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F. Scott Fitzgerald
The life of F. Scott Fitzgerald reads like one of his own a young man of great promise marries into wealth; his life seems golden but beneath the surface lie alcoholism, debt, insecurity and in Fitzgerald's case the mental instability of hisbeautiful faithless wife, Zelda. PENGUIN ILLUSTRATED LIVES is a new series of photographic biographies that allows you to step into the world of your favourite writers. Each title contains a brief text, integrated with over one hundred images, many in colour, allowing an immediate, intimate understanding of their their family, friends, home and work. Also included are particular visual treats such as first-edition covers, manuscript pages, letters and doodles.
158 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 11, 2025
This was a wonderful book about the tragic, heart-breaking life of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda. They had the potential to have everything and seemed the ruin it for themselves at every turn. Much of Gatsby was based on Fitzgerald's own experiences, and Daisy and Tom were based slightly on an affair his wife was having at the time. But don't feel sorry for Scott! He had plenty of affairs to make up for his wife's adultery. Sad, sad lives and I feel so sorry for their little girl who had to watch her parents fall apart and lose each other. Fitzgerald died at just 44-years-old and, like poor Gatsby, only thirty people attended his funeral. Scott himself wrote the line that covers his grave and sums his life up nicely: "And so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
May 9, 2013
Substance is so much more important than length in a biography, and this little book was packed with a lean life story that was really worthwhile reading. It was easy to see where Fitzgerald fit in with history, with his literary contemporaries, and with Zelda (without being overwhelmed by her story). It was fascinating to see how his life resulted in his work, and his work helped create his life. And Ms Prigozy's style was spare, flowing, and made for one terrific evening's read. Now, I want to ferret out her other works about Fitzgerald.
September 30, 2019
A quick refresher on the facts of Fitzgerald's life. Great photos. I fell right in love with Scott & Zelda again.
January 7, 2012
Good little overview of Fitzgerald's life, filled with photos of Scott and Zelda and all the characters in their lives. I find him and that whole era fascinating. Sad and fascinating.
December 29, 2020
Full review at: https://readingourshelves.com/2020/12...
I feel like most avid readers have a few ideas about Fitzgerald – many of his books were at least semi-biographical, and he and his wife were famous symbols of the roaring twenties. This book dashes through all the eras of Fitzgerald’s life, though, without much romanticizing.
While most of us know Fitzgerald from his novels, he mostly paid his bills (or didn’t, often) by writing short stories. Many of these were published in magazines first, most notably in “The Saturday Evening Post.” Some were later compiled into anthologies, as well.
Fitzgerald drank a lot, and his wife Zelda spent her later years in a mental institution. These two issues soaked up most of his money, and he spent a lot of time worrying about money. To his credit, though, he always pushed himself to write more to make money. He also borrowed from family, but his drunkeness never led to a period when he wasn’t writing – and often profusely.
There are some interesting tidbits in this book about his friendships (and rivalries) with other writers (including Ernest Hemingway), editors, and even Hollywood personalities of the time. The Fitzgeralds were always trying to be fashionable, and several of Scott’s stories made it to the silver screen during his lifetime. While he did try his hand and screenwriting on several different occassions, he did not have much luck hanging around Hollywood himself.
F. Scott Fitzgerald did die in Hollywood, though, at the home of his girlfriend. He was only 44 years old at the time.
This was a quick read, and I loved all the pictures of the Fitzgeralds’ travels.
I feel like most avid readers have a few ideas about Fitzgerald – many of his books were at least semi-biographical, and he and his wife were famous symbols of the roaring twenties. This book dashes through all the eras of Fitzgerald’s life, though, without much romanticizing.
While most of us know Fitzgerald from his novels, he mostly paid his bills (or didn’t, often) by writing short stories. Many of these were published in magazines first, most notably in “The Saturday Evening Post.” Some were later compiled into anthologies, as well.
Fitzgerald drank a lot, and his wife Zelda spent her later years in a mental institution. These two issues soaked up most of his money, and he spent a lot of time worrying about money. To his credit, though, he always pushed himself to write more to make money. He also borrowed from family, but his drunkeness never led to a period when he wasn’t writing – and often profusely.
There are some interesting tidbits in this book about his friendships (and rivalries) with other writers (including Ernest Hemingway), editors, and even Hollywood personalities of the time. The Fitzgeralds were always trying to be fashionable, and several of Scott’s stories made it to the silver screen during his lifetime. While he did try his hand and screenwriting on several different occassions, he did not have much luck hanging around Hollywood himself.
F. Scott Fitzgerald did die in Hollywood, though, at the home of his girlfriend. He was only 44 years old at the time.
This was a quick read, and I loved all the pictures of the Fitzgeralds’ travels.
May 10, 2019
Very brief and lacks new information
September 23, 2021
Good short illustrated biography. Covers much more than I expected, including many life incidents which were used in his novels.
May 25, 2009
Next to Hemingway, no other American author was quite so photogenic as F. Scott Fitzgerald. Prigozy's simple biography serves as an extended caption to many nicely reproduced photographs from Fitzgerald's early childhood to his early death at the age of 44. In spite of his dissipations, addictions, and infelicities, Fitzgerald remained a remarkably handsome man. He really knew how to wear a suit.
I learned a lot about his wife, Zelda, too. In fact, she appears in almost as many photos as Scott; so, I guess we get a two-for-one biography (or a half-for-one, depending on how you look at it). Still, I was touched by their devotion to one another that wasn't lessened by alcoholism, financial problems, and mental instability. Fitzgerald remains a very appealing figure in American letters: a pure romantic who wrote as he lived -- to find love and create pleasure.
I learned a lot about his wife, Zelda, too. In fact, she appears in almost as many photos as Scott; so, I guess we get a two-for-one biography (or a half-for-one, depending on how you look at it). Still, I was touched by their devotion to one another that wasn't lessened by alcoholism, financial problems, and mental instability. Fitzgerald remains a very appealing figure in American letters: a pure romantic who wrote as he lived -- to find love and create pleasure.
February 24, 2013
This book is a biography about a famous writer F.Scott Fitzgerald and it includes photos never seen and some information about his life that has not never been published before in any story about the writer.The book highlights Fitzgerald childhood days and his struggles as a young adult into man hood . As well As the success which came from many years of writings and socializing with others.The book was very insightful,and i like the fact that there were photos of the writer along with his family in friends because it helped me to understand Fitzgerald life and the things that he had faced though out his life time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2013
Basically a good job--and the pictures are great. Unfortunately in places tainted with the taste of academia, unfortunately seeming to be inevitable in things like this (and from the executive director of the F Scott Fitzgerald Society, no less!--I twirl my finger in the air and let out a "whoopee" in her honor). Zelda didn't look anything like how I thought--didn't know she was from 'Bama either. Actually a couple of her paintings looked cool--maybe I'll get into her stuff (that's what Scott said...oh shut up). Interesting that Edward Everett Horton was once Fitz's landlord.
April 2, 2010
Small book with nice photos and a fast read. Average rendering of his life.
November 11, 2014
Tragic life of Fitzgerald. V helpful background for those wanting to teach Gatsby!
December 31, 2012
Good little biography about Fitzgerald with updated facts and without too much bias.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews