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In 1937 Hollywood, gossip columnist Sheilah Graham's star is on the rise, while literary wonder boy F. Scott Fitzgerald's career is slowly drowning in booze. But the once-famous author, desperate to make money penning scripts for the silver screen, is charismatic enough to attract the gorgeous Miss Graham, a woman who exposes the secrets of others while carefully guarding her own. Like Fitzgerald's hero Jay Gatsby, Graham has meticulously constructed a life far removed from the poverty of her childhood in London's slums. And like Gatsby, the onetime guttersnipe learned early how to use her charms to become a hardworking success; she is feted and feared by both the movie studios and their luminaries.
A notorious drunk famously married to the doomed Zelda, Fitzgerald fell hard for his "Shielah" (he never learned to spell her name), a shrewd yet softhearted woman--both a fool for love and nobody's fool--who would stay with him and help revive his career until his tragic death three years later. Working from Sheilah's memoirs, interviews, and letters, Sally Koslow revisits their scandalous love affair and Graham's dramatic transformation in London, bringing Graham and Fitzgerald gloriously to life with the color, glitter, magic, and passion of 1930s Hollywood.
A notorious drunk famously married to the doomed Zelda, Fitzgerald fell hard for his "Shielah" (he never learned to spell her name), a shrewd yet softhearted woman--both a fool for love and nobody's fool--who would stay with him and help revive his career until his tragic death three years later. Working from Sheilah's memoirs, interviews, and letters, Sally Koslow revisits their scandalous love affair and Graham's dramatic transformation in London, bringing Graham and Fitzgerald gloriously to life with the color, glitter, magic, and passion of 1930s Hollywood.
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First published May 29, 2018
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About the author
Sally Koslow
14 books304 followersTHE REAL MRS. TOBIAS, Sally Koslow's forthcoming novel (September 2022--Harper Perennial) is a smartly funny story about mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law who are trying to navigate personal difficulties, some of which are with another. In ANOTHER SIDE OF PARADISE, Sally Koslow brings to life the tender, torrid tale of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Hollywood love affair with the Gatsby-esque Sheilah Graham, a gossip columnist and fascinating self-invention. Her other novels include the international bestseller, THE LATE, LAMENTED MOLLY MARX, THE WIDOW WALTZ, WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE, and her debut, LITTLE PINK SLIPS, an insider’s view of the magazine industry (which she knows only too well, as the long-time editor of McCall's Magazine.) She is also the author of one noon-fiction book, SLOUCHING TOWARD ADULTHOOD. Her books have been translated into 14 languages. Sally has contributed essays and articles to numerous magazines, newspapers, websites, and anthologies, including MOMS DON'T HAVE TIME TO and ALONE TOGETHER: Love, Grief, and Comfort in the Time of Covid-19. She lives in Manhattan but was born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
June 6, 2018
The Great Gatsby is my favorite novel and F.Scott Fitzgerald is one of my favorite writers. I’m always attracted to books about him, even if it’s a fictional account. This is more Sheilah Graham’s story, but of course, Fitzgerald is a part of that story. Quite honestly it was Fitzgerald that I was most interested and I was more interested in the part of her story that included him. The character herself says ,”And then my real life began, because this was the evening I first saw F. Scott Fitzgerald....”
These Hollywood years were a difficult time for Fitzgerald. Zelda is in an asylum, he’s struggling financially, writing screen plays, struggling to stay sober and not being entirely successful, trying to write again. I think his relationship with Sheilah Graham in many ways saved him from further grief. I enjoyed the story, but found nothing new here that I wasn’t already aware of having read several other novels about Fitzgerald as well as biographies so long ago in college. I think I need to get my Fitzgerald fix by rereading his novels rather than novels about him, or Zelda, or Sheilah Graham. For me it was just an okay read mostly because I’ve read enough about Fitzgerald rather than the depiction.
I received an advanced copy of this book from HarperCollins through Edelweiss.
These Hollywood years were a difficult time for Fitzgerald. Zelda is in an asylum, he’s struggling financially, writing screen plays, struggling to stay sober and not being entirely successful, trying to write again. I think his relationship with Sheilah Graham in many ways saved him from further grief. I enjoyed the story, but found nothing new here that I wasn’t already aware of having read several other novels about Fitzgerald as well as biographies so long ago in college. I think I need to get my Fitzgerald fix by rereading his novels rather than novels about him, or Zelda, or Sheilah Graham. For me it was just an okay read mostly because I’ve read enough about Fitzgerald rather than the depiction.
I received an advanced copy of this book from HarperCollins through Edelweiss.
March 23, 2018
This is my own book and first historical novel. I want you to know why I wrote it. I am a lifelong admirer of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s work, and he is a major character in the book. But of equal importance is a woman you may not know: Sheilah Graham. She was a high-spirited Englishwoman who fell in love with Scott in Hollywood, long after dear Zelda had fallen ill and was living in a sanitarium. Where Scott’s story may be familiar, few readers know about Sheilah, who literally re-invented herself. She was smart, resourceful, brashly independent, generous, kind, loving, gorgeous and complex, much like a Fitzgerald heroine.
Along with Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons, Sheilah was one of three imposing gossip columnists who in the 1930s could make or break a film career. She was also Jewish, and since I am, too, when I discovered this fact about Sheilah, I knew I HAD to tell her story, which is of the you-can’t-make-this-up variety. Except it’s true. If you like romance that doesn’t necessarily have a happy ending, but a roller-coaster of drama and controversy, this book is for you.
To prepare to write this book, I did extensive research, devouring the many memoirs Sheilah wrote about her remarkable life as well as books that referenced her (many!) and interviews she gave. Of course, I also read her newspaper columns. The latter had a soft touch, compared to those Mean Girls, Hedda and Louella.
As interesting as a real person may be, no one leads their life in a plot, so as a writer I took some liberties of adding to and subtracting from Sheilah's story, while always building on a skeleton of hard truth. This book is, after all, a novel. I hope it's one you love, and I thank you for reading it.
Along with Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons, Sheilah was one of three imposing gossip columnists who in the 1930s could make or break a film career. She was also Jewish, and since I am, too, when I discovered this fact about Sheilah, I knew I HAD to tell her story, which is of the you-can’t-make-this-up variety. Except it’s true. If you like romance that doesn’t necessarily have a happy ending, but a roller-coaster of drama and controversy, this book is for you.
To prepare to write this book, I did extensive research, devouring the many memoirs Sheilah wrote about her remarkable life as well as books that referenced her (many!) and interviews she gave. Of course, I also read her newspaper columns. The latter had a soft touch, compared to those Mean Girls, Hedda and Louella.
