The Cambridge Introduction to F. Scott Fitzgerald

Cambridge Introductions to Literature

by Kirk Curnutt

Although F. Scott Fitzgerald remains one of the most recognizable literary figures of the twentieth century, his legendary life - including his tempestuous romance with his wife and muse Zelda - continues to overshadow his art. However glamorous his image as the poet laureate of the 1920s, he was first and foremost a great writer with a gift for fluid, elegant prose. This introduction reminds readers why Fitzgerald deserves his preeminent place in literary history. It discusses not only his best-known works, The Great Gatsby (1925) and Tender Is the Night (1934), but the full scope of his output, including his other novels and his short stories. This book introduces new readers and students of Fitzgerald to his trademark themes, his memorable characters, his significant plots, the literary modes and genres from which he borrowed, and his inimitable style.

154 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2007

About the author

Kirk Curnutt is the author of twelve volumes of fiction and literary criticism. His first novel, Breathing Out the Ghost, won the 2008 Best Books of Indiana competition in the fiction category. It also won a bronze IPPY and was a Foreword Magazine Book of the Year finalist. His second novel, Dixie Noir, was published in November 2009. Other recent works include Key West Hemingway, co-edited with Gail D. Sinclair (UP of Florida), The Cambridge Introduction to F. Scott Fitzgerald, the fictional dialogue with Ernest Hemingway Coffee with Hemingway (with a preface by John Updike), and the short-story collection Baby, Let’s Make a Baby, Plus Ten More Stories. The recipient of a 2007-08 Alabama State Arts Council literary fellowship, he is currently at work on a nonfiction account of the 1956 attack on Nat King Cole in Birmingham.

Reviews

[Rebecca Dunbar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent volume on Fitzgerald. Despite being called an 'Introduction' to - as Curnutt states in the preface, the text offers both an introduction to and critical commentary on the Fitzgerald canon. For my purposes, it was particular useful to glean information about Fitzgerald's changing depiction of female characters. Excellent.

[Noisynoi · Rating 4 out of 5]

good for for the beginner and intermediate levels

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good, comprehensive look at Fitzgerald and his work. I was especially interested in the section titled "Major Themes," which helped clarify and validate some of my thoughts about "Gatsby" and other FSF books and stories. At 126 pages, this is an easily digestible introduction for newcomers and a handy review for longtime fans. Recommended.

[William Mego · Rating 2 out of 5]

Examination of Fitzgerald's life and work is a fine and useful overview. Past that, it wasn't compelling or especially pleasant to read. The sort of dry, muscular textbook copy that drives printing presses and lumber trucks towards greater, but ultimately less meaningful industry.