information, but it failed to truly explore the complexity of Fitzgerald's works and his life.

To gain a better understanding of Fitzgerald, one would need to study his novels, short stories, and personal correspondence.

These sources would reveal the themes, motifs, and literary techniques that he used to create his masterpieces.

Furthermore, an examination of Fitzgerald's personal life, including his relationships, alcoholism, and financial struggles, would provide valuable context for his work.

In conclusion, while the article was an interesting read, it did not offer a comprehensive or insightful look at Fitzgerald.

To truly appreciate his genius, one must dig deeper and explore the many facets of his life and work.
July 14,2025
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Essentially, this is a work of Real Person Fiction that delves into the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his first "love." It is truly remarkable how well-written this piece is. The author has managed to capture the essence of Fitzgerald and his relationship with such authenticity and sympathy.


As one reads through the story, it becomes evident that a great deal of research has been done. The details are vivid and bring the characters to life. The emotions are palpable, making it easy for the reader to empathize with Fitzgerald and his experiences.


Overall, this is a captivating and well-crafted work that offers a unique perspective on the life of a literary giant. It is a must-read for fans of Fitzgerald and anyone interested in exploring the world of Real Person Fiction.

July 14,2025
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I decided to read this book as I'm engaged in writing a story about marital problems and required some reading material to assist me in reflecting on this topic. My story is set in the contemporary era, while this book is set in the 1920s. However, it has been equally helpful to me.


What I initially liked about the book was how it demonstrated that reading about characters similar to ourselves can aid us in reflecting on our lives and contribute to self-improvement. Ginevra, the first love of F. Scott, is envisioned by the author as a self-centered rich girl. She is not alone in this regard. Just like in Edith Wharton's novels, this book shows how girls of their class and time were brought up to view winning the hearts of many men as a game, snagging a rich and attractive husband as a prize, and not to pursue personal fulfillment or even become nurturing wives and mothers (as servants were expected to take care of their families). Meanwhile, boys were raised to consider finding a wealthy beauty as a triumph and to acquire property rather than create a home as their main life goal. This led to a great deal of personal emptiness and unhappy homes, ultimately resulting in divorce.


The heroine comes to understand the reasons for the emptiness in her life when she studies the portraits of herself in Scott's books and stories. And eventually, she attains a satisfactory life, becoming a better wife and mother.


Despite all of this, the book is by no means a boring moralistic novel. The allure of the 1920s is evoked through period details such as elegant fashion and old movies.


Some of the problems presented in the book are still relevant to our times. Most of the women in the book marry simply for the sake of marrying, more in love with the idea of being in love than with the man himself. They are too self-indulgent to nurture their families until they perceive serious problems, and by then, it is often too late. There will always be selfish people who will destroy the lives of others. This is why we will always be appalled by Daisy and Judy Jones, who were based on Ginevra.

July 14,2025
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I absolutely loved it!

The Great Gatsby is truly one of my all-time favorite books. Reading this again was an extremely refreshing experience for me. I have a deep affection for F. Scott Fitzgerald. I have always had a great enjoyment for historical fiction and period pieces, and this particular one did not disappoint me in the slightest.

I truly believe that in a past life, I might have been a teenager or a young adult during the 1920s. The story is so engaging and captivating that it makes me feel as if I have been transported back in time. It is a fun read that keeps you hooked from the very beginning until the end.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in history, literature, or just enjoys a good story. It is a classic that will continue to be loved and cherished for generations to come.
July 14,2025
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I firmly believe that The Great Gatsby encompasses some of the most exquisite writing of the 20th century. F. Scott Fitzgerald's depictions of the overprivileged and aimless young adults in a society oblivious to the major changes即将来临 have always held a special allure for me, an outsider observing from afar. Coincidentally, Fitzgerald himself was somewhat of an outsider in that world. Much of his early acquaintance with it stemmed from his romance with a young Chicago pre-debutante named Ginevra King during his Princeton years. In Gatsby's Girl, Caroline Preston has masterfully intertwined the known facts about their relationship into a novel that delves into how it influenced both of them in the years following its conclusion.

