F. Scott, Ernest and Me

by Tony Davis

'The unpublished novelist arrived in Paris fully aware that if he was going to be one of the giants of 20th-century literature he didn't have much time '

So begins a simple tale of a man throwing in his job, moving somewhere exotic and attempting to fulfil his life's ambition of writing a Great Work. In the service of an outrageous clich , Davis moved to the world's premier city of art and literature to look for a down-and-out garret (ideally with a view of several towers, arches, domes and flying buttresses) in the city where Ernest Hemingway found his true voice, F. Scott Fitzgerald worked on Tender is the Night, Eric Blair transformed into George Orwell and Henry Miller nearly starved while creating the first of his stunning Tropic novels.

Davis also had a few other modest aims: to learn French, to finally read and understand James Joyce's Ulysses, to come to terms with the loss of a friend and to divine the very meaning of life. But above all, he was determined to write something as beautiful, profound and critically acclaimed as anything F. Scott Fitzgerald or Ernest Hemingway produced in the City of Light.

Paris had other plans. The ghosts of the city, mysterious women and a cavalcade of eccentrics began to distract the would-be novelist from his perfectly conceived, success-guaranteed literary opus. As bombs exploded across Paris and strikes and political turmoil brought it to a standstill, the Great Work was catapulted in the most unlikely direction imaginable.

More than a fast-paced and often hilarious look at the writing process and the shadows cast by literary greats, 'F. Scott, Ernest And Me' is an inspiring story of how big dreams and sheer tenacity can overcome everything. Well, almost everything.

329 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Tony Davis is widely blamed for LEMON! 60 HEROIC FAILURES OF MOTORING, an Australian bestseller that was published in US and UK editions – and which has been adapted into the hit book for kids, YOU MUST BE SKIDDING! He is also responsible for the eccentric literary memoir F. SCOTT, ERNEST AND ME, plus the new children’s series ROLAND WRIGHT, FUTURE KNIGHT.

Before courageously leaving a well-paid job to be a full-time author (at the end of 2005), Tony had a long and successful career in newspapers, magazines and publishing. He has worked at THE AUSTRALIAN and THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, has held senior editing and news roles, and has written extensively about popular culture, history, motoring, television and a myriad of other subjects.

Tony lives in northern Sydney with his wife Carolyn and their three sons, William, James and Daniel.

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

To observe that this is meta is an understatement. It is essentially a book that he has written about his attempt to write a book... or, actually, two books.
Neither attempt seems to have succeeded.
This is a great read for anyone who has ever been told by all their friends that they really should write a novel. A cautionary tale, even.

[Georgia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it a little difficult to get into at first, but the narrator's clear, humorous style and the eccentric cast of characters (including the city) made this an enjoyable reading experience, with a rather inspiring final message.

[Kristy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty ordinary.