Flappers and Philosophers

"What you doin'?"

"Eatin' 'n apple."


Published in 1920, his first book after the very successful debut with "This Side of Paradise," ReadFwd’s reading suggestion of today is also Scott Fitzgerald’s first short story collection. Dedicated "To Zelda," it counts eight very different tales, covering a wide range of characters and themes, from the story of the young man who experiments with crime only to live through interesting repercussions to that of a young woman whose yacht is boarded by pirates. One of his recurring themes, very present in this early work that confirmed his talent, is the mismatching of love interests and of people not supposed to find love with each other, as in the novel "The Great Gatsby."


Another story, "The Ice Palace" is about a young southern girl who feels she needs something more in her life, to see "things happen on a big scale." This is a story in which the concept of a Flapper—whose embodiment was Fitzgerald’s own wife Zelda—re-emerges, concept he turned into one of his trademark motifs in his subsequent novels, especially with the character Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby’s doomed love.


"Flappers and Philosophers" is a book that will make you ponder on such a curious proximity of terms, but in the end, after being charmed by Fitzgerald’s unquestionable charisma, pulsing in every single story of this volume, you will realize that to portray women and life with such talent and vigour requires the deeper understanding of a philosopher.


And, because Fitzgerald’s books are all classical gems and this month a new film adaptation is coming out, promising to be spectacular, we suggest you read more of his books in the ReadFwd collection, especially "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (View on the iBookstore) and our latest special illustrated edition of "The Great Gatsby," with an interesting extra chapter on Flappers. (View on the iBookstore) 

Enjoy!