Review "Tender is the Night" F. Scott Fitzgerald

I just finished this book yesterday evening. I've been struggling to figure out how to review this book without giving away too much of the story. After all, the whole idea of this book is to twist and turn so much that nearly every page is interwoven into the main theme. Please forgive me if some of this sounds vague, I just don't want to spill the beans for those who want to read the story.

"Tender is the Night" starts off clearly enough. A youngish girl (17) and her mother are on vacation, touring Europe, and stop on the coast for a few days. It's there that she meets a group of rather...interesting folks, all older than she is, who take her in as a friend. From there, certain things escalate. There is a hint of something scandalous, though we don't know what it is until about halfway through the book. Of course, there are other titillating details, things that are said, things that happen, but you aren't quite sure how they might play into each other. But they do. Again, this is something that takes most of the book to see, though you do know that the entanglement is there, you just aren't sure how the bows are tied.

The book does change perspective, three times in fact, but it doesn't feel like a jarring change. It's more gradual, so it doesn't seem odd to be moving from one point of view to another. Actually, I found it interesting to go from one place to another, and see the world and what's happening through certain people's eyes.

I will admit I had a bit of a problem at one point with the time line. It took me a moment to readjust myself, and I did have to keep reminding myself of the time shift. However, I didn't find it too off putting.

The writing was excellent. It was easy enough to become absorbed in the story, and I did find myself wondering about the twist that I knew was coming up. It was the waiting for it, the wondering about it, that made the first half of the story so intriguing.

The second half covered the whole twist, not leaving anything to question. It was nicely done, though a little uncomfortable. I think that had to do more with the attitudes of the day rather than the actual issue.

The last few chapters of the book wrapped nearly everything up in a nice package. However, once I put the book down, I couldn't decide if I was satisfied with the ending or not. I have a huge soft spot for gooey endings, though I do realize that all stories shouldn't end that way. Indeed, some can't end that way. And though this one didn't end as terribly as "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold", I still didn't feel...fulfilled. But then it could be that was what Fitzgerald was going for. Once you read the book, you'll know what I mean.

Would I recommend this story? Yes. It was superbly written, nicely turned, and interesting in each part of the story. If you're looking for a good Fitzgerald book, and you've read "The Great Gatsby" (which is on my list, too), then this is one I'd definitely tell you to pick up.

Fitzgerald Shocks Me

I started reading "Tender is the Night" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. What can I say? I am shocked by how interesting this book is turning out to be. Again, I haven't read a synopsis nor opinions regarding this book, so it's all a surprise to me. And what a surprise!

While the descriptions can, yes, drone on (I'm beginning to think this is the style of the time), it's still not as dry as you might fear. In all actuality, it's quite scandalous when you consider the time frame. And yet it starts of innocuously enough, with a young woman and her mother arriving in a small town along the coast of Italy. In fact, most of the things that happen should be, and could be, ordinary enough, except that as the reader you begin to understand the undertones, even when the heroine doesn't.

I'm really enjoying this book so far. I'm waiting to read my Susan Hill story until I've finished this one, because I don't feel as if I need a break in between the chapters of Tender is the Night. Here's hoping the rest of the story is as good as the first half!

Ecclectic Isn't Bad, Is It?

We took another trip to the library. This has become a weekly occurrence, considering my children read at the speed of lightening. While I was there, I decided to simply browse the shelves, and pick up the books on my list that struck me as interesting. When I checked out, I realized I'd exchanged Middlemarch (which I still haven't finished) and I'd added F. Scott Fitzgerald and Susan Hill. For some reason, part of me really felt like a little scare, and Susan Hill's book looked like it would fit the bill. The Fitzgerald book was one that I don't have on my list, but I'm going to pretend is there. Middlemarch I am still struggling with. I don't know why I'm having so much trouble getting through it. It's not a terrible book, and I do think I've mellowed my judgment on the story. And yet I can't get through a few pages without having to put it down and take a deep breath. It's well written. The characters are all fleshed out. The scenes are easy to picture. I just don't know why I'm having issues.

So, I have three books waiting to be read (I'll pick Middlemarch back up Friday). As I usually do, I'll read them in bits and pieces (which drives my husband crazy), exchanging one for the other throughout the day as I have a few minutes to read. It should make for an interesting few weeks.

On a side note, we just discovered bunny rabbits playing in our front yard. Two large, brown ones with floppy ears. We think they've dug a rabbit hole beside the oak in our front yard. Either way, it was fun to watch them play, and the kids got a kick out of it. Maybe we'll even see baby bunnies pop their heads up in the next few weeks.

It's Been A Long Month

It's almost been a month since I've posted. It's been a very long month. Without going into detail, I'll say that family comes first, but they can sure be exhausting. Do you have any idea how many types of retirement homes there are? Types, not actual places. It boggles the mind.

Anyway, I've finally posted my review of "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold". You'll find it below. Liked it, but didn't like it. That's summary in one sentence. I've moved on to other books. I'm struggling with the latest one, but did pick up a few "breather" books (stories I read every once in a while between heavy stories). One of them is an F. Scott Fitzgerald book that I should have had on my list. I'll just pretend it's there, and make it a 101 list.

Sorry that this is short, but I do intend to be back in the next few days to straighten up the blog and say hello. Happy Reading!

"The Spy Who Came In From The Cold" Review

What can I say about this book? When I first picked it up, I had no expectations at all. I'd heard the title, of course, heard people rave about it. But I have been cautious about finding out too much regarding the books on my list. I want to go in with no preconceived notions. I'm glad I did that with this book.

First, I'll say that it was a much easier read than anticipated. The story itself was easy to follow, and had a flow and rhythm of words that had me into the scenes almost immediately. It was very easy to picture myself in Alec Leamas' place. I could understand getting burned out by the spy game. His personality, the things he'd seen, the things he felt, made it even easier to understand how he ended up embroiled in the main plot of the book.

I can't say too much without giving a lot away. It's one of those books. So much happens on every page that even a hint can ruin the plot. I enjoyed the main character, very much liked the secondary ones, and found myself flying through the pages.

And then I got to the end. I'll admit that I'd figured out the big twist well before it was revealed. But that was okay with me. It was still fun to see everything play out. However, the last few pages had me fighting not to close the book forever. I have very few personal pet peeves, but the author played right into them. By the time I was through with the last chapter, I couldn't decide if I was angry, upset, or just plain disappointed. This, of course, is a personal opinion. You might love the ending. I, however, did not.

Would I recommend this book? It would depend on the person. It was well written, extremely well paced, very interesting, nicely drawn, and in most parts intriguing. But the ending just really did not work for me. I would say it was one of those books you should read once in your life. It's up to you if you'd like to read it again.