THE STORIES OF F. SCOTT FITZGERALD

by Malcom- Ed. Cowley ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

The Scott Fitzgerald revival, stimulated by Schulberg's The Disenchanted and presently to be further enhanced by Mizener's able biography, Far Side of Paradise, will find this collection of Fitzgerald's short stories provocative reading. The stories- some 28 of them- prove that their author was more than a symptom of the frenzied '20's. He has a permanent contribution to make, has very pointedly been the inspiration for numerous writers who followed him, and made considerable contribution to a shifting focus in the field of the short story (to mention only the area with which this volume is concerned). The editor's excellent biographical and critical introduction sets the background, though the stories, for the most part, stand on their own. Among those representative of various facets of the Fitzgerald presented here, I'd suggest reading Berenice Bobs Her Hair (very characteristic of the '20's, but with something to say to today's youth); Babylon Revisited (the best of the lot, I think- and showing Fitzgerald's poignant and evocative handling of the excesses and disillusion of his age); Family in the Wind and Last of the Belles (for evidence of his versatility); Bridal Party (perhaps the best of those not hitherto collected). The Basil and Josephine stories, so popular in their day, date more than most of the others, but might be called the progenitor of the Henry Aldrich genre. All in all, a thoroughly worthwhile collection, though inevitably there will be quibbling over omissions (I wish he had included He Thinks He's Wonderful and First Blood for essential flavor of both Fitzgerald and his times).

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Scribner

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1951

Categories: FICTION