Books

Illustrations by Edward Shenton. First edition, first printing, with Scribner's "A" present on copyright page (later printings omitted this publisher's code). Publisher's dark green cloth, ruled in blind and lettered in gilt. Very good, with light staining to front board and fore edge of text block, light rubbing to spine ends and corners, a touch of toning to spine, mild dimming to gilt, slight lean to spine, and a tear to p. 405. Overall, a sturdy and clean copy. Bruccoli A14.I.a. Tender is the Night is Fitzgerald's last completed novel, based on the lives of American expatriates living in Paris and the French Riviera. The book, a complicated tale of love and lust, gives readers a glimpse into the characters' stories through a series of flashbacks scattered throughout the chronological plotline. Like many of Fitzgerald's works, Tender is the Night is semi-autobiographical in nature, with the author's friends serving as models for characters, including Pablo Picasso, the Cole Porters, and socialites Sara and Gerald Murphy, to whom the book is dedicated. Interestingly, Fitzgerald took the title "Tender is the Night" from a line in John Keats' poem "Ode to a Nightingale.".

"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.