As interesting as a real person may be, no one leads their life in a plot, so as a writer I took some liberties of adding to and subtracting from Sheilah's story, while always building on a skeleton of hard truth. This book is, after all, a novel. I hope it's one you love, and I thank you for reading it.
June 11, 2018
Sheilah Graham was a popular gossip columnist covering Hollywood stars in the late 1930’s. She moved to America and assumed a new name to hide her poverty-stricken background. At the same time, F. Scott Fitzgerald was working in California developing movie scripts while struggling to write his next novel. His wife, Zelda, was away at a psychiatric hospital and he was fighting to stay sober.
Sheilah and Fitzgerald met at a party an embark on a tumultuous love affair. She understood his shortcomings and insecurities while accepting that he would not divorce his ill wife. He provided her with security and resources to enhance her career. They become a couple and their relationship continued through some tough times and both were forced to disclose some deep secrets.
I found this historical fiction novel by Sally Koslow fascinating and did not want the book to end. The book is presented from Sheila's point of view and the dialogue brings you back in time. ”Another Side Of Paradise” is about an exciting love affair that develops into a complex relationship between two talented people. This was the first book that I read by the author, and it will not be my last.
Sheilah and Fitzgerald met at a party an embark on a tumultuous love affair. She understood his shortcomings and insecurities while accepting that he would not divorce his ill wife. He provided her with security and resources to enhance her career. They become a couple and their relationship continued through some tough times and both were forced to disclose some deep secrets.
I found this historical fiction novel by Sally Koslow fascinating and did not want the book to end. The book is presented from Sheila's point of view and the dialogue brings you back in time. ”Another Side Of Paradise” is about an exciting love affair that develops into a complex relationship between two talented people. This was the first book that I read by the author, and it will not be my last.
June 26, 2019
When I was a child on a trip to the mountains of North Carolina, I remember being told that Zelda Fitzgerald was admitted to a sanitorium in the area, and there was some other mystery that surrounded her and her time there; and for whatever reason, because of that early experience, I have been interested in Zelda ever since. She is pretty darn intriguing after all.
In my 11th grade English class, taught by someone who ardently admired Fitzgerald, I read The Great Gatsby for the first time, and I was as enthralled as most everyone else with that novel, and still I thought of Zelda.
Another Side of Paradise is not Zelda’s story, however. It is Sheilah Graham’s story. Sheilah is the mistress of Fitzgerald while Zelda is institutionalized in Asheville, North Carolina.
Graham is born to Jewish Ukrainian parents. Her father dies when she’s an infant, and her mother is forced to give Sheilah to an orphanage. By the time Fitzgerald meets her, Graham could not be further removed from her challenging early life.
Sheilah enters Fitzgerald’s world when he is floundering work-wise and drinking more than ever. She inspires him to some success, as his muse, and the book covers their three years together.
Sally Koslow meticulously researched Sheilah Graham’s life. She brings the life and times of these high profile “characters” to life with all the glitz, glamour, and unfortunately for Fitzgerald, drinking one would expect of the time.
The story is smoothly written and completely absorbing. I thought Graham’s perspective was interesting, and I found her formidable in order to go head-to-head with Fitzgerald and work to get his life back on track in the short time she spent with him.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
In my 11th grade English class, taught by someone who ardently admired Fitzgerald, I read The Great Gatsby for the first time, and I was as enthralled as most everyone else with that novel, and still I thought of Zelda.
Another Side of Paradise is not Zelda’s story, however. It is Sheilah Graham’s story. Sheilah is the mistress of Fitzgerald while Zelda is institutionalized in Asheville, North Carolina.
Graham is born to Jewish Ukrainian parents. Her father dies when she’s an infant, and her mother is forced to give Sheilah to an orphanage. By the time Fitzgerald meets her, Graham could not be further removed from her challenging early life.
Sheilah enters Fitzgerald’s world when he is floundering work-wise and drinking more than ever. She inspires him to some success, as his muse, and the book covers their three years together.
Sally Koslow meticulously researched Sheilah Graham’s life. She brings the life and times of these high profile “characters” to life with all the glitz, glamour, and unfortunately for Fitzgerald, drinking one would expect of the time.
The story is smoothly written and completely absorbing. I thought Graham’s perspective was interesting, and I found her formidable in order to go head-to-head with Fitzgerald and work to get his life back on track in the short time she spent with him.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
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June 10, 2019This was a beautifully told well researched book about Sheilah Graham. Graham was the mistress of F Scott Fitzgerald in the final years of his life, when Zelda was institutionalized. The story begins with the death of Fitzgerald and then bounces between present and past. We get the backstory of Sheilah how she came from nothing and became one of the top gossip columnists in old Hollywood. We also get an inside look at the romantic rollercoaster relationship between Fitzgerald and Graham. A complex scandalous epic love story.
Sally Koslow’s meticulous research and passion for these characters really came through on the pages of this book. Sheilah was a remarkable woman, so strong, so spirited, so sincere. Her love for Fitzgerald was immense and all encompassing... and he was not an easy man to deal with. This was the time in his life where he was down on his luck trying to write his next novel, supplementing his income with writing screenplays, and addicted to alcohol. Their relationship was as problematic as it was passionate. I love the setting of old Hollywood. The glitz, the glamour, and the politics that went on between the gossip columnists. It was kind of like the mean girls club. I love these stories about famous people based on history but written as a fictional novel. I know that the authors need to take some liberties to move the plot forward and such. But I find these fictional biographies most interesting. This was a well told story about an incredible woman set against the glamorous backdrop of old Hollywood.
*** many thanks to Harper Collins for my copy of this book ***
Sally Koslow’s meticulous research and passion for these characters really came through on the pages of this book. Sheilah was a remarkable woman, so strong, so spirited, so sincere. Her love for Fitzgerald was immense and all encompassing... and he was not an easy man to deal with. This was the time in his life where he was down on his luck trying to write his next novel, supplementing his income with writing screenplays, and addicted to alcohol. Their relationship was as problematic as it was passionate. I love the setting of old Hollywood. The glitz, the glamour, and the politics that went on between the gossip columnists. It was kind of like the mean girls club. I love these stories about famous people based on history but written as a fictional novel. I know that the authors need to take some liberties to move the plot forward and such. But I find these fictional biographies most interesting. This was a well told story about an incredible woman set against the glamorous backdrop of old Hollywood.
*** many thanks to Harper Collins for my copy of this book ***
blog-tours
June 21, 2019Where are all my Great Gatsby and F Scott Fitzgerald fans at? If that's you, this book is for you!
