Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald is, not surprisingly, a novel about Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald of The Great Gatsby fame. (Fun fact: F. Scott is a cousin to Francis Scott Key, the author of "The Star Spangled Banner.")
Z is a relatively new book, being published just last year in March, and is a fictionalized account of Zelda Fitzgerald's life basically from the time she met F. Scott to her death. (Spoiler alert: yes, she dies.) From what I can tell from reading the acknowledgements and author's note (because I am one of THOSE people who reads every single page of every book), Therese Anne Fowler did a ton of research before writing this book, so although it is fiction, it's largely based on fact.
This was a quick, interesting read--I'd say the kind that's perfect for a beach and/or vacation book. It's long enough that you won't finish it in a day and "meaty" enough that you feel like you're learning something, but it won't bog you down with tons of dates and facts.
In many ways, this was a good book to start off my 2014 reading list, because I now have zero aspirations to be rich and famous. Apparently they all have terribly depressing personal lives. But I guess that's Hollywood for you.
Ernest Hemingway makes a cameo in the book as well, since he and F. Scott were close friends, and all in all this was a great book. I most likely won't read it again, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it to you fine bibliophiles, and that certainly doesn't mean I didn't enjoy reading it in the first place.
If you're a fan of historical fiction and/or a fan of famous people and/or want to feel better about your own life by reading about people who made a nice mess of theirs, it's safe to say you'll like this book.
Related: The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
I have not read this book. Apparently, I'm a horrible book reader. My husband and I just went through our books this morning and we realized that a.) so many books have been given to me and I haven't read them b.) I've been reading the same book since May. I just don't really enjoy the book that much but hate quitting a book before going to a new one. However, I gotta hop on to the next one...
The Fitzgeralds are so interesting to me! But I agree, I would never want to be them. I want to read this one though!
Agree, being rich makes you sad (funny how that works?). I thought The Great Gatsby was so depressing, even while it was all still happy and they partied in gold.
Yay-you read it! One of my favorites :) I agree that her research is pretty cool-I even listened to some interviews with Fowler about her journey! Neat stuff.
looks great! you are darling
This is probably something I would love...and find fascinating! Thanks for the rec!
Thanks for the recommendation! I'm definitely interested.
Also, I noticed that the bottom of your post says "Related: The Paris Wife . . ." What did you think of that book? I have an excerpt from it on my Kindle. Wanted to read the sample before buying.
I am going to have be on the lookout for this as I loved The Paris Wife!
I fine the real life stories of the Fitzgeralds fascinating! Especially since we moved here, to where the Vanderbilts lived in complete rich glories, and where Zelda spent her last days. I am reading this one, thanks for the recommendation!!
This book made me so sad! We glamorize the lives they had when really they were all straight up depressed and miserable.
As I was reading this I was thinking that it sounded very similar to The Paris Wife then I saw you added that at the end! Thanks for sharing!
I haven't read The Paris Wife, actually. But it's on my to-read list. I haven't heard a negative review from anyone I know who's read it! I've heard they go very well with each other.
Sounds interesting! The Paris Wife is on my to-read list as well, so I'll have to add this one to follow the theme.
-Amy
I have an odd question. What did Zelda call her husband? F. Scott? Scott, or maybe Francis?
I'm reading a historical novel by Erik Larson, In the Garden of Beasts, at the moment. However, I can't recommend it because it's boring me to tears. But I can't give up! Z sounds interesting, but I find that I need to space these types of books out on my list to keep me interested.
That's an excellent question! At least in the book she called him Scott.
I would enjoy this, thanks for the recommendation! Ernest Hemingway's, A Farwell to Arms is a good read as well.
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