The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Tales of the Jazz Age

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Tales of the Jazz Age

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  • Create Date:2021-06-30 09:55:25
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
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  • Author:F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • ISBN:0007925506
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Summary

I shall tell you what occurred, and let you judge for yourself。

Pour two shots of whiskey in a cocktail shaker。 Add the fog of a Havana cigar, a generous dollop of Cole Porter's playful rhythms, and top up with equal parts aspiration, decadence, loss, and despair。 Shake vigorously。 The result: F。 Scott Fitzgerald's Tales of the Jazz Age: ten enchanting tales of the Roaring Twenties' Lost Generation。 Featuring the unforgettable Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the incredible tale of a life lived in reverse, this collection is a fierce portrayal of Fitzgerald's ambivalent vision of the American Dream。

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Reviews

Nick H

The title story is fun, if more of a novelty than anything。 It’s mostly a great read by association- namely, to see how towering an achievement of adaptation was made by Fincher and his screenwriters on the film version。 The other three stories didn’t say much of anything to me。 THE DIAMOND AS BIG AS THE RITZ had its moments, and there was some pretty funny commentary in there, but after a while it became tiresome。 O RUSSET WITCH started to spark something, but ultimately I’ve seen other stories The title story is fun, if more of a novelty than anything。 It’s mostly a great read by association- namely, to see how towering an achievement of adaptation was made by Fincher and his screenwriters on the film version。 The other three stories didn’t say much of anything to me。 THE DIAMOND AS BIG AS THE RITZ had its moments, and there was some pretty funny commentary in there, but after a while it became tiresome。 O RUSSET WITCH started to spark something, but ultimately I’ve seen other stories address its main concept in a much more affecting way。 [LIBRARY AUDIOBOOK] 。。。more

Irene

The title story was definitely the best one of the book。 Overall I found it very underwhelming。

Scuffed Granny

Previously, I have found F。 Scott Fitzgerald's writing to hold little appeal to me as I found The Great Gatsby uninspiring and superficial。 However, when starting the collection that contains The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, I was pleasantly surprised。The edition that I read houses not only the eponymous title but also stories that were previously published as Jazz Age Stories so I also read The Diamond as Big as the Ritz, another famous Fitzgerald creation。 And I have to say that his collec Previously, I have found F。 Scott Fitzgerald's writing to hold little appeal to me as I found The Great Gatsby uninspiring and superficial。 However, when starting the collection that contains The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, I was pleasantly surprised。The edition that I read houses not only the eponymous title but also stories that were previously published as Jazz Age Stories so I also read The Diamond as Big as the Ritz, another famous Fitzgerald creation。 And I have to say that his collection was mixed。The opener was a tale called The Offshore Pirate which was lighthearted, telling of a hijacking resulting in an idyllic island sojourn and romance。 It reminded me in tone of an old style Hollywood movie and I loved it。 There were many more stories in this vein, telling of japes and high jinks, late night parties and engagements - nothing too taxing at all, just tales of privileged white folk which were evocative of the era in which they are set。As my reading progressed, the stories became darker and the humour, when present, had a sharper, more sardonic edge and I found that they were harder to read in terms of the content。 As Benjamin Button occurred towards the end of this collection, it is fair to say that it presented itself as a story lacking frivolity。 In fact, the premise is the most exciting thing about the story, the idea of an elderly man being born and then regressing as time goes by, getting younger until he is a baby again, is original and I was expecting the tale to reflect in its telling its absurdity and its wonder。 It did neither。 It is about a man frustrated with his life with little scope given to its fascinating quality really and maybe this is the point: that life can be turned on its head completely but still disappoint, irritate and remain unfulfilling。The Diamond as Big as the Ritz was also a story which surprised, reading like a parable of the distorting effects of excessive wealth, which is relevant today。 I couldn't decide if it was meant to be funny or damning。 Perhaps both。Fitgerald's book prompted a mixed reaction with me; some of the stories were entertaining and light and I flew through their flightiness; some I found oppressive and dark and was glad to finish them。This review was first published on Reedsy Discovery。 。。。more

Jessie (Zombie_likes_cake)