Sheilah is a gossip columnist in the 1930's. She covers all of the Hollywood stars. She changes her name in order to be more "anonymous" and at the same time F Scott Fitzgerald is trying to make it big while also supporting his own demons and his family, especially his wife. Sheilah and F Scott end up falling for each other but their love affair is a complicated one as F Scott would never leave his wife while she is not well. Over time they have to work hard at their relationship and as that time passes their secrets start to come out.
I'm not a huge historical fiction fan but I do love a good love story with some complexity as well as historical fiction mostly surrounding women. The thing that stuck out to me most was the writing of this book. It flowed really well for me and I can't help but love the old glitz and glam of the 1930's. It almost makes me want to transport back there to experience it! If you are looking for a good historical fiction love story I would recommend picking up this one this summer!
Sheilah is a gossip columnist in the 1930's. She covers all of the Hollywood stars. She changes her name in order to be more "anonymous" and at the same time F Scott Fitzgerald is trying to make it big while also supporting his own demons and his family, especially his wife. Sheilah and F Scott end up falling for each other but their love affair is a complicated one as F Scott would never leave his wife while she is not well. Over time they have to work hard at their relationship and as that time passes their secrets start to come out.
I'm not a huge historical fiction fan but I do love a good love story with some complexity as well as historical fiction mostly surrounding women. The thing that stuck out to me most was the writing of this book. It flowed really well for me and I can't help but love the old glitz and glam of the 1930's. It almost makes me want to transport back there to experience it! If you are looking for a good historical fiction love story I would recommend picking up this one this summer!
June 5, 2019
Being a long time fan of the 1920’s and 30’s, as well as to F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda, I’ve read my share of stories on this infamous couple. However it was my first getting a glimpse into the life and relationship of Sheila Graham. I wanted to not like her, as I was feeling for Zelda while she was away at an asylum, but Sheila was the kind, strong woman that Fitzgerald needed at that time and I could see why he fell for her.
This novel swept me away to the glitz and glamor of the Golden Age of Hollywood, and I really loved the writing of Sally Koslow. We get to see such a complex character as Sheila, through her story of poverty, riches, and scandal.
A perfect summer read, and fans of this era!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars!!
This novel swept me away to the glitz and glamor of the Golden Age of Hollywood, and I really loved the writing of Sally Koslow. We get to see such a complex character as Sheila, through her story of poverty, riches, and scandal.
A perfect summer read, and fans of this era!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars!!
October 21, 2018
I just knew I needed to read this book when I saw it and I was lucky to get the chance to listen to the audiobook. I watched a movie about F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sheilah Graham years ago with Gregory Peck in the title role. Can't remember much about it, but I was thrilled to get to read a book about the couple.
F. Scott Fitzgerald is forever linked with his wife Zelda, but the last years of his life were he involved with gossip columnist Sheilah Graham. It was not an easy romance, especially for Sheilah who discovered that Scott was a very nice man, as long as he did not drink. But, now and then he would go on a bender and he turned into a very nasty version of himself. I had before I read this book just finished a book about Ernest Hemingway and I can tell you. They may be great writers, but they were hell to live with.
As for the book, it's marvelous, read it or listen to it. I enjoyed it immensely and I loved getting to know more about Sheilah Graham, how she pretty much invented herself. And who doesn't love an epic love story?
F. Scott Fitzgerald is forever linked with his wife Zelda, but the last years of his life were he involved with gossip columnist Sheilah Graham. It was not an easy romance, especially for Sheilah who discovered that Scott was a very nice man, as long as he did not drink. But, now and then he would go on a bender and he turned into a very nasty version of himself. I had before I read this book just finished a book about Ernest Hemingway and I can tell you. They may be great writers, but they were hell to live with.
As for the book, it's marvelous, read it or listen to it. I enjoyed it immensely and I loved getting to know more about Sheilah Graham, how she pretty much invented herself. And who doesn't love an epic love story?
June 12, 2018
Many thanks to Harper Books for my free copy of ANOTHER SIDE OF PARADISE by Sally Koslow - all opinions are my own.
I love F. Scott Fitzgerald, so I immediately jumped at the chance to read this book! The writing is beautiful, descriptive, vivid, and picturesque. I absolutely adored it.
The story centers on gossip columnist Sheilah Graham and her longtime, on again, off again, love affair with F. Scott Fitzgerald. Set in 1930s Hollywood, during a time when Fitzgerald’s career is being drowned away by booze, the story starts with Graham’s disbelief that Scott has just passed away and from there, goes back and forth between the past and present. We learn that Sheilah was born into a poor Jewish family, then placed into an orphanage when her mother could not care for her. We go through her years of marriage, career, and through the ups and downs of her relationship with Fitzgerald.
This was such a wonderful read as I was swept up in the golden age of Hollywood. There are multiple characters that are all well developed and I was completely captivated by Graham and Fitzgerald’s relationship. It was so fascinating to learn the complex nature of Fitzgerald and his final years. Writers and artists always interest me in historical fiction, so this was the perfect book! It is obvious that Koslow performed a tremendous amount of research which is the cornerstone of any well written historical fiction novel. I’ve read a couple of books based on the effervescent Zelda Fitzgerald, so it was lovely to learn about the dazzling Sheilah Graham.
I love F. Scott Fitzgerald, so I immediately jumped at the chance to read this book! The writing is beautiful, descriptive, vivid, and picturesque. I absolutely adored it.
The story centers on gossip columnist Sheilah Graham and her longtime, on again, off again, love affair with F. Scott Fitzgerald. Set in 1930s Hollywood, during a time when Fitzgerald’s career is being drowned away by booze, the story starts with Graham’s disbelief that Scott has just passed away and from there, goes back and forth between the past and present. We learn that Sheilah was born into a poor Jewish family, then placed into an orphanage when her mother could not care for her. We go through her years of marriage, career, and through the ups and downs of her relationship with Fitzgerald.
This was such a wonderful read as I was swept up in the golden age of Hollywood. There are multiple characters that are all well developed and I was completely captivated by Graham and Fitzgerald’s relationship. It was so fascinating to learn the complex nature of Fitzgerald and his final years. Writers and artists always interest me in historical fiction, so this was the perfect book! It is obvious that Koslow performed a tremendous amount of research which is the cornerstone of any well written historical fiction novel. I’ve read a couple of books based on the effervescent Zelda Fitzgerald, so it was lovely to learn about the dazzling Sheilah Graham.
