Books

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1934. First edition. Near Fine/Good. A Near Fine copy of the book with bright spine gilt and clean internal contents. Slight insect damage to the boards. In a Good original dust jacket with the $2.50 price and correct reviews by Eliot, Mencken and Rosenfeld on the front flap. Jacket with several chips, tears and cracks. Cracks along rear spine fold and front flap folds have been professionally closed. Nearing the end of his life, Fitzgerald contemplates marriage, success, and the emotional toll that mental health problems can take on a couple. This haunting novel set in the 1920s follows Dick and Nicole Driver’s troubled marriage, and the damage imposed by his affair with a young actress. These same troubles were echoed in Fitzgerald’s own family; his wife Zelda, having struggled her whole life with depression, had been placed long-term in a sanitarium, while Fitzgerald battled alcoholism and strove to re-launch his career in Hollywood.…

"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.

First editions of 'Tender Is the Night' by Charles Scribner's Sons typically have the 'A' and the Scribner seal present on the copyright page, and lack any additional printings or dates.