Flappers and Philosophers: Library Edition

Rating:
Summary: A good sampling of Fitzgerald
Review: This collection of short stories takes a candid look at America in the early 20th century. There isn't a stinker in the lot, but I think "Bernice Bobs Her Hair" is my favorite. Fitzgerald has a way of making his readers connect with unlikeable characters that seems almost magical.

Rating:
Summary: A fine read
Review: What marks this collection is a depth of feeling and sensitivity. Fitzgerald has a large degree of empathy for the creatures he writes about--whether they're the young "pirate," poor dull Bernice, or the ruined heroine of the "Cut-Glass Bowl." It's the book's saving grace, because sometimes Fitzgerald will lapse into purple prose, and the structure of the stories is often pat and cutsey in that O'Henry manner.But this is still a memorable book, one you look fondly back upon. IA

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, Popular Pieces That Paid The Bills.
Review: ``Flappers and Philosophers'' was F. Scott Fitzgerald's first short-story collection. It's an entertaining group, brimming with the spirit of youth.
The author's first published novel, ``This Side of Paradise,'' sold well. To capitalize on this publisher Charles Scribner collected eight of Fitzgerald's magazine stories and published them in a single volume in September 1920.
The collection contains two of the author's best-known short works -- ``The Ice Palace'' and ``Bernice Bobs Her Hair.'' Fitzgerald shows considerable skill in depicting horror in ``The Ice Palace'' as well as ``The Cut-Glass Bowl.'' Although Fitzgerald wrote to H.L. Mencken that ``Bernice'' was ``trash,'' the story is strong in showing the workings of peer pressure and popularity seeking.
``Flappers and Philosophers'' was dedicated to Fitzgerald's wife, the spirited and mercurial Zelda. Fittingly, we meet a Zelda on the very first page -- Ardita Farnam of ``The Offshore Pirate.'' ``Pirate'' is a romance that dwarfs contemporary Harlequin-type gruel.
Most of the stories have at least one good plot twist. ``Dalyrimple Goes Wrong'' and ``Head and Shoulders'' are the best of the twisters.
``Four Fists'' rings a bit hollow but it's well written. ``Benediction'' is the weakest story in the group. The brother and sister constantly using each other's names was grating. The hint of incest turned me off doubly. ``The Cut-Glass Bowl'' was my favorite.
The collection ought to be read and put in context by students of Fitzgerald. Students should know that these stories are what made Fitzgerald known to the American reading public during his lifetime. Today Fitzgerald is known for ``The Great Gatsby,'' a, if not THE, masterpiece novel. But ``Gatsby'' was a commercial flop during the author's lifetime. What fueled Fitzgerald's celebrity in the 1920s and what paid his considerable bills was short stories. So buy and read ``Flappers and Philosophers'' as well as ``Tales of The Jazz Age'' to see why pre-Depression America fell in love with F. Scott Fitzgerald.