April 17, 2018
Did you know that F. Scott Fitzgerald died in the home of Sheilah Graham, the famed gossip columnist? Until recently, I hadn't known this and when I stumbled across the tidbit I thought, someone should write a book about her! Well, someone did. It comes out in May and is fantastic. I loved the bright and interesting Sheilah, and their complex relationship, and the vulnerabilities shown in Fitzgerald. We meet him after he's lost his luster and take projects to get by. The contrast of his struggle versus Sheilah's is fascinating. This was a terrific read and I predict it will be huge when it comes out!
June 5, 2019
I've been obsessed with F. Scott Fitzgerald ever since my Junior year of High School when I read The Great Gatsby. I've always had such a romantic notion of him, Zelda, and the Jazz Age. Another Side of Paradise paints a more realistic, human picture of Fitzgerald as a man. He, like all of us, was a person with flaws. Told through the eyes of his longtime lover, Sheilah Graham, we see a man struggling with demons. Graham was a fascinating woman in her own right, from growing up in poverty in London to the glitz and glamour of 1930's Hollywood, she rose through the ranks of a male dominated work place. This was definitely my favorite part of the story.
Beside being insanely jealous of the research Koslow was able to conduct while writing this novel, I was captivated by this lost love story between two people who only showed their true selves to each other.
Beside being insanely jealous of the research Koslow was able to conduct while writing this novel, I was captivated by this lost love story between two people who only showed their true selves to each other.
May 16, 2018
I really enjoyed this book! You can really tell that the author spent a lot of time on research for this novel. I love anything that has to do with the “Golden Age” and this book had such excellent scenes including all the old Hollywood crowd. I’m also a big fan of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novels (The Great Gatsby is my favorite!) but I have to admit that I didn’t know much about the author himself. I knew of the famous Zelda Fitzgerald of course but I didn’t know anything about Sheilah Graham. Sheilah Graham was one of my major journalists in Hollywood during the 1930s and was very influential in the popularity of movies. I think it’s admirable how she pulled herself up out of bad past to become such a successful woman.
The characters are so fantastic in this book. The author goes into vivid detail when describing them and their personalities that the reader really gets multiple multifaceted characters instead of just seeing two main characters. This isn’t easy when there are so many to develop but Koslow did an excellent job. I also think she did a great job of describing Graham and Fitzgerald’s relationship. It wasn’t all happy times for the couple and the reader even gets insight into the Graham’s struggle with how much she loves Fitzgerald and how much she can hate him at times.
Overall, I loved this book and the story. I would recommend this to any fan of historical fiction and especially those that have a love for the Golden Age.
The characters are so fantastic in this book. The author goes into vivid detail when describing them and their personalities that the reader really gets multiple multifaceted characters instead of just seeing two main characters. This isn’t easy when there are so many to develop but Koslow did an excellent job. I also think she did a great job of describing Graham and Fitzgerald’s relationship. It wasn’t all happy times for the couple and the reader even gets insight into the Graham’s struggle with how much she loves Fitzgerald and how much she can hate him at times.
Overall, I loved this book and the story. I would recommend this to any fan of historical fiction and especially those that have a love for the Golden Age.
March 18, 2018
This gorgeous novel tells the story of Sheilah Graham and her love affair with F. Scott Fitzgerald. I was completely unfamiliar with this captivating piece of history, and I am so grateful to have received an early copy of this book. It is flawlessly researched, beautifully written, and thoughtfully crafted. I highly recommend!
June 17, 2019
I've definitely been on a historical fiction kick these days and I am LOVING it.
This one is all Hollywood romance, scandal, glitz and glamour, and if you know anything about The Great Gatsby - you need to read this!
We all know the infamous F. Scott Fitzgerald of Gatsby fame. But what I did not know, was the scandal and rumors that swirled around this creative force! Rumors of a possible relationship with his rival, Ernest Hemingway, drunken escapades and severe alcoholism, and his wife Zelda, committed to a psychiatric hospital as her husband carries on a torrid affair with beautiful gossip columnist, Sheilah Graham.
This is that story. Sally Koslow has taken Sheliah's memoirs, interviews, and letters and constructed the story of her childhood of poverty and sadness, to her eventual rise (so similar to Jay Gatsby's!) to fame and recognition, and the imagined story of her scandalous love affair with Fitzgerald.
You want to dislike Sheliah - after all, she's shacking up with a married man! But you just can't help but admire her and see her strength, determination to stand out and on her own, and the love she has for Fitzgerald. He is lost and drunk, and on the verge of a ruined career - so bad, that people begin to think he had died! Sheliah is hardworking and passionate, and helps him reignite his career just before his painful and eventual death.
I love the glitz and glitter that comes along with the stories of this time period. The 20's and 30's seemed so magical, and you can't help but fall in love with the affairs, the gossip, and the celebrity of it all. The story is glamorous and exciting, as Sheliah rubs elbows with icons such as Humphrey Bogart, Charlie Chaplin, and James Cagney. You are transported back to this golden era through Sally's writing - you can feel the excitement and change in the air and hear the jazz music and the flappers dancing, as you are dropped right into the midst of this tumultuous and passionate love story.
This one is all Hollywood romance, scandal, glitz and glamour, and if you know anything about The Great Gatsby - you need to read this!
We all know the infamous F. Scott Fitzgerald of Gatsby fame. But what I did not know, was the scandal and rumors that swirled around this creative force! Rumors of a possible relationship with his rival, Ernest Hemingway, drunken escapades and severe alcoholism, and his wife Zelda, committed to a psychiatric hospital as her husband carries on a torrid affair with beautiful gossip columnist, Sheilah Graham.
This is that story. Sally Koslow has taken Sheliah's memoirs, interviews, and letters and constructed the story of her childhood of poverty and sadness, to her eventual rise (so similar to Jay Gatsby's!) to fame and recognition, and the imagined story of her scandalous love affair with Fitzgerald.
You want to dislike Sheliah - after all, she's shacking up with a married man! But you just can't help but admire her and see her strength, determination to stand out and on her own, and the love she has for Fitzgerald. He is lost and drunk, and on the verge of a ruined career - so bad, that people begin to think he had died! Sheliah is hardworking and passionate, and helps him reignite his career just before his painful and eventual death.
I love the glitz and glitter that comes along with the stories of this time period. The 20's and 30's seemed so magical, and you can't help but fall in love with the affairs, the gossip, and the celebrity of it all. The story is glamorous and exciting, as Sheliah rubs elbows with icons such as Humphrey Bogart, Charlie Chaplin, and James Cagney. You are transported back to this golden era through Sally's writing - you can feel the excitement and change in the air and hear the jazz music and the flappers dancing, as you are dropped right into the midst of this tumultuous and passionate love story.