Fitzgerald admitted on numerous occasions, including in conversations with his daughter, that several of his female characters were inspired by his memories and impressions of his first love, Ginevra, and what he envisioned had become of her. Caroline Preston reimagines Ginevra as a fictional character once again here, renamed Ginevra Perry, perhaps in recognition of one of the characters she inspired, Josephine Perry, the protagonist of several of Fitzgerald's short stories.

The real Ginevra King claimed not to have read any of Fitzgerald's works or followed his career, but fictional Ginevra Perry couldn't make the same assertion. One aspect I might note about Ginevra Perry is that beneath the surface, she is rather shallow. Her infatuation with Scott Fitzgerald fades even as his feelings for her appear to intensify. When her father deems him not "suitable," she requires little more persuasion to cast him aside. By then, she has already set her sights on the dashing would-be aviator Billy Granger. At Scott's request, she discards all the letters he wrote to her - although, thirty-odd years later, she discovers that he did not do the same.

When she unexpectedly discovers that her former beau has become an acclaimed author - and the toast of the expatriate community in Paris, along with his wife Zelda, regarded as the original "flapper" of the Roaring '20s - Ginevra becomes preoccupied with "the one that got away," commencing a clip file on Scott and catching up on all of his books. In several of his characters - Isabelle in This Side of Paradise, Josephine Perry, and The Great Gatsby's Daisy Buchanan - she recognizes herself, and this fuels both her renewed fascination with Scott and her discontent with her own life as the wife of Billy and mother of two boys.

The premise of this novel piqued my interest, and the early-20th-century time period intrigues me. I found Gatsby's Girl to be a quick and captivating read. Even though it was sometimes challenging to like Ginevra, it wasn't difficult to understand and empathize with her. It must be a curious experience to discover that you're a muse.
July 14,2025
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I don't know how to review a book. Let's get that out of the way.


I simply put into words what I felt, thought and tasted. Though sometimes I could be harsh when I'm being a book snob, which unfortunately I am.


"Gatsby's Girl" is a sad, nostalgic love story. It's heartbreaking yet illuminated. The way the characters come alive is truly remarkable. Ginevra gets under your skin, and Scott - blonde, melodramatic, eccentric - is everywhere in the background. And then there's Julian. Oh Julian. He was gone too soon, but I can still taste his sweetness in my mouth.


The way Ginevra and Scott's lives take their own course away from each other but not quite is captivating. There was always a fleeting thought between them. And the dim glow of an era I've always wanted to live in adds an extra layer of charm.


Truly a tour de force. When I read the historical notes at the end, I was confused that this book was not what really happened to Ginevra and Scott. This book swept me in completely.


"Love stories make me cry, even when they turn out happily. Because the best part has come to an end." Maybe I cried because I was afraid that this might be the best part of my romance with Scott - an illicit pair hiding in a dark theater, our upturned faces bathed in stage light.


He reached over and tenderly wiped each eye with his thumb. "What nonsense. Why can't we live the best parts over and over again?"


This book is not just a story; it's an experience that takes you on an emotional journey through love, loss, and the allure of a bygone era. It makes you question your own beliefs about love and what it means to truly live in the moment.


The writing is beautiful and descriptive, painting a vivid picture in your mind. You can almost smell the cigarette smoke and feel the heat of the summer nights.


Overall, "Gatsby's Girl" is a must-read for anyone who loves a good love story or is interested in the history and culture of the 1920s. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.
July 14,2025
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Love Fitzgerald, don't love a mediocre knock off.

I truly believe that the author took far too many liberties with the main characters.

Yes, it is a work of fiction, but everything was so aggravatingly predictable.

It was as if she developed the characters in a way that simply didn't seem believable.

It felt like she was only doing it to neatly tie everything into a moral at the end.

This kind of forced character development and predictable plotline really takes away from the overall enjoyment of the story.

When reading, I was constantly left feeling disappointed and unengaged.

Fitzgerald's works are known for their depth, complexity, and unexpected twists.

This particular piece, however, failed to capture any of those qualities.