Making it official: I do not care for Fitzgerald, not one bit。 "The Great Gatsby" was a High School assignment for me and I heavily disliked it but I am also aware that when judging the books we were forced to read for school we don't always make the best calls。 So I was up for giving him a second chance at some point, dreading my feet but here I am。 I mean he is very beloved even among readers who don't always love classic literature。 I thought "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" would be a g Making it official: I do not care for Fitzgerald, not one bit。 "The Great Gatsby" was a High School assignment for me and I heavily disliked it but I am also aware that when judging the books we were forced to read for school we don't always make the best calls。 So I was up for giving him a second chance at some point, dreading my feet but here I am。 I mean he is very beloved even among readers who don't always love classic literature。 I thought "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" would be a good choice because the story actually sounded interesting to me, also by choosing a collection I could try several pieces in one go。 I thought this was a smart move。But I don't get the love, I really don't。 I don't like his writing, I don't like what he is saying, I don't like the casually infused racism, I don't like the heavy weight on satire and then the moments when I am not sure if he is still satirizing or this time actually glorifying the lifestyle, I don't seem to enjoy the settings he chooses or the characters he introduces us to and the endless focus on rich people: Nothing about his stories is appealing to me。So, I first read the title story, about how Benjamin Button is born old and then slowly ages back into a baby。 Great concept, incredibly lame execution。 I felt like none of the potentially interesting themes got a chance to get explored here, I am not even sure what Fitzgerald's commentary on aging would be。 I was bothered how we learn about the father-son relationship but the mother (who somehow birthed a fully grown man) is not really mentioned in this at all。 I expected it to be about an old looking man with the heart of child who then turns younger looking but wiser, yeah no, when he is old he is old but his father insists on treating him his "age" and that's where the problem's of not fitting in arise。 I was baffled by the choices, by the display of marriage, by how Benjamin didn't seem to learn a thing about life。 I thought the story did not work and wasted its potential。 According to internet sources a commentary on the lost WWI generation, I didn't get that or anything else out of it。I then moved on to read 2 highly praised stories, "The Ice Palace" and "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz"。 The latter is similar to "Gatsby" in that Fitzgerald simultaneously satirizes rich people but also wallows in the display of wealth and luxury, a combination I do not like and actually find a bit problematic。 The inclusion of slavery is similarly weird, he seems to criticize the specific use of these over the top rich people here but generally the characters (and himself) are just fine with slavery in general。 I know, we are in the 20s but somehow I didn't see him as a racist, not sure what to think now。 Several comments in these stories show he hasn't anything of value to say about the treatment of black people。 Then I read "The Ice Palace" and was left with the feeling that this was a pro-South story where we praise the dying lifestyle and mourn confederate soldiers who died for the good cause? I really felt like I didn't get the subtleties here because I was left with the feeling that the story supported Sally-Carroll's view of Northern and Southern stereotyped characteristics down to being upset that in the North men don't flirt with her anymore now that she is engaged。。。 I actually believe that I truly didn't get his points here but I was left with such a bad taste from so many lines and moments that it doesn't matter anymore if I just don't understand what he is saying or if this is really what he is saying。After that I dipped in and out of several stories trying to find something that would work for me until I thought, "WHY"? I don't need this, force myself to like a white dead guy with some very white dead guy attitudes and a writing style that just is not for me。 I'd be happy to hear what other people like about his writing, what they take away from it but I am personally done here and will move on to books that deserve my time。 。。。more

Mohammad Ashkar

Unfortunately that was a very boring book that I couldn't finish! Unfortunately that was a very boring book that I couldn't finish! 。。。more

Brent

3。5/5Somewhat hit or miss with each short story。The story The Curious Case of Benjamin Button itself is largely dissimilar from the 2008 film。 They really only share an alike concept of a man aging backward, and the similarities end there!

sara

An introductory collection to the diversity and variety of F。Scott。Fitzgerald。 This showcases the many sides of his writing throughout the years, stories that are amusing that make the reader laugh to more serious and emotional matters of the time。 It takes readers back to what life was like, giving us snapshots of the past, feelings and concerns of the characters as well as important culture and history。 His writing is so beautiful and detailed, it is enjoyable and beautiful to experience and t An introductory collection to the diversity and variety of F。Scott。Fitzgerald。 This showcases the many sides of his writing throughout the years, stories that are amusing that make the reader laugh to more serious and emotional matters of the time。 It takes readers back to what life was like, giving us snapshots of the past, feelings and concerns of the characters as well as important culture and history。 His writing is so beautiful and detailed, it is enjoyable and beautiful to experience and takes the readers somewhere else into the worlds and characters that he has created。 At times, it can be hard to relate to the characters or connect to the words, since F。Scott。Fitzgerald's writing style can be unaccessible and many of these stories were written 100 years ago, but I only experienced that briefly throughout reading this collection。 The flaws of the time do shine through his stories, I admire how imperfect and different his characters were。 None of the stories felt too similar, each was unique and focused on a different plot。 I enjoyed reading this collection, besides a few stories, it was overall very well-written and I liked it。Since my review is too long, if you are interested in reading my reviews for each short story, click here: https://toolongreviews。wordpress。com/。。。 。。。more