April 2, 2018
My Review of "Another Side of Paradise" by Sally Koslow
I loved everything about "Another Side of Paradise" by Sally Koslow. I appreciate that Sally Koslow has done extensive research, and writes so vividly with great description the colorful cast of characters and various timelines. This novel is fiction based on famous characters. I was captivated and intrigued by this fascinating novel.
The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. A great deal of the timeline in this novel is the "Golden Age of Hollywood", and describes Sheilah Graham, born Lily Shield, as a gossip columnist, and writer.The author portrays the Hollywood scene, the writers, and the producers, in such an engaging and enthralling way.
A young Jewish Lily Shield is brought up mostly in an orphanage in England. She marries young, and changes her name to Sheilah Graham. Sheila Graham holds deep secrets that torment her. Sheilah comes to America, where her career takes hold. During this Golden Age of Hollywood, Sheilah meets F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of "The Great Gatsby" and "Another Side of Paradise". Fitzgerald is writing screenplays, as his career as an author is declining. Sheilah's is starting to rise in her career.
Sheilah and Fitzgerald begin an unusual relationship with highs and lows, and twists and turns. The author gives us an intimate view of their romantic and intense relationship. I felt addicted to this story, and couldn't put the book down. I would highly recommend this novel for those readers that appreciate fiction with a historical background.
I loved everything about "Another Side of Paradise" by Sally Koslow. I appreciate that Sally Koslow has done extensive research, and writes so vividly with great description the colorful cast of characters and various timelines. This novel is fiction based on famous characters. I was captivated and intrigued by this fascinating novel.
The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. A great deal of the timeline in this novel is the "Golden Age of Hollywood", and describes Sheilah Graham, born Lily Shield, as a gossip columnist, and writer.The author portrays the Hollywood scene, the writers, and the producers, in such an engaging and enthralling way.
A young Jewish Lily Shield is brought up mostly in an orphanage in England. She marries young, and changes her name to Sheilah Graham. Sheila Graham holds deep secrets that torment her. Sheilah comes to America, where her career takes hold. During this Golden Age of Hollywood, Sheilah meets F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of "The Great Gatsby" and "Another Side of Paradise". Fitzgerald is writing screenplays, as his career as an author is declining. Sheilah's is starting to rise in her career.
Sheilah and Fitzgerald begin an unusual relationship with highs and lows, and twists and turns. The author gives us an intimate view of their romantic and intense relationship. I felt addicted to this story, and couldn't put the book down. I would highly recommend this novel for those readers that appreciate fiction with a historical background.
December 14, 2018
This was our July book selection and the first book I've read by Koslow. The story is just as beautiful as the book cover. I enjoyed learning about old Hollywood,Sheilah Graham and F.Scott Fitzgerald. The wording was so poetic and magic it compelled me to the pages. I had a 20 minute conversation on how poetic and moving the wording was before discussing the story.
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club
Hudson Valley NY
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club
Hudson Valley NY
March 9, 2018
I am utterly enchanted, captivated, enthralled and delirious reading Sally Koslow's impeccably written story of the romance between Sheilah Graham and F Scott Fitzgerald. I've read the books each wrote, and much that's been written about each of them―and even appeared in one of the film incarnations of The Great Gatsby, an experience that inspired me to explore even more about the world of Fitzgerald. Sally Koslow has woven a story so familiar to me, yet so fresh, personal and intimate I savored each exquisite word, appreciating her insights and discovering a few more things I didn't know. I highly recommend Another Side of Paradise .
May 21, 2018
Fascinating romp with Fitzgerald through the eyes of his mistress, Sheilah Graham. This novel provided an addictive escape into the golden age of Hollywood and gave me entry to Fitzgerald's life through an entirely new lens. Loved it.
May 31, 2018
Review soon.
April 3, 2018
I read this book knowing nothing about Sheilah Graham and little about F. Scott FitzGerald. But I learned so much in this meticulously-researched novel and came away feeling like I'd gotten an intimate look into their lives. The most fascinating part for me was the transformation and rise of Sheilah, certainly a rags-to-riches, or at least a rags-to-Hollywood story. Fans of F. Scott FitzGerald may have heard much about his legendary romance with Zelda. But the tale is not finished until they know about Sheilah as well. Excellent piece of historical fiction from this author and I look forward to reading more of hers in the future.
May 23, 2019
„Оттатък рая“ на Сали Кослоу привлече вниманието ми още с излизането си, но както обикновено се случва, трябваше да се нареди на опашка и да си изчака кротко реда (изпреварвайки все пак някое и друго заглавие). Интересът ми се засили допълнително, след като открих колко приятни могат да са биографичните романи, а и освен това… без срам заявявам, че не знаех почти нищо за самия Фицджералд, така че реших, че този роман е удачен избор, за да се запозная поне косвено с живота му.
Самият роман разглежда живота на Шийла Греъм, последната любов на Фицджералд, както и гръмко е обявено на корицата. Двамата се запознават през 1937 година – тя е сгодена, а той все още се грижи за Зелда, неговата съпруга, към този момент в санаториум. И любовта между тях пламва на момента. Докато Шийла обаче е склонна да се откаже от набезите си към богати мъже и многобройните флиртове заради Фицджералд, пленена от обаянието му и обожанието, което показва към нея, той не е склонен да се разведе със съпругата си и се налага двамата да живеят като любовници. В Холивуд, където всички се преструват, а моралът е фалшив, все пак се налага и те да показват доза лицемерие. Не е тайна, че са заедно, но и не престъпват границите на този, иначе доста освободен и разкрепостен свят.
Изглежда, очаквах повече от самата Шийла като личност. Тя е все пак последната любов на Фицджералд, вдъхновението и музата за последния му успешен роман. Но романът сравнително бегло проследява животът й в ранна възраст и преди да срещне голямата си любов, съвсем накратко е представено с какво се занимава. Всъщност фокусът на този роман е изцяло любовта им със Скот, което дори да е любопитно, на моменти ми дотягаше заради тази обсебеност, за която се създаваше впечатление от романа. Шийла израства в сиропиталище, успява със собствени сили и амбицията си да се измъкне от гетата на Лондон, да си спечели място в обществото, да бъде желана от най-богатите и успешни мъже. Но всичко това е оставено на заден план, за сметка на любовната й афера с Фицджералд. Тя дори в Холивуд успява да се издигне, работи за едни от най-популярните вестници и вписва колонки в тях, разкривайки тайните на известните личности. И това остава някак пренебрегнато, за сметка на проблемите й със Скот.
