Books

London: Chatto & Windus, 1934. Hardcover. Very Good. First English edition. Blue cloth. Spine sunned, some modest foxing mostly on the foredge that show slightly in the margins of a few pages, a near very good copy lacking the rare dustwrapper. Fitzgerald had almost no popular success in England, and that failure was a matter of continuous vexation to him, a fact borne out in many of his letters and in every biography that treats on it. William Collins had published Fitzgerald's first four books in unknown but clearly very small numbers: According to *Some Sort of Epic Grandeur*: "None of these books sold well... Collins declined *The Great Gatsby*, which was published by Chatto & Windus in 1926. The novel was not a success... ." Consequently first English editions of all five of these books are extremely uncommon. Chatto declined to publish Fitzgerald's next book, *All the Sad Young Men* and consequently that book had no contemporary English publisher. By 1934, Fitzgerald had…

"Tender Is the Night" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in 1934, is a complex exploration of love, ambition, and the disintegration of a marriage set in the vibrant backdrop of the 1920s. The novel primarily follows Dick and Nicole Diver, an affluent American couple living in the French Riviera. Dick, a talented psychiatrist, and Nicole, his captivating wife, initially appear to lead a glamorous and charmed life, surrounded by wealth and luxury. However, beneath the surface, their relationship is deeply troubled. As the story unfolds, Fitzgerald delves into their pasts, exposing the cracks in their marriage. Nicole suffers from mental health issues stemming from a traumatic past, and Dick, though a respected doctor, becomes increasingly entangled in his patients' lives. Their relationship becomes strained as Dick's professional ethics and personal life intersect, blurring boundaries with his patients, including the young actress Rosemary Hoyt. The novel's narrative weaves through the decadence and excesses of the Jazz Age, exploring the disillusionment and moral decay that lie beneath the veneer of opulence. Fitzgerald portrays the hedonistic society of the era, reflecting on the emptiness and shallowness of wealth and social status. As Dick and Nicole's marriage disintegrates, Fitzgerald exposes the complexities of human emotions, the fragility of mental health, and the destructive nature of ambition. The novel explores themes of identity, self-destruction, and the struggle for authenticity in a world of superficiality. Through vivid and evocative prose, Fitzgerald paints a poignant picture of the human condition, grappling with love, loss, and the inability to escape one's past. "Tender Is the Night" is a profound exploration of the human psyche and a scathing critique of the societal norms prevalent during the roaring twenties. The novel's themes and character complexities resonate with readers, offering a reflection of universal struggles within relationships and the pursuit of happiness. Despite its initial lukewarm reception, "Tender Is the Night" has gained recognition as a significant work in American literature, revered for its depth, emotional resonance, and Fitzgerald's unparalleled storytelling prowess.