Kelsey Chao

I only read The Curious Case of Benjamin Button but I thought it was exceptional。 After only reading The Great Gatsby for school and then watching the short story's 2008 movie adaptation on Netflix, I knew I had to check this out from my local library and read it。 Anyways, I thought it was fascinating, despite not measuring up to the movie。 His family was quite rude to him, which was kinda upsetting, and they didn't seem at all taken aback by his unique condition。 The character development was l I only read The Curious Case of Benjamin Button but I thought it was exceptional。 After only reading The Great Gatsby for school and then watching the short story's 2008 movie adaptation on Netflix, I knew I had to check this out from my local library and read it。 Anyways, I thought it was fascinating, despite not measuring up to the movie。 His family was quite rude to him, which was kinda upsetting, and they didn't seem at all taken aback by his unique condition。 The character development was lackluster, even for the narrator, but there was only so much Fitzgerald could do in a short story。 Then again, maybe I'm just not used to old books。 But I would read it again! 。。。more

William N。

Only wanted to read Benjamin Buttons this time。Albeit depressing, it is a well-written short story, one of his best, which I always enjoy。 It makes one think, deeply。

Judith

I just love these short story compilations!

Kim

This collection showcases the spectacular ability of F Scott Fitzgerald to capture the essence of the Jazz Age, the world of wealthy Americans in the early twentieth century, and moral failings ill-concealed by money and privilege。 In short, the same themes permeating his best-known work - The Great Gatsby。It turns out that in addition to being a jazz age scion, the spouse of Zelda, an alcoholic who died at age 44 from complications of alcohol abuse, and a peculiarly interesting character in Ame This collection showcases the spectacular ability of F Scott Fitzgerald to capture the essence of the Jazz Age, the world of wealthy Americans in the early twentieth century, and moral failings ill-concealed by money and privilege。 In short, the same themes permeating his best-known work - The Great Gatsby。It turns out that in addition to being a jazz age scion, the spouse of Zelda, an alcoholic who died at age 44 from complications of alcohol abuse, and a peculiarly interesting character in American literary history, Fitzgerald was a prolific short-story writer。 (I had no idea about this)。 The only story in this collection I'd heard of in advance was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and that story was the reason I picked this book up。 After watching about half of the Brad Pitt version, I thought to check out the story instead。 Never did finish the movie。As it turns out, there are several much more compelling stories in this collection, although Benjamin Button is certainly as creative and unique as one might hope。 The Camel's Back tells of a young man who seeks solace in the bottle - and his friends - after a miscommunication leading him to believe he has been rejected by his fiancee。 Eventually, thoroughly soused, he attends a masquerade ball disguised as a camel, and of course the errant fiancee is not only in attendance, but is thoroughly enchanted by the disguised gentleman。 May Day contrasts the fortunes of two college graduates - one wealthy, one penniless - and intertwines their stories with those of two returning WWI soldiers and a young, shallow woman。 In this, Fitzgerald's prejudices and beliefs seep through: There is casual bigotry and racism, which, in context, does not seem unusual for the era。 Women are portrayed as heartless and gay (and I mean that in the Jazz Age version of the word), powdered and primped, the objects of desire but not of respect。 There is a portrayal of a 1919 anti-Communist riot。 Money purchases access to luxury but not kindness or civility, and the story ends with tragedy。The Diamond as Big as the Ritz is purely fantastical - taking the concept of wealth to the extreme。 In this, a young man accompanies a school friend home to his estate during vacation, never realizing that the other student's seeming exaggerations - walls made of gemstones, a diamond as big as the Ritz - are really true。 Garish, tasteless, and amoral, the family with bottomless wealth ultimately pays a heavy price for their lack of conscience。The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is mostly interesting for two reasons: how it addresses the theme of dealing with the unexpected (a person aging in reverse) and for the odd concept of having a person age entirely in reverse。 As a fan of fantasy, this was a little hard for me to swallow: there was not any world-building at all or any explanation for how a full-grown elderly male could magically appear from his mother's womb。 However, if you suspend disbelief, Fitzgerald deals with the concept of a father who appears younger than his son and a son who appears older than his father with creativity。 It is very different from the movie version。"O Russet Witch" tells of Merlin, a bookseller, who is briefly tempted to seize happiness and take a chance in his twenties, but spends his entire life avoiding risks and avoiding happiness。 It's a bit odd。The Lees of Happiness tell of two couples - really, the focus is on just one - who begin their married lives with joy but find that things don't turn out as expected。 Perhaps this one is a little maudlin but it is probably among the most realistic of the bunch, and it's rather sad。 All in, this was rather fascinating。 I didn't love every story (I didn't bother to review five of them) but Fitzgerald was a master storyteller, and these are an amazing snapshot of that period in time。 So often when we read historical fiction we see present-day views imposed on prior-era morality and behavior。 The simple truth is that some things about people remain the same over time; history tends to repeat itself; and people are a product of the times in which they live。 So this was an engaging experience to read some historical fiction that wasn't actually historical fiction when it was written。 These stories were published in literary magazines and newspapers, and publications that, for all intents and purposes, were probably intended to be discarded after reading。 They were written for readers who would have recognized themselves and people they knew in their characters。 I loved that the portrayals were unfiltered。 It was rather refreshing。All in, if you like short stories, this is a pretty excellent read。 Could have done without the five I didn't review。 。。。more