It was a mediocre attempt at creating a story that paled in comparison to the brilliance of Fitzgerald's original works.

July 14,2025
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Fitzgerald? It's not. But here is an easy way to get your fix of the Jazz Age when you've gone through all your Fitzgerald titles for the umteenth time.

Instead of constantly rereading Fitzgerald's works, you can explore other aspects of the Jazz Age. For example, listen to the music of that era. The lively and energetic jazz tunes can transport you right back to the Roaring Twenties.

You can also watch movies or documentaries set in the Jazz Age. These visual mediums can provide a vivid portrayal of the fashion, culture, and social scene of that time.

Additionally, reading books by other authors who wrote about the Jazz Age can offer new perspectives and insights. There are many talented writers who captured the essence of that exciting era in their works.

By exploring these different avenues, you can satisfy your craving for the Jazz Age and discover new and interesting aspects of this fascinating period in history.
July 14,2025
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I selected this novel for a specific reason. I have taught The Great Gatsby an incredibly large number of times, almost a million and one times. However, it's important to note that The Great Gatsby is not actually my favorite novel.

Because of this, I was eager to see what Preston had to offer with this new work.

The novel starts off quite well, immediately drawing the reader in and setting an interesting tone.

But as it progresses, it seems to lose some of its momentum and fades in the middle.

Thankfully, towards the end, it manages to regain some of its former glory and comes back strong.

If you are familiar with Fitzgerald's works and have an appreciation for his style, then this novel is definitely worth a read. It may not be on the same level as The Great Gatsby, but it has its own unique charm and qualities that make it an interesting addition to the literary landscape.

Overall, while it has its flaws, I found Preston's novel to be an engaging and thought-provoking read.
July 14,2025
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Ginevra King - the renowned pre-J.K. Rowling Ginevra.

It is truly fascinating to envision her using Fitzgerald as a touchstone in the same way he did for her.

This work was mainly read because a significant portion of it is set in Lake Forest.

The story of Ginevra King and her connection to Fitzgerald is a captivating one.

Her life and experiences, as presented in this account, offer a unique perspective.

Set against the backdrop of Lake Forest, the narrative unfolds with a certain charm and allure.

The use of Fitzgerald as a touchstone adds an extra layer of depth and complexity to the story.

It makes one wonder about the nature of their relationship and how it influenced both of them.

Overall, this exploration of Ginevra King is an engaging and thought-provoking read.
July 14,2025
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A fun, breezy read awaits you as this book uses F. Scott Fitzgerald and his "first love", Ginevra King (known as Ginevra Perry in the book) as characters for an entirely fictional story.

It takes you on an imaginative journey through their supposed relationship, filled with the charm and allure of the era.

The author's note at the end is a great addition, clearly laying out what was and wasn't accurate. This helps the reader to distinguish between the fictional elements and the real-life history.

If you are a fan of "The Paris Wife" and "Z: A novel of Zelda Fitzgerald", then you will surely enjoy this book.

It offers a similar exploration of the lives and loves of the Fitzgeralds, but with a unique fictional twist.

So, pick up this book and get ready to be entertained by a story that combines fact and fiction in a delightful way.
July 14,2025
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I really enjoyed this creative envisioning of this lady's life.

Personally, I would have much preferred to have read the Author's notes on the accurate/fictitious parts before I delved into the book! (It was unfortunately placed at the end of the book and the book had no table of contents, which was a bit of an inconvenience.)

I truly liked the progression of her maturing and life. It didn't turn into a typical romantic ending perhaps, but rather a realistic one that felt more true to life. In fact, it did remind me of the progression of the protagonist in City of Girls - a book that also chronicles the journey of a young lady to adulthood.

The way the author depicted the character's growth and the various experiences she went through was engaging and thought-provoking. It made me reflect on my own life and the choices we all make as we grow and change.

Overall, I found this book to be an interesting and enjoyable read, despite the small issue with the placement of the Author's notes. I would recommend it to others who enjoy character-driven stories that explore the themes of成长 and self-discovery.
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