Flappers And Philosophers (2006) - Plot & Excerpts
It is hard not to agree with great writers and critics, like Gertrude Stein and T.S. Eliot, who have maintained that nobody embodied and epitomized the voice of his own generation like Fitzgerald, after reading his work. 'Flappers and Philosophers', Fitzgerald's first short story collection, is no exception. 'Flappers and Philosophers' offers a good selection of Fitzgerald's writing. Two stories, from the selection of eight, 'Bernice Bobs Her Hair' and 'The Cut-Glass Bowl', have already achieved the status of classics of American short stories. Nevertheless, 'Flappers and Philosophers' was never given the critical attention it deserves. To give just one example, a Penguin Classics edition of 'Flappers and Philosophers', published in 2010 and edited by Sarah Churchwell, includes 'The Ice Palace' besides the two stories already mentioned. That means that the vast majority, five out of eight, were left out, in a collection entitled 'Flappers and Philosophers'. Gems like 'The Offshore Pirate', 'Head and Shoulders' and 'Benediction' are still unappreciated, in my opinion. Flappers and Philosophers:1) The Offshore Pirate:I fell in love with this collection, and with Fitzgerald as a writer, from the very first page of 'The Offshore Pirate'. The way Fitzgerald writes is truly like "the dust on a butterfly's wings", as Hemingway, almost enviously, put it. This phrase also reflects the fantastical nature of the language and story: "the yacht was quiet as a dream boat star-bound through the heavens." Or, "This unlikely story begins on a sea that was a blue dream...". The fantastical nature underlying some of Fitzgerald's stories is overlooked, even if there is, as in 'The Diamond as Big as The Ritz', a certain subtle commentary behind it all, such as on the disintegration of the American dream. Just magical, like the story itself. It is unfortunate that some racist readings, here on Goodreads, show that many people have completely missed the point, context and content of this gem. ~4.25/52) The Ice Palace:A woman romanticizes the industrial North. A man romanticizes the rural South. They get engaged. Chaos ensues. Of course, 'The Ice Palace' deals with a lot more than just that. Fitzgerald makes a continuous contrast between the North and the South, the past and the present, the old and the new and so on, which makes this story possess a certain kind of literary significance and value. The conclusion is characteristically Fitzgerald and, in its ambiguity, is definitely one of his best. Pure Magic.~4.5/5 3) Head and Shoulders:What an unusual and delightful story! A flapper, the gorgeous Marcia Meadows, goes to meet the reclusive character of Horace Tarbox in his study, who was aiming to become a world authority on Philosophy, to do his cousin Charlie Moon a favour:"It was Charlie Moon who promised her five thousand Pall Malls if she would pay a call on Horace Tarbox, prodigy extraordinary..."However, quite miraculously, they manage to fall in love with each other and get married. It is the role-reversal that takes place after they get married which adds a unique dynamic to the whole story, however, even if the whole story is interwoven with a refreshing, and quite ingenious, sense of humour and wit. I do not think that Zelda Sayre played such a devastating influence on Fitzgerald's life, as he tended to believe, as Marcia Meadows did on Horace Tarbox. In fact, I think that she came to reflect for Fitzgerald the ebullient optimism of the jazz age, unlike no other, and these stories prove this. ~4.25/54) The Cut-Glass Bowl:This is my review of another editionFew readers can sympathize with Fitzgerald's didactic ambitions for 'The Cut-Glass Bowl'. Either they are completely left confused or they think that it was too harsh on its protagonist, Evylyn. Many are of the opinion that although she had kept her dalliance with a certain Freddy secret from her husband, Evylyn was completely innocent on the day she was actually 'caught' with Freddy in their home (Freddy went to apologize and Evylyn actually wanted to end their affair on that day). However, as the story is set in the late 1800's, divorce was out of the question, and both had to endure a passionless marriage and life together just because of one 'mistake'.Obviously, there is more to the story than that. The 'Cut-Glass Bowl' adds a whole new dimension to the story altogether. Evylyn herself relates its history. Since Carleton Canby was once an ardent suitor of hers, he was unhappy that she chose to marry Harold over him. Carleton