Suncerae

The Good: Captivating ideas; historical significanceThe Bad: Plots feel unfinished; characters unsympatheticThe Literary: Fitzgerald is widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th centuryOne of the most famous American writers of the 20th century, F。 Scott Fitzgerald is best known for his novel The Great Gatsby, with its many adaptations。 Collected here are four of Fitzgerald's short stories, all written in the early 1920s。Each of these short stories or novellas is based The Good: Captivating ideas; historical significanceThe Bad: Plots feel unfinished; characters unsympatheticThe Literary: Fitzgerald is widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th centuryOne of the most famous American writers of the 20th century, F。 Scott Fitzgerald is best known for his novel The Great Gatsby, with its many adaptations。 Collected here are four of Fitzgerald's short stories, all written in the early 1920s。Each of these short stories or novellas is based on an interesting premise and is uniquely standalone。 They are quite situated in their time and place, and reflect decadence and elitism that, to me at least, doesn't read as satire。 So much of it is sexist and racist, with unsympathetic and unrelatable characters, and plots that feel like writing experiments。Let's look at the stories one by one。 Before we move ahead, be aware that unlike my other reviews, this one contains spoilers。"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" — Having seen the film adaption, I'm surprised by the humor in this fantasy story of a man who is born in his seventies and ages backwards。 Benjamin's life is a high-level decade-spanning overview of everyone who doesn't believe in his ailment, while he himself is a product of his hormones and the pressures of his peers, until he is forgotten by his family and fades into early childhood。"The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" is full of characters who prioritize wealth over life, are careless or complicit in theft and murder, and are bored in the way only rich kids can be。 Percy admires the wealth of the his boarding school mate John, and they visit John's family's mountain estate that isn't found on any maps。 The estate doesn't pay any taxes and isn't included in any census, and the father keeps the diamond supply down to maintain prices。 Their father is so secretive that he routinely murders the friends and family who visit them, shoots down any aircraft that flies over, and never plans to inform their black slaves that slavery was abolished。 Percy falls in love with John's sister who wanted to be a war nurse when she was young, but since the war is over, her father offers to start another for her。 They laugh over what an adventure it must be to be poor。"Tarquin of Cheapside" is a nonsensical dada-esque story that wants to be poetry。 On a quiet evening reading The Faerie Queen, a frantic pounding on the door disturbs the narrator and his friend Wessel。 The man known as Soft Shoes is running for his life, exhausted and afraid, and they decide to hide him in a trapdoor in the ceiling。 Once the pursuers are gone, Wessel demands an explanation, at which point Soft Shoes spends all night writing his story。 In the morning, he reads it, and it is the Rape of Lucrece。"O Russet Witch!" is the most character based tale of the collection and begins with a quiet young man who works in a bookshop but longs after a vivacious and rebellious young woman he calls Caroline。 She appears like a figment, causing chaos and damaging property, often dancing on tables, with at least several men following her。 He watches her his entire life, marries another woman, has a son, always admiring her from afar。 When he is old and gray, Caroline speaks to him for the first time, saying that she hopes she brought some courage and inspiration to his boring life, and our protagonist realizes he wasted every opportunity to live the life he always wanted。Recommended for fans of Fitzgerald or anyone who longs of the roaring twenties。readwellreviews。com 。。。more

