Books

Second Impression. Octavo (19cm); red cloth, with titles stamped in black on spine and front cover; dustjacket; viii,292pp. Base of spine gently nudged, with a few tiny tears; upper edge of textblock slightly dusty, with some faint offsetting to endpapers, else clean throughout; Near Fine. Dustjacket is uniformly dust-soiled, edge-worn, with several shallow losses, a few scattered stains, and a few long tears with attendant creases, neatly tape-mended on verso; substantially complete and unrestored, but Very Good only. Early UK printing of Fitzgerald's first novel, centered around the lives of young socialites in post-World War I New York. Both the first and second UK printings of This Side of Paradise vary "unauthoritatively from the first Scribner's printing of the novel in some 850 readings. This figure does not include variants caused by Collins's omission of periods after abbreviations or alteration of quotation marks. Of the 850 variants, 32 are substantive" (Bruccoli, p.22). As with all Fitzgerald's pre-Gatsby works published by Collins, this title is scarce in dustjacket; we find no examples in the auction record, and Matthew Bruccoli, Fitzgerald's bibliographer, mentioned not seeing a jacket for the first Collins printing, and the only observed example of the second printing seen in Fitzgerald's own scrapbooks, lacking the rear cover and flaps. Bruccoli A5.2.b.

"This Side of Paradise" by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a seminal novel published in 1920 that vividly portrays the life of Amory Blaine. The narrative traces Amory's journey from his upbringing in a privileged family through his formative years and into young adulthood. The story begins with Amory as an imaginative and ambitious young boy, raised by his mother Beatrice, who instills in him a sense of superiority and a belief in his exceptionalism. He attends prestigious schools where he excels academically and indulges in literary pursuits. Throughout his education, he forms friendships, falls in love, and experiences the challenges of social interactions, all while grappling with his evolving identity. As Amory grows older, he becomes increasingly aware of societal changes and the aftermath of World War I. These external shifts influence his internal world, leading him to question his beliefs, values, and ambitions. His romantic relationships, notably with Rosalind Connage and others, serve as mirrors reflecting his desires and insecurities. The novel is a tapestry of Amory's experiences, his intellectual musings, and his encounters with diverse characters that shape his perceptions. Fitzgerald skillfully weaves themes of love, idealism, disillusionment, and the pursuit of the American Dream throughout the narrative. Amory's quest for self-discovery and meaning is emblematic of the era's youth seeking purpose and identity amid a changing social landscape. The book's title, derived from a Rupert Brooke poem, encapsulates the notion of seeking paradise within oneself and the struggles faced in this pursuit. Through Amory's introspection and encounters with various societal constructs, Fitzgerald critiques the ideals of success, love, and the pursuit of happiness prevalent in early 20th-century America. "This Side of Paradise" marks Fitzgerald's debut novel and foreshadows themes and styles that he further explores in later works like "The Great Gatsby." It is a poignant reflection of the Jazz Age, capturing the aspirations, disillusionments, and complexities of a generation seeking authenticity in a rapidly changing world.