gave Evylyn the cut-glass bowl as a wedding 'present' ('curse' more rather) that was to haunt her for the rest of her life; "Evylyn, I'm going to give a present that's as hard as you are and as beautiful and as empty and as easy to see through". Unfortunately, Evylyn did not think that there was any significance to such meaningful words, as she put the cut-glass bowl in a prominent position on her shelves. However, the cut-glass bowl was the image of how she herself was seen and perceived. The story’s psychedelic scene and tragic ending are both important points to consider in this regard.While I agree that the point or message of 'The Cut-Glass Bowl' is quite difficult to take nowadays, it is still a story with acute symbolism and one of Fitzgerald's better efforts. ~4.5/55) Bernice Bobs Her Hair:Pure Genius. Pure Magic. Pure Fitzgerald.'Bernice Bobs Her Hair' is masterfully interwoven with all the echoes of the jazz age, highlighting the bold new rituals, slightly barbaric, of the new generation, without compromising on the all the "subtler byplay" going on. It is no wonder that this story has become the favourite of those who have read it, including mine. ~5/56) Benediction:Dealing with a Jesuit seminarist, Kieth, and the visit of his sister Lois to his seminary, one might be tempted to assume that 'Benediction' has nothing to do with the typical Fitzgerald subject matter or content. That is where you are wrong.In 'Benediction', we have Fitzgerald's innermost Catholic sensibilities in conflict with the seemingly incompatible nature of Catholicism with the new generation. Lois complains how 'inconvenient' being a Catholic is and how it does not seem to apply any more. She even mentions birth control as an example. However, Kieth mentions that the gift of faith is the force which carries them though the bad and the good times. What is clear is that, during Lois's epiphany, she makes a distinction between living and Kieth's sacrifice.The ending is also ambiguous, even if it suggests that Lois decides not to break off her engagement with Howard as she was planning to do. Overall, I think that this is a tragically under-rated story which deserves a lot of more attention than it has received till now and that it has a lot to chew on. By the way, I have found a very interesting and well-written article on 'Benediction', written by a Jesuit priest himself, for those who want to read more about it: https://whosoeverdesires.wordpress.co...~4.5/57) Dalyrimple Goes Wrong:Another unusual short story. I do not understand where Fitzgerald got such ideas from, to be honest. But, then again, that is the power of creativity. In short, Bryan Dalyrimple is a decorated war hero who suddenly realizes that his claim to fame has suddenly run out. He asks, practically begs, Mr. Macy for a job in his grocery store after many others have found numerous excuses to turn him down and break their word. However, he realizes that there must be more to life than his current predicament:"So that was it! He was to sit and see man after man pushed over him: sons, cousins, sons of friends, irrespective of their capabilities, while he was cast for a pawn..."After his epiphany, he realizes that in life you have to cut corners to get what you want, instead of working all your life for it. So, he becomes a burglar while thanking the council for not installing new lights in their community. Mr Macy, although he was initially dissatisfied with Dalyrimple's character and attitude, is pleased with the changed, improved and hard Dalyrimple, and tells his friend, the politician Mr Fraser, about it. Mr Fraser asks Dalyrimple to join the world of politics. I told you it was a strange story!However, behind the seemingly nonsensical turn of events, Fitzgerald is hinting that there is an aura of superficiality surrounding the implication that you have to cut corners in life to get what you want. That impatience is dangerous, and it is a shame that it has come to form part of modern, consumerist America and the American dream.~4.25/58) The Four Fists:Four Fists. Four Epiphanies. Is that not good enough of a summary for you?A snobbish Samuel Meredith is moulded into a success story by four different men, their violent tempers and their respective fists. An entertaining story, even if it does not reach the standard of the others somehow. I have also noticed that Fitzgerald has used two names, Marjorie and McIntyre, from 'Bernice Bobs Her Hair'. Was that to capitalize on that story's success?~4/5Overall: 5/5. Of the utmost literary significance in American literature.
