Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Falling for Fitzgerald

One of the big reasons I decided to take this Literature class was its inclusion of some F. Scott Fitzgerald material.  Since my middle school exposure to his work, I have adored all things FSF!  He is, hands-down, my favorite American writer – far above my second favorite, Steinbeck.  

I love the way that he describes textures, colors, and tastes. I love how brutally honest he can get when discussing things like lost love, fading beauty, lonely riches, and empty fame.  I love how his stories can transport me back to the eras in which they were written.  

His characters range from the romantic to the vapid from the honest to the evil.  Each of them has their own set of problems.  But, best of all, the characters are accessible – They seem to represent people we actually know in our current lives.  Furthermore, these characters give us a glimpse into his own personal and tragic life with his beloved Zelda.

{I love Fitzgerald so much that I’ll be talking about him/his work in some way for each of my final three posts!}

If you haven’t read much Fitz, you should definitely get on it. While The Great Gatsby might be the most popular of his works, FSF has a treasure trove of other gems.  I own a collection of his stories edited by Matthew J Bruccoli and published in 1989.  It includes over forty of his delectable short stories.

Here are my top ten picks {in alphabetical order}:

  • Bernice Bobs Her Hair
  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  • The Diamond as big as the Ritz
  • Head and Shoulders
  • The Ice Palace
  • Last Kiss
  • More than Just a House 
  • The Sensible Thing
  • The Swimmers
  • Winter Dreams

Before summer makes its official debut, pop into your local library to check-out a Fitzgerald collection.  Find a cozy spot in the shade, make some iced tea, and settle in for the ultimate in American literature!


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