jokos's review against another edition
3.0
Some real chuckle out loud bits, but the unfortunate racist undertones took it down a few stars. I know it's old, but ugh.
F. Scott Fitzgerald writes in a very entertaining style!
F. Scott Fitzgerald writes in a very entertaining style!
orchidd's review against another edition
medium-paced
1.0
self-indulgent and self-absorbed, fitzgerald writes like a friend to whose winding stories you always say “uh huh” and hope will end soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
mebbs's review against another edition
4.0
I almost skipped over the prologue, but my guilt at having marked 30 pages as read on Goodreads whilst only actually, at that point, reading about 10 propelled me back to the beginning. However, I’m glad I did. Paul Theroux and Julian Evans had some very enlightening and insightful thoughts on how the apparently spontaneous and fateful journey Scott and Zelda took in the early years of their marriage paved the way for the often tragic and short lives that followed after.
Evans also highlighted how the prevailingly beautiful language and ideas in The Great Gatsby seem to have their beginnings in some of the pages of this memoir.
It goes without saying that Fitzgerald’s attitudes towards black people is somewhat jarring, however it’s necessary to remember that 1920 was a very different world to 2018. Otherwise, this is a beautifully written, if somewhat fictionalised account of two fascinating people on a journey of impulse and calamity.
Evans also highlighted how the prevailingly beautiful language and ideas in The Great Gatsby seem to have their beginnings in some of the pages of this memoir.
It goes without saying that Fitzgerald’s attitudes towards black people is somewhat jarring, however it’s necessary to remember that 1920 was a very different world to 2018. Otherwise, this is a beautifully written, if somewhat fictionalised account of two fascinating people on a journey of impulse and calamity.
utalit's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
anjailka's review
2.0
Interesting insight into Fitzgerald's life and a nice story. What ruined it for me was the blatant racism, especially because this is written from the author's personal view, therefore reflecting his personal views. On several occasions while listening to the audiobook I was deeply uncomfortable with the racist language and worldview. It's beautifully written, but I still wouldn't re-read or really recommend. There are books worthier of reading.