51 pages 1 hour read

F. Scott Fitzgerald

This Side of Paradise

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1920

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

This Side of Paradise follows Amory Blaine’s journey from a privileged childhood to an adulthood marked by disillusionment. Attending prep school and Princeton, Amory grapples with relationships, personal ambitions, and societal expectations amid the backdrop of the Jazz Age. Through various friendships and romantic entanglements, Amory matures, ultimately facing the harsh realities of love, wealth, and identity. This novel discusses death by suicide.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald is widely praised for its lyrical prose, capturing the post-World War I era with intricate character explorations. Critics appreciate its innovative narrative style and rich depiction of youth and ambition. However, some note its episodic structure can feel disjointed, impacting narrative flow. Overall, a significant debut.

Who should read this

Who Should Read This Side of Paradise?

A reader who would enjoy This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald is likely to appreciate literary fiction with rich, introspective character development and themes of youthful ambition and disillusionment. Fans of The Great Gatsby and J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye will find similar allure in its exploration of the American Dream.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

Auto/Biographical Fiction

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Period

Jazz Age

Roaring Twenties

Themes

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Emotions/Behavior: Love

Society: Class

Topics

Class

History: World