Впрочем, мнението ми за Фицджералд е доста негативно след прочитането на този роман и, докато към Шийла останах сравнително безразлична заради липсата на фокус върху самата нея, то имах доста причини да се настроя негативно към него. Да, той може да бъде галантен джентълмен, както е описан поне. И да, някога е имал голяма слава заради романите си. Бил е уважаван и обичан. Но Шийла го хваща в момент, в който никой вече не се интересува от романите му. Той пише сценарии за филми, повечето от които не довършва, защото бива уволнен. Има огромен проблем с алкохола и това го превръща в коренно различен човек, когато пие. И освен това е достатъчно безхарактерен, че да се поддава на всичките си пороци и достатъчно безгръбначен, че да унижава жената, която обича, за сметка на тези пороци и заради жена, с която отдавна няма нищо общо.
Въпреки че ми беше интересно да разбера повече за самата история и за случилото се между Шийла и Фицджералд, не останах с особено добри впечатления от романа. Стилът на авторката е доста плосък, неинтересен, липсва му задълбоченост, заради което и персонажите, в случая действителни личности, изглеждаха някак повърхностни, представени бегло и посредствено, а самата епоха по никакъв начин не се открояваше със своите характерни черти. Липсваше ми връзката на двамата с други хора, защото дори любов като тяхната не е единственото нещо, съществуващо на света, особено предвид, че и двамата са били светски личности. Споменати бяха много известни и неизвестни хора от онези времена, но просто като имена, случайни минувачи. Определено ми липсваше дълбочина на романа и героите, което повлия върху цялостното ми впечатление.
Самият роман разглежда живота на Шийла Греъм, последната любов на Фицджералд, както и гръмко е обявено на корицата. Двамата се запознават през 1937 година – тя е сгодена, а той все още се грижи за Зелда, неговата съпруга, към този момент в санаториум. И любовта между тях пламва на момента. Докато Шийла обаче е склонна да се откаже от набезите си към богати мъже и многобройните флиртове заради Фицджералд, пленена от обаянието му и обожанието, което показва към нея, той не е склонен да се разведе със съпругата си и се налага двамата да живеят като любовници. В Холивуд, където всички се преструват, а моралът е фалшив, все пак се налага и те да показват доза лицемерие. Не е тайна, че са заедно, но и не престъпват границите на този, иначе доста освободен и разкрепостен свят.
Изглежда, очаквах повече от самата Шийла като личност. Тя е все пак последната любов на Фицджералд, вдъхновението и музата за последния му успешен роман. Но романът сравнително бегло проследява животът й в ранна възраст и преди да срещне голямата си любов, съвсем накратко е представено с какво се занимава. Всъщност фокусът на този роман е изцяло любовта им със Скот, което дори да е любопитно, на моменти ми дотягаше заради тази обсебеност, за която се създаваше впечатление от романа. Шийла израства в сиропиталище, успява със собствени сили и амбицията си да се измъкне от гетата на Лондон, да си спечели място в обществото, да бъде желана от най-богатите и успешни мъже. Но всичко това е оставено на заден план, за сметка на любовната й афера с Фицджералд. Тя дори в Холивуд успява да се издигне, работи за едни от най-популярните вестници и вписва колонки в тях, разкривайки тайните на известните личности. И това остава някак пренебрегнато, за сметка на проблемите й със Скот.
Впрочем, мнението ми за Фицджералд е доста негативно след прочитането на този роман и, докато към Шийла останах сравнително безразлична заради липсата на фокус върху самата нея, то имах доста причини да се настроя негативно към него. Да, той може да бъде галантен джентълмен, както е описан поне. И да, някога е имал голяма слава заради романите си. Бил е уважаван и обичан. Но Шийла го хваща в момент, в който никой вече не се интересува от романите му. Той пише сценарии за филми, повечето от които не довършва, защото бива уволнен. Има огромен проблем с алкохола и това го превръща в коренно различен човек, когато пие. И освен това е достатъчно безхарактерен, че да се поддава на всичките си пороци и достатъчно безгръбначен, че да унижава жената, която обича, за сметка на тези пороци и заради жена, с която отдавна няма нищо общо.
Въпреки че ми беше интересно да разбера повече за самата история и за случилото се между Шийла и Фицджералд, не останах с особено добри впечатления от романа. Стилът на авторката е доста плосък, неинтересен, липсва му задълбоченост, заради което и персонажите, в случая действителни личности, изглеждаха някак повърхностни, представени бегло и посредствено, а самата епоха по никакъв начин не се открояваше със своите характерни черти. Липсваше ми връзката на двамата с други хора, защото дори любов като тяхната не е единственото нещо, съществуващо на света, особено предвид, че и двамата са били светски личности. Споменати бяха много известни и неизвестни хора от онези времена, но просто като имена, случайни минувачи. Определено ми липсваше дълбочина на романа и героите, което повлия върху цялостното ми впечатление.
May 27, 2018
Another Side of Paradise is a book that will enthrall readers from the very first page, a book that is utterly absorbing and entertaining. I started this book knowing a little about F. Scott Fitzgerald, and nothing about Sheilah Graham and their romance. When they meet, Sheilah has pulled herself out of a hardscrabble life in the slums of London, and has embarked on a career as a gossip columnist in Hollywood; Scott’s greatest achievements are behind him. I found Sheila’s life story especially compelling, filled with so many hardships. Their relationship is told with gritty detail, poignant moments, and leaving the reader with no doubt in their love. I loved the old, nostalgic Hollywood feel of this book. This book is written with wit and charm, with compassion and realism, with heart and a great sense of history.
August 31, 2018
Sally Koslow's foray into historical fiction was a real treat. ANOTHER SIDE OF PARADISE is a well-crafted and fascinating tale about a woman I couldn't help but root for. In fact, from the beginning of her story I wished I could sit Sheilah Graham down and talk her out of falling for the infamous drinker, Scott F. Fitzgerald. Though we all know how his story ended, through her eyes we meet a different Scott, and come to a new understanding about not only his fading star, but her own rising one, and the ever-changing life in Hollywood. Koslow's tell-tale unique and lovely metaphors, and touches of emotional insight, are sprinkled throughout, and enrich this engaging novel.
December 21, 2018
Koslow has long been a favorite writer of mine and her latest takes on the scandalous affair between F. Scott Fitzgerald and gossip columnist Sheilah Graham. Spanning 1930s Hollywood to London, this book is dark yet exhilarating, emotional yet fun. Do not miss!
August 29, 2018
This book was an eye opener for me as I knew nothing about the love affair between Sheilah Graham, a gossip columnist, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The author brings to life this unbelievable and at times tragic relationship through memoirs, interviews, and letters. I was addicted to Sheilah’s personal life, her crazy attraction to Scott, her interviews with the Hollywood stars, and all the glitz of the 1930’s. Kudos to Koslow for a well-researched book that was fascinating. Thank you HarperCollins for sending me this book.
