Written in a decade when American music and literature were exploding in new directions, F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tales of the Jazz Age (1922) is a collection of eleven short stories that capture the spirit of the times. The author of The Great Gatsby divided this collection into three parts: My Last Flappers, Fantasies, and Unclassified Masterpieces. Among these beloved short works is the classic The Curious Case of Benjamin Button which describes a man who grows younger in appearance as he ages.
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"After about the fourth short story I felt that the themes, characters, and tensions lacked variety. Fitzgerald's writing always catches me but his characters in the last three stories made dim his artistry. Would recommend but would also suggest sticking to his novels."
— Kristin (4 out of 5 stars)
" Fun and fast. Great insight into the 1920s with very curious topics. "
— Erica, 11/29/2013" I only read The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but I should really read the others too. "
— Shannon, 11/8/2013" Contains "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," which I really dig, and "The Jelly-Bean," also rather dope. "
— stacia, 10/22/2013" Thoroughly enchanted by Fitzgerald's paradoxical images of the American 1920's, both glamorous and tragic, sparkling yet hollow. Loved the short stories. "
— Shannon, 10/19/2013" Fascinating collection of short stories that shows how F. Scott Fitzgerald sustained himself between books. "
— Maureen, 5/24/2013" The jazz age in America -- Fitzgerald in his element. "
— Graf, 2/23/2013" Fantastic short stories, with The Camel's Back and The Lees of Happiness being the highlights. "
— Kalle, 2/22/2013" there is nothing profound in these stories except maybe their triviality. however, i think this boom is worth the read - you'll find yourself feeling very satisfied at the end of each tale. "
— Lucky, 10/11/2012" Selected by my bookgroup. Still thinking about how to assess the stories. The plots and ideas and even perspectives seem to me to be definitely flawed, but some of the writing is definitely beautiful. More later. "
— Judith, 10/7/2012" My favorite story was The Adjuster. The other were good, interesting how everyone has all the same issues no matter what decade they live in. "
— Jessie, 9/10/2012" Many of the stories did not resonate with me, but I thought that they were imaginative. "The Case of Benjamin Button" was the original concept for the movie by the same name and interesting in its differences. "
— Carole, 7/23/2012" Fitzgerald is a master of Short Story, his stories are timeless. "
— Nate, 6/16/2012" Worth another read, individual stories range in quality but on balance entertaining. Short stories can be quite refreshing. "
— Bolivera, 5/2/2012" Not much to say - I think I liked the style more than the themes though.... "
— Kay, 4/2/2012" The Camel's Back was hilarious! Quite the cautionary tale. "
— Joanna, 11/11/2011" Some very good and just good short stories--I hadn't realized what a sense of humor Fitzgerald had. "
— Sara, 5/18/2011" This was a 5 star book up until the last several stories which seemed completely out of place. Definitely an excellent read. "
— Shawn, 1/3/2011" "It was an age of miracles, it was an age of art, it was an age of excess, and it was an age of satire." "
— Valissa, 11/24/2010" Another great read on my Droid. Quick read. This was the basis for Benjamin Button. Now I have to see the movie. "
— Diane, 9/13/2010" Somw good stories, some not so good "
— Jack, 8/29/2010" Some good short stories, some a little dull. Liked best Benjamin Button and My Last Flappers! "
— Carol, 8/3/2010" Meh. Stick to Fitzgerald's novels is the lesson I'm walking away with. "
— tangled.up.in.blue, 7/11/2010" I read several of the stories from this book and they did not suit my taste (of lack thereof) in literature so I quit about half way through. <br/> <br/>Please don't let my opinion of these works deter you from giving it a try. "
— John, 6/23/2010" In this short story in this collection - Three Hours Between Planes - Fitzgerald handled this delicate story of first love brilliantly, springing out the surprise only towards the end. <br/> <br/>He certainly knows how to tell a good story. <br/> "
— Irene, 5/19/2010" Either I don't know enough about the era to understand it, or these stories were cryptic. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and rate it two stars instead of one. "
— Michael, 5/4/2010" Young F. Scott is obsessed with the terrifying notion of growing old and boring. Aren't we all? The literary equivalent of "Once in a Lifetime". And the Benjamin Button story is so much better than the movie it pretty much hurts. "
— Devin, 3/26/2010" <em>"O Russet Witch!</em> is probably the best short story I've ever read. Check it out. "
— Rich, 2/9/2010F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and educated at Princeton, where he was a leader in theatrical and literary activities. He began writing his first novel, This Side of Paradise, while serving in the army. Its publication in 1920 established him as the spokesman for the Jazz Age. His major novels include The Beautiful and Damned, The Great Gatsby, and Tender Is the Night.