In this enchanting memoir, New Yorker writer Calvin Tomkins re-creates the privileged world of Gerald and Sara Murphy, two American originals who f...
read full description
reviews
Jan 29, 2011
Jerome Espinosa
rated it: 
There is something very aptly highlighted about the title of this book that in turned prompted me to spend time reading it. It's actually a brief book that I finished in a less than a week during my trips to and fro the city. It's a memoir about persons whose lives were the inspiration of the characters in Fitzgerald's 'Tender Is The Night' - it would have helped me a lot to appreciate this memoir better (or put things in a perspective) if I read before that Fitzgerald book or even took time to
More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 21, 2011
Monique
rated it: 
fantastic biography about the early lives of american expats sara and gerald murphy who supported generously the 1920s arts and letters expats (cole porter, picasso, fitzgerald and hemingway, etc) - they also helped invent the french riviera season when they bought and threw parties in their villa america home in cap d'antibes. Known for perfecting the art of living and their love of life, friends and the arts, living well was their best revenge for tragic turn of events they later (sadly) exper
More...
Jan 10, 2012
Ann
rated it:
I love this story! I love that Tompkins was friends with Gerald and Sara Murphy and my only wish is that it were longer! Although Amanda Vaille's version satisfies in that respect.
Sep 07, 2011
Paula
rated it:
The Murphys have a reputation as incredibly charming hosts to the members of the Paris ex-pat community of the 1920's.
Tompkins attempts to bring them to life almost successfully.
Tompkins attempts to bring them to life almost successfully.
Dec 27, 2008
Mark
rated it:
This was a perfect book. I sat down on the chaise and read this in one complete sitting. The Murphy's are magical. Writing doesn't get any better than this.
Nov 01, 2010
Steven
rated it:
Story of Gerald and Sara Murphy, models for Fitzgeralds characters in Tender is the Night,
center of artistic circle in Europe, most interesting for Gerald's art.
center of artistic circle in Europe, most interesting for Gerald's art.
Jan 29, 2012
D.A.
rated it:
What can I say? This is probably the book that has always kept me wanting to be a writer.
Feb 07, 2011
Mimi
rated it:
This is a lovely small book, with great pictures of the Murphy's life style in France and even some photos of the few paintings by Gerald Murphy. I had read most of this a long time ago, but it was great to revisit the life of the people who so strongly influenced Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and were so much a part of the romantic 1920's period in France when life was so newly "invented".
Sep 11, 2008
Melissa
rated it:
Not the most well written book...a little disjointed. But I have found role models in this couple. And I am now on a mission to find a print of Gerald's artwork.
Jun 24, 2008
Allan
rated it: 
There is some interesting information here, and a lot of colorful characters make appearances, but the writing is really not good.
Feb 07, 2012
Feb 06, 2012
Feb 02, 2012
Jan 29, 2012
Jan 29, 2012
Jan 26, 2012
Jan 20, 2012
Jan 13, 2012
Jan 07, 2012
Jan 06, 2012
Dec 27, 2011
Dec 24, 2011
Dec 08, 2011