May 11, 2018
I was familiar with F Scott Fitzgerald due to required college reading and was aware of his marriage to Zelda thanks to a book that I read by Lee Smith but had never read anything about Fitzgerald's affair with Sheilah Graham. Thanks to the amount of research that the author did to write this book, both Sheilah and Fitzgerald came alive for me. I loved this book.
Sheilah is a famous gossip columnist in the 30s who has totally changed herself from the poor Jewish girl who grew up in a orphanage. As she is digging up secrets on movie stars of the day, she is scrupulously hiding her own secrets. When she meets Scott at a party, she is instantly drawn to him. He had been a popular novelist back int he 20s (The great Gatsby) but alcohol and poor reviews of his later novels have brought him to Hollywood to try to be a script writer. He seems to feel that he is still very popular in literary circles even as he's being turned down by producers in Hollywood. The love affair between Scott (who is still married to Zelda) and Sheilah is both glorious and tumultuous. Their lives with each other made this a fantastic book that I couldn't put down.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Sheilah is a famous gossip columnist in the 30s who has totally changed herself from the poor Jewish girl who grew up in a orphanage. As she is digging up secrets on movie stars of the day, she is scrupulously hiding her own secrets. When she meets Scott at a party, she is instantly drawn to him. He had been a popular novelist back int he 20s (The great Gatsby) but alcohol and poor reviews of his later novels have brought him to Hollywood to try to be a script writer. He seems to feel that he is still very popular in literary circles even as he's being turned down by producers in Hollywood. The love affair between Scott (who is still married to Zelda) and Sheilah is both glorious and tumultuous. Their lives with each other made this a fantastic book that I couldn't put down.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
June 5, 2019
**Warning: this text may contain spoilers** I received this paperback for honest Review.
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Thank you @suzyapprovedbookreviews @suzyapprovedbooktours for the free copy.
Reading preference tends towards psychological thrillers and mysteries. I find that I don't need to have a connection with any of the characters in order to appreciate the book, when reading that genre. Not so with historical fiction, as I could not connect with The Paris Wife but loved Circling the Sun by Paula McClain....I put the Swans of Fifth Avenue down half way through, but would rate "The Girls in the Picture" by the same author, Melanie Benjamin; in my top five favorite of 2017. True to form, I really liked Lily Shiel/Sheila Graham and admired her self-reliant ways, growing up without a family and a formal education. Her 3 1/2 year heartbreaking romance with F. Scott Fitzgerald and their dependence on each is also brought to life in fascinating detail.
Born into a London slum.....in 1910, six year old Lily Shiel and her older brother Morris are left at the Jew's Orphan Asylum, by their widowed mother. For the next 8 years Lily is an exemplary student and excels in sports. When she is 14, she hopes to win a school scholarship, and instead is forced to take care of her ailing mother. The matron at the Orphanage's parting words are one's that exemplifies Lily life from then on "Destiny is what you make of fate" By 1924, Lily is free from her familiar responsibilities and "cuts off her past like a butcher hacks away at gristle" She abandons her religion and re-invents herself with a vengeance. Lily's first husband, John Graham Gillian is an older English gentleman, who becomes her Henry Higgins, transforming her into a lady by way of speech, manners and wardrobe. Over the ensuing years, Lily changes her name to Sheila Graham, trades in on her beauty and charm and tries her hand at acting, as she ingratiates herself into the British elite. She eventually moves to New York, where she is hired at The Evening Journal as an "authentic journalist" but finds that while this profession suits her, she does not fit in with the New York lifestyle. Sheila eventually moves to Hollywood, as "how bloody hard could it be to report on movie stars?" At a party, she meets F. Scott Fitzgerald and begins a tumultuous love affair with the married novelist, whose star is descending as hers is on a rise. Fitzgerald furthers her education and while supportive of her career/intelligence... he can also be callous, cruel and physically abusive.
Another Side of Paradise covers Sheila's life from 1910 up to 1940. Readers should be aware that there is only one chapter in the form of an epilogue about Sheila's later years, including her memoir Beloved Infidel. Since the story is told in the first person, the reader does get a real sense of the woman and what motivated her to make the choices she did....including why her relationship with Fitzgerald may have worked. The author also did an admirable job of bringing F. Scott Fitzgerald to life.....The last years of his life in Hollywood. Fitzgerald worked as a screenwriter in an industry that no longer appreciated his immense talent. Sheila remains supportive, as she deals with Fitzgerald's dark moods and alcoholic binges. Well written, informative, in parts both humorous and poignant.... a page turning historical fiction.
I highly recommend!
#sponsored #suzyapproved #suzyapprovedbooktours
Thank you @suzyapprovedbookreviews @suzyapprovedbooktours for the free copy.
Reading preference tends towards psychological thrillers and mysteries. I find that I don't need to have a connection with any of the characters in order to appreciate the book, when reading that genre. Not so with historical fiction, as I could not connect with The Paris Wife but loved Circling the Sun by Paula McClain....I put the Swans of Fifth Avenue down half way through, but would rate "The Girls in the Picture" by the same author, Melanie Benjamin; in my top five favorite of 2017. True to form, I really liked Lily Shiel/Sheila Graham and admired her self-reliant ways, growing up without a family and a formal education. Her 3 1/2 year heartbreaking romance with F. Scott Fitzgerald and their dependence on each is also brought to life in fascinating detail.
Born into a London slum.....in 1910, six year old Lily Shiel and her older brother Morris are left at the Jew's Orphan Asylum, by their widowed mother. For the next 8 years Lily is an exemplary student and excels in sports. When she is 14, she hopes to win a school scholarship, and instead is forced to take care of her ailing mother. The matron at the Orphanage's parting words are one's that exemplifies Lily life from then on "Destiny is what you make of fate" By 1924, Lily is free from her familiar responsibilities and "cuts off her past like a butcher hacks away at gristle" She abandons her religion and re-invents herself with a vengeance. Lily's first husband, John Graham Gillian is an older English gentleman, who becomes her Henry Higgins, transforming her into a lady by way of speech, manners and wardrobe. Over the ensuing years, Lily changes her name to Sheila Graham, trades in on her beauty and charm and tries her hand at acting, as she ingratiates herself into the British elite. She eventually moves to New York, where she is hired at The Evening Journal as an "authentic journalist" but finds that while this profession suits her, she does not fit in with the New York lifestyle. Sheila eventually moves to Hollywood, as "how bloody hard could it be to report on movie stars?" At a party, she meets F. Scott Fitzgerald and begins a tumultuous love affair with the married novelist, whose star is descending as hers is on a rise. Fitzgerald furthers her education and while supportive of her career/intelligence... he can also be callous, cruel and physically abusive.
