[Book Review] Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald

1.25.2014


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
Beka @ Sunshine to the Square Inch said...

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...

Allison said...

The Fitzgeralds are so interesting to me! But I agree, I would never want to be them. I want to read this one though!

Kaysie said...

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.

Amber Marie said...

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.

abigail louise said...

looks great! you are darling

17 Perth said...

This is probably something I would love...and find fascinating! Thanks for the rec!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the recommendation! I'm definitely interested.

Anonymous said...

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.

Bailie @ The Hemborg Wife said...

I am going to have be on the lookout for this as I loved The Paris Wife!

Raige Creations said...

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!!

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

This book made me so sad! We glamorize the lives they had when really they were all straight up depressed and miserable.

Allison said...

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!

The Lady Okie said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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

Ali said...

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.

The Lady Okie said...

That's an excellent question! At least in the book she called him Scott.

Lindsey said...

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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