This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Reviewed by: Jacob Roberts, Reference Assistant
Genre: Classic Literature
Suggested Age: Adults
What is the book about?: Fitzgerald’s debut novel, This Side of Paradise, follows a young egotist, Amory Blaine, who is born into a dysfunctional upper class family during the years surrounding World War I. The novel consists of two books; the first displaying his rise to status and his early ventures at St. Regis’s and Princeton. There is a short interlude that comments on his time at war, and then the second half of the novel follows his life after the Great War. The entire novel consists in his endeavor for status and prestige, and his attempt to makes sense of the world around him. Yet, due to those he encounters throughout his life, along with the circumstances he is put in, he begins to discover himself at the expense of losing what little understanding he held of the world around him.
My Review: While this novel fared far better during Fitzgerald’s lifetime than many of his other works, I must say that I prefer the stylistics in his other stories, such as The Great Gatsby, and Josephine: A Woman with a Past. The melodic prose that exists in his other works, presents itself as more or less a simple façade in This Side of Paradise. This is not to say that This Side of Paradise lacks beautiful imagery; just that it is evident that it was his debut novel, as his other works are seen to prosper from the mistakes that were made in this novel. However, beyond stylistics and purple prose, the novel as a whole has the ability to engage the reader until the end. It makes the reader as desirous for a resolution to Amory’s destiny as Amory himself. It even presents a few love affairs, which force the reader to wonder where they may lead to, and how they may soften Amory’s egotism and derail the life he aspires to live.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Contemplative, Romantic, Adventurous
Give This a Try if You Like… The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald, Atonement by Ian McEwan, and/or Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence
Rating: 3/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!