Another Side of Paradise covers Sheila's life from 1910 up to 1940. Readers should be aware that there is only one chapter in the form of an epilogue about Sheila's later years, including her memoir Beloved Infidel. Since the story is told in the first person, the reader does get a real sense of the woman and what motivated her to make the choices she did....including why her relationship with Fitzgerald may have worked. The author also did an admirable job of bringing F. Scott Fitzgerald to life.....The last years of his life in Hollywood. Fitzgerald worked as a screenwriter in an industry that no longer appreciated his immense talent. Sheila remains supportive, as she deals with Fitzgerald's dark moods and alcoholic binges. Well written, informative, in parts both humorous and poignant.... a page turning historical fiction.
I highly recommend!
June 17, 2018
3 1/2 - 4 stars. I like the historical fiction style and I loved reading about Sheilah Graham, who I had not known was F. Scott Fitzgerald's mistress. The book is well written and very well researched but I think it lost some of the momentum around halfway through and at times I got tired of the repetitious cycle of F. Scott Fitzgerald's alcoholic binges, Sheilah being embarrassed and 'abused' (verbally) and then taking him back and doing it all over again. On the other hand, that is basically what happened and most people can relate to a toxic, intoxicating relationship that you can't break away from.
June 27, 2019
By Lily Shield a young orphaned Jewish girl who grew up in an orphanage in England. Lily marries at a young age and changes her name to Sheilah Graham and makes her way to Hollywood..
The era is 1930 Hollywood and Sheilah Graham has become very popular gossip columnist, covering all of the juicy dirt on Hollywood stars. At a party one evening Sheilah meets F. Scott Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald at this point in his life was struggling to stay sober and writing his next novel and also dealing with his wife Zelda who has been sick and living in a sanitarium. Sheilah becomes Fitzgerald’s mistress; she truly is in love with him; she is the strength he needs in his life. Their relationship is not easy, there are highs and lows.
The book is so well researched and written, the details make you feel as though you are living the story with them. If you are a historical fiction lover, especially of what I feel is the greatest era of Hollywood glam, then you will absolutely love this book.
The era is 1930 Hollywood and Sheilah Graham has become very popular gossip columnist, covering all of the juicy dirt on Hollywood stars. At a party one evening Sheilah meets F. Scott Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald at this point in his life was struggling to stay sober and writing his next novel and also dealing with his wife Zelda who has been sick and living in a sanitarium. Sheilah becomes Fitzgerald’s mistress; she truly is in love with him; she is the strength he needs in his life. Their relationship is not easy, there are highs and lows.
The book is so well researched and written, the details make you feel as though you are living the story with them. If you are a historical fiction lover, especially of what I feel is the greatest era of Hollywood glam, then you will absolutely love this book.
January 16, 2022
"How do you get over F. Scott Fitzgerald? You don't. The moment we met my life began to snap into focus, revealing a gate to which only he had a key." (p. 336)
This story begins with an interlude of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s death, from the point of view of Sheilah Graham, his mistress for 4 years once Zelda was institutionalized. The narrative then jumps to 1937, when Sheilah first glimpses Scott at a party, describing him as “the sad man with the blonde hair" and is instantly intrigued by his handsomeness. They meet again by chance at dinner and are taken with one another, quickly beginning a relationship.
The first portion of the book is then a flashback to Sheilah's life from 1910 until the 1930s, when she meets Scott. Born Lily Shiel, her family were poor Ukrainian Jews who emigrated to England. After the death of her father, she was put into an orphanage due to her mother’s inability to care for her. She tells her story of this rather depressing upbringing, including how she distanced herself from her family and began to make an almost entirely fictional life for herself. When she meets Scott, she is Sheila Graham, a celebrity gossip columnist who is engaged to the Marquess of Donnegall. She quickly ends this betrothal in favor of Scott.
Scott's wife, Zelda, is now in a sanitarium in North Carolina. He describes their marriage as being only legal, but refuses to even consider divorcing her. Throughout their relatively short relationship, Sheila gets a first hand seat to Scott’s battle with and descent in to alcoholism, which he couples with pills to both sleep and wake up. It’s hard to watch, but provides more insight into the author's life. The romance between these two very lost people in desperate need of true love and acceptance was hard to put down. I've already wanted to read Tender Is the Night, but am now looking to it even more as the romance and the character of Kathleen are said to be modeled after Graham.
From the brief research I did on Graham, majority of this novel seems to be accurate, aside from what is hinted at in the epilogue. I also enjoyed the abundant references to pop culture of the 1930s, mentioning everything from The Wizard of Oz to Snow White to Fitzgerald's feud with Hemingway.
This story begins with an interlude of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s death, from the point of view of Sheilah Graham, his mistress for 4 years once Zelda was institutionalized. The narrative then jumps to 1937, when Sheilah first glimpses Scott at a party, describing him as “the sad man with the blonde hair" and is instantly intrigued by his handsomeness. They meet again by chance at dinner and are taken with one another, quickly beginning a relationship.
The first portion of the book is then a flashback to Sheilah's life from 1910 until the 1930s, when she meets Scott. Born Lily Shiel, her family were poor Ukrainian Jews who emigrated to England. After the death of her father, she was put into an orphanage due to her mother’s inability to care for her. She tells her story of this rather depressing upbringing, including how she distanced herself from her family and began to make an almost entirely fictional life for herself. When she meets Scott, she is Sheila Graham, a celebrity gossip columnist who is engaged to the Marquess of Donnegall. She quickly ends this betrothal in favor of Scott.
Scott's wife, Zelda, is now in a sanitarium in North Carolina. He describes their marriage as being only legal, but refuses to even consider divorcing her. Throughout their relatively short relationship, Sheila gets a first hand seat to Scott’s battle with and descent in to alcoholism, which he couples with pills to both sleep and wake up. It’s hard to watch, but provides more insight into the author's life. The romance between these two very lost people in desperate need of true love and acceptance was hard to put down. I've already wanted to read Tender Is the Night, but am now looking to it even more as the romance and the character of Kathleen are said to be modeled after Graham.
From the brief research I did on Graham, majority of this novel seems to be accurate, aside from what is hinted at in the epilogue. I also enjoyed the abundant references to pop culture of the 1930s, mentioning everything from The Wizard of Oz to Snow White to Fitzgerald's feud with Hemingway.
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