Franzi

1。5 starsF。 Scott Fitzgeral's writing really isn't for me, as I find his stories incredibly tedious while I find the ideas and meanings between them interesting, which is also the reason why I found reading The Great Gatsby so unappealing but liked the movie。Ranking of the individual stories:1。 Head and Shoulders: I liked the story and found it amusing。2。 The Diamond as Big as the Ritz: I liked the idea but felt indifferent towards it because of its execution。3。The Curious Case of Benjamin Butto 1。5 starsF。 Scott Fitzgeral's writing really isn't for me, as I find his stories incredibly tedious while I find the ideas and meanings between them interesting, which is also the reason why I found reading The Great Gatsby so unappealing but liked the movie。Ranking of the individual stories:1。 Head and Shoulders: I liked the story and found it amusing。2。 The Diamond as Big as the Ritz: I liked the idea but felt indifferent towards it because of its execution。3。The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: yet again, I liked the idea but felt indifferent towards it because of its execution4。 Offshore Pirate: trite but otherwise enjoyable。 The short story collection definitely started strong。5。The Four Fists: I liked the story and found it to be less pointless than most of the other stories。 But let's be honest, I still felt mostly indifferent to this story。6。 The Camel's Back: I found it only slightly amusing but definitely less insufferable than the stories lower on the list。 Also, I liked the ending somewhat。7。 O Russet Witch: I liked some parts and disliked others。 I don't agree with the overall message。 What I find amusing is the thought that Alicia Darner is Fitzgeral's 1920's version of a Manic Pixie Dream Girl。8。 Ice Palace: I felt indifferent about it9。 The Jelly-Bean: I felt indifferent about it。10。 Dayrimple Goes Wrong: I felt meh about/ slightly disliked it。11。 The Tarquin of Cheapside: I always forget that this story exists。 At least it was short。12。 Benediction: Please refer to #11 and multiply my apathy to that story for this story by a 1000 times。13。 Jemina, The Mountain Girl: This is in fact a story that exists, at least it was over quickly, but I'm going to be honest, I didn't take much away from it as this was the last story from the collection and I was seriously done with the book at this point。14。 Porcelain and Pink: This was extremely pointless but at least also short。15。 The Lees of Happiness: What was the point of this story? I hated it!16。 The Cut-Glass Bowl: Please refer to #15。17。 Bernice Bobs Her Hair: Please refer to #15。 Also this seems to be the blue print for Mean Girls, Winning and any other book in that genre。18。 Mr。 Icky: Please refer to #14。19。 May Day: This story is the longest, and I found it to be excruciatingly tedious。 So tedious in fact that I couldn't finish it, making this the only story in this collection that I didn't finish。 。。。more

Patrick Iosif

" Era insa prea tarziu。 Maniase Providenta prin faptul ca rezistease prea multor tentatii。 Nu-i mai ramasese nimic decat urcarea la cer, unde avea sa-i intalneasca doar pe aceia care, asemenea lui, irosisera pamantul。 " " Era insa prea tarziu。 Maniase Providenta prin faptul ca rezistease prea multor tentatii。 Nu-i mai ramasese nimic decat urcarea la cer, unde avea sa-i intalneasca doar pe aceia care, asemenea lui, irosisera pamantul。 " 。。。more

Ruth MacLaren

A mixed bunch。 I didn’t really like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and I don’t think it was really making the most of the whole premise。 Was it well written? Maybe so。 But I much preferred The Russet Witch and The Diamond as Big as the Ritz。 I suppose all short story collections are going to be hit for some and miss for others。 It’s probably about time for me to reread Gatsby。

aclandrews

got impatient reading about rich dysfunctional alcoholics

Dichotomy Girl

Only listened to the Benjamin Button story。

Jane The Pale

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button tells that he was born old and grew younger, there is little extra detail。 When it was conclude I was left with the feeling that the movie would have been better。 The other stories are similar, interesting plots (maybe) but not much in the way of character development or character arc。 My takeaway is that growing old must have been a real bummer for Mr。 Fitzgerald。 He seems to really look down on it。 And old for him was 50s/60s。

Tugbadursun

Except the "Curious Case of Benjamin Button" stories were average。 However I suggest that you should read the Benjamin Button story, it was very different from the movie。 This time it makes sense 😊 Except the "Curious Case of Benjamin Button" stories were average。 However I suggest that you should read the Benjamin Button story, it was very different from the movie。 This time it makes sense 😊 。。。more