С каждой новой прочитанной книгой Фицджеральда, я все больше убеждаюсь в наличие удивительного таланта этого автора. Истории и задумки, выходящие из под пера американского автора, всегда отличаются такой тонкостью и остротой, что и не снилась многим классикам литературы. А вкупе с потрясающе красивым и льющимся языком, чтение его романов доставляет поистине райское удовольствие.Общая атмосфера сборника очень двоякая, собственно, как и вся история века джаза. С одной стороны, это пышные вечеринки, головокружительные балы, растранжиривание, роскошные яхты, мечты и бесконечный флирт. Пустые головы, никаких планов, жизнь здесь и сейчас. С другой стороны, жить без разочарований, переживаний и тоски-скуки все равно невозможно. У каждой вечеринки есть конец, после которого ты остаешься один на один со своими мыслями. Каждый рассказ совершенно уникален. Все, что объединяет их воедино – общая тематика. Название сборника звучит как «Эмансипированные и глубокомысленные», и не удивительно, что многие рассказы посвящены теме женской независимости и пустоголовости, а некоторые тому, что не стоит открывать дверь всем подряд, ибо чревато :) Абсолютно все истории мне очень понравились и очень зацепили меня. Такое счастье читать книгу, в которой тебе все нравится!Это мое первое знакомство с Фицджеральдом в оригинале. Язык сложен витиеватее современного английского, но не так старомоден, как в романах девятнадцатого века, и вполне читабелен для уровня intermediate, хотя иногда приходилось привлекать к делу словарь. Конечно, сравнивая переводы на русский и оригинальный английский, становится печально, ибо не всю литературу возможно читать исключительно на языке автора по причине сложности и устаревания, а жаль. Английский язык и слог так прекрасен…
What do You think about Flappers And Philosophers (2006)?
3.5 stars. On the whole, I liked this collection much better than Fitzgerald's second one, Tales of the Jazz Age. Undoubtedly my favorite story was "The Four Fists" (ironically, the only one in the collection that really doesn't have a hint of Jazz Age flavor about it). It's a clever idea very well executed; indeed I'd almost put it on my list of favorite/most memorable short stories I've read. The rest, excepting "An Offshore Pirate" which is basically tongue-in-cheek, do continue to prove that you generally don't go to Fitzgerald for positively uplifting endings. But they have their merits: they're extremely well-written, and most of the endings do "fit," rather than just taking a sudden downturn at the last minute. "Benediction" is rather puzzling in that I couldn't figure out exactly what the ending was, or what Fitzgerald was trying to say with it, and with "Bernice Bobs Her Hair" I felt I'd have liked to know more about what happened with the characters afterwards and what effect the events of the story had on them. But the only ending I was really unhappy with was "Head and Shoulders," which I thought was sweet right up until the spin Fitzgerald chose to put on the last few lines.
—Elisabeth
“I won’t kiss you. It might get to be a habit and I can’t get rid of habits.” I sat and read these eight short stories waiting for my flight home from holiday, looking back I wish I’d spaced them out a bit more and made them last a bit longer, each story was unique, vivid and notable all separate and clear in my mind rather than ‘clumping’ together and though I wasn’t expecting to - for once I really enjoyed a piece of Fitzgerald’s writing.My favourite of the eight was the first story in the collection – “The Offshore Pirate” I guess it was the old romantic in me... I also loved how sassy this nineteen year old girl was – she’s brilliant in many ways I wish it was longer, I’d have loved to have read more of her story!Two other stories were coming of age stories featuring young women (something which surprised me considering so many of Fitzgerald’s protagonists are male) in “Bernice Bobs her hair” and “The Ice Palace” the first features a girl in a power struggle with her cousin while the latter follows Sally Carroll moves to a new town in the hopes of finding a husband however discovers how much she misses her southern home town.The three above are my favourite, however as I read them each story transported me away from the airport and into 8 different places and as I said when reviewing this side of paradise Fitzgerald creates vivid places where I would love to be transported.I know it isn’t a novel but more of a collection however these eight short stories are the best things I’ve read by Fitzgerald and I loved each and every one of them.
—Grace
I was lucky enough to read the Cambridge edition of this, which includes six additional stories and some bonus material including one alternate ending. Fitzgerald, like his contemporary Hemingway, excels at writing good stories about characters that I find unsympathetic. Not that they are all like that in this collection, and not that Fitzgerald himself didn't sympathize with them. But this is meant as a compliment--I enjoy reading most Fitzgerald stories whether I like the characters or not. Not every author can do that.
—Devyn Duffy
