Journal Entry 1 by RDOwens from Millville, New Jersey USA on Friday, December 31, 2010

Gert and I each purchased a copy of this book when we lived at the apartment. That was nine years ago or more. Our thoughts at the time were that we would form our own little book club, read some good literature, and analyze them. Yeah, it never happened.

I don't know what occurred, but we never got the past purchasing the books. I have read The Great Gatsby numerous times and have enjoyed it. I figured there was no reason not to enjoy another F. Scott Fitzgerald book. With a vacation on its way, I pulled this book to read while away.

Like many books, I was slow to get into it. I read a little bit on the plane, but was tired and more interested in listening to the iPod. Once in Jamaica, I read a little more, but was having lots of fun, so after a day I was only about 50 pages into this book. Things weren't looking great.

By the second day I finally hit my stride with this book. So much so, in fact, we dined even later than we had planned as I read on. It wasn't really because of the reading, but I certainly did not push the time table. ;)

Things all fell into place for me to finish up prior to leaving the island. Indeed it was perfectly timed.

So, what about the book?

Fitzgerald was a pompous one. This book is highly autobiographical, detailing his life as an ex-patriot living in France. I tired quickly of all the pretentiousness of the name dropping and the liberal use of French throughout the text. This book was a reminder of what literature classes were like in high school and college.

I enjoyed the structure of the book. Written in three main sections (books), Tender Is the Night begins with a significant event and then backtracks to fill in the back story before once again piking up with the story.

Perhaps I did not read as closely as I should have, but I think Fitzgerald assumed a lot in this book. It was not clear to me how he "cured" Nicole. It was also not clear to me how Nicole was always smitten with Tommy. I never quite figured out what was seen in the bathroom. That a duel followed that incident, it was indeed important.

One thing I noted with amusement is that in the 1930s, Hollywood stars were sterotyped and not much has changed. The vacuous Rosemary could have easily been a starlet today.

Another interesting theme is how alcohol played such a destructive role in lives back then. As a jazz age/Roarin' 20s tale, one might not think this lesson would be delivered.

One thing that is unmistakable, Fitzgerald has a wonderful vocabulary. The language in this book was fabulous. Indeed, few authors have a command on this rich language these days. Bravo!

I enjoyed the book, but did not love it.