Tender Is the Night

so so boring

In the dead white hours in Zurich staring into a stranger's pantry across the up shine of a streetlamp, he used to think that he wanted to be good, he wanted to be kind, he wanted to be brave and wise, but it was all pretty difficult. He wanted to be loved, too, if he could fit it in.

I loved this book. I think it was interesting and almost modern for its time. It was explorative and complex like humans are

A bit lesser known than Gatsby, but I think this book is closer to my heart. A quiet but maddening read.

Fitzgerald ends at a high. One of his best works.

Had to read it for uni, so it became tiring. Will reread someday

As a great fan of the Great Gatsby, I was cruelly disappointed by this book. It has some great moments in terms of style but the plot is awfully empty and pointless. I did not get what Fitzgerald wanted from us, I am *so* confused.

The characters can be hard to like. But, if you've been in a bad relationship, or a good relationship that turns bad (and, really, isn't this the trajectory of most bad relationships?) - even just one - I think you will have no problem relating to the characters. Even if you disagree with their actions; even as you're trying to hate them for an illogical reaction - in some base, subconscious level, you will understand (not justify!) why they did what they did.

This book has taken me on a journey along the Riviera and through the mountains of Switzerland. Fitzgerald writes about the tormented Doctor Diver in such a way that you can feel the agony yourself, yet I didn't seem to be able to fully grasp the how and why Diver acted in the way he did. This is in any way not a negative remark on the book - I think it adds to the empathy you can feel for each character in the book, for Dick, Nicole, Tommy, and Rosemary.

the number of times fitzgerald used the words "daddy's girl" in this book should be a crime (1.5/5)

I am very conflicted about how this book made me feel. I liked the idea of it and the story, and Fitzgerald’s attempt to tell the truth of mental illness and alcoholism. However the whole Dick/Rosemary relationship and Dick/young girls in general ruined it for me. It was just so gross and set the whole book off. I feel it would have been so much better if Rosemary was older and Dick was a more amiable person.

Just another completely iconic Fitzgerald book, his writing will never cease to amaze me. Can't wait to read more!