Lisa Rogers

Every story is a gem。

Kate

I know it’s not fair to compare this story to the movie, but I was so disappointed。 The movie had me in tears for a good 2 hours, but I could not feel any emotional attachment towards Benjamin at all, let alone the other characters。 I really wish that we could have seen the story from Benjamin’s perspectives and thoughts and spent more time developing the different relationships。 Instead it felt like the narrator was just summarizing everything that happened in his life。 That said, I still love I know it’s not fair to compare this story to the movie, but I was so disappointed。 The movie had me in tears for a good 2 hours, but I could not feel any emotional attachment towards Benjamin at all, let alone the other characters。 I really wish that we could have seen the story from Benjamin’s perspectives and thoughts and spent more time developing the different relationships。 Instead it felt like the narrator was just summarizing everything that happened in his life。 That said, I still love the idea。 And the last page or so redeemed the story a bit。 I liked the writing style of Benjamin from kindergarten on far more than the first 90%。 。。。more

Katie

The most ridiculous, absurd stories I've ever read and I loved it。 The most ridiculous, absurd stories I've ever read and I loved it。 。。。more

Paschalis

elibrary

Cristina Vîrban

These stories need a historical context in order to be understood entirely。 Also, you have to read Scott's footnotes and explanations in order to get the meaning。 I enjoyed the stories, I love how they show both the luxury and the moral decadence of the 20s。Classical Fitzgerald, however, as I always mention, his novels are better than his short stories, in my opinion。 These stories need a historical context in order to be understood entirely。 Also, you have to read Scott's footnotes and explanations in order to get the meaning。 I enjoyed the stories, I love how they show both the luxury and the moral decadence of the 20s。Classical Fitzgerald, however, as I always mention, his novels are better than his short stories, in my opinion。 。。。more

Jennifer

Rare to say, but the film seems to do a much better job with this great concept。 Fitzgerald just kind of lets the plot plod along。 The other stories were unmemorable。

Dealulcudor

Primul contact cu Fitzgerald a fost în liceu cînd am citit Marele Gatsby și nu am fost deloc impresionată de lumea superficială creionată de el。 Apoi am recitit Marele Gatsby în facultate, în engleză însă, și experiența mea a fost cu totul diferită。 Am fost surprinsă să găsesc un roman mai bun, armonios, melodios și cu unele întrebări existențiale。 Acum am citit volumul de nuvele Strania poveste a lui Benjamin Button și alte întîmplări din epoca jazzului și deși regret că nu l-am avut în engleză Primul contact cu Fitzgerald a fost în liceu cînd am citit Marele Gatsby și nu am fost deloc impresionată de lumea superficială creionată de el。 Apoi am recitit Marele Gatsby în facultate, în engleză însă, și experiența mea a fost cu totul diferită。 Am fost surprinsă să găsesc un roman mai bun, armonios, melodios și cu unele întrebări existențiale。 Acum am citit volumul de nuvele Strania poveste a lui Benjamin Button și alte întîmplări din epoca jazzului și deși regret că nu l-am avut în engleză tot a avut un efect calmant asupra mea。 Te relaxează în timp ce îți povestește despre lumea apusă a jazzului din anii '20 - '30。 。。。more

Axel

my favorites were the camel’s back, the diamond as big as the ritz, and the lees of happiness

Smith Winston

4,5

Matt Root

I love Fitzgerald’s prose and every time I pick up something my him I’m instantly reminded why he’s a genius。 At the same time, this collection is rather uneven and there’s enough that’s aged poorly as to remind me also why he’s problematic。

Parker Brogdon

Really runs the gamut, from snarky satire to surprisingly effective sentimentality。 He writes so well about the pain and disappointment of an unfulfilled life, but it is never overtly pessimistic, just a practical acceptance。 Some stories are much more successful than others (you can tell Fitzgerald was scrapping the bottom of the barrel to put some of these collections together), but the good ones are very worth the ride。Favorites:- "The Four Fists"- "Porcelain and Pink"- "The Diamond as Big as Really runs the gamut, from snarky satire to surprisingly effective sentimentality。 He writes so well about the pain and disappointment of an unfulfilled life, but it is never overtly pessimistic, just a practical acceptance。 Some stories are much more successful than others (you can tell Fitzgerald was scrapping the bottom of the barrel to put some of these collections together), but the good ones are very worth the ride。Favorites:- "The Four Fists"- "Porcelain and Pink"- "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz"- "The Lees of Happiness"- 。。。and of course "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" 。。。more