Tender Is the Night

Good Book

Prior to reading Tender Is the Night the only thing I had ever read by Fitzgerald was The Great Gatsby and I wasn't too crazy about that. Taking a chance with this one, I was well rewarded. This book was so sad, but compelling. I felt it was about the choices people make, how so many people do what they feel is the right thing, but it really isn't. I also found the atmospheric details of Americans in Europe during the 1920s to be rich and vivid. I found Rosemary to be an especially interesting character, and wondered what happened to her long after the novel ended. Dick was the saddest character, starting with so much promise and eventually fading away.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Awe inspriring

I was twelve when I read this, I was staying in Italy and was homesick, this book had me hanging on each word, amaing eve a thirteen year old could see that!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful!

It's one of those books that is about nothing, yet about everything. A good read, and hard to put down.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Breathtaking

Ernest Hemingway, Fitzgerald's "frienemy", called this book a masterpiece. And he was right. Every word on every page of this book is utterly gorgeous. The plot, the characters, the dialogue, the setting in the Riviera, all of it breathtaking perfection. The first time I read it, I could not put it down for two straight days. It was just that good. Bless you, Mr. Fitzgerald, wherever you are, for giving us this work of art.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

My favorite book

I don't think I've ever read anything that was written quite like this novel. The language is exquisite, each sentence like a glorious shiny unique gem.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Profound Tragedy

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started this book. I'd read The Great Gatsby, and loved Fitzgerald's prose, but wasn't sure what to anticipate with something else. But I was pleasantly surprised. Never failing, Fitzgerald manages to depict and enhance his characters and their interactions with details that most other authors are unable to capture. The story lays out the lives of wealthy American expatriates, focusing on the deterioration of a marriage between Dick and Nicole Diver. With Dick, we see a man once regarded for his genuine charm, care, and gregariousness. Yet entrenched in the superficiality of European life...being a doctor at a sanitarium bombarded with a spectrum of psychiatric patients...married to a woman with frequent nervous breakdowns...and lured on by the whimsical innocence of an American actress, once heartfelt outgoingness turns into bitterness and a tool Dick uses to deride others. Additionally, Nicole's fluctuation of emotion, inability to fit in because of it, and dissatisfaction with Dick's distancing himself, combine to ruin their marriage. This was one of the saddest, yet truest love stories I've read--being almost circumstantial that they ceased to love each other, and nothing of their own doing. I strongly recommend.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A luxureously dark tragic

I liked this book. The way everything was so detailed made it easier to visualize everything that was going on. Though you really had to be into it and paying attention or else you were completely lost. I also liked the short chapters, though they were packed with thrills and adventures. The French in the book would have been cool but I don't know any French so I hopped over it and continued reading and it never hindered my understanding of the book. What turned me on to this book was F. Scott's writing style, he is so photogenic in his writing style and telling of the setting make you feel like you are right there when tragedy sticks or when two characters fall in love. Also if you love the French country side or just like reading about it you will like this book. All in all I think if you like analyzing and doing some deep sea reading that you will love Tender is the Night. And tell your friends.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful Plot!

This romance novel is about multiple relationships mingling together. Rosemary first meets Dick Diver and instantly falls in love with him. The one problem is that Dick is married to Nicole. However, does Dick really love Nicole enough to stay with her, or is the beautiful Rosemary the one he loves? This novel is filled with interesting twists and turns on love. F. Scott Fitzgerald had a wonderful plot in this novel. He did an excellent job of showing his readers that money can lead to power, and all of that combined can destroy a wonderful person. This novel was wonderful, but the style in which he used was not my favorite. I have never read any of his other books and could not compare them, but if the style of his others were this horrible, then I would probably dislike them as I did this one. I did not like how he wrote the book in different time periods. He had his first book (the beginning) in present time, the second book (the middle) took place a few years before the first book, and then the third book (the end) took place a few years after the first. It was really hard to follow, but overall the story line was good.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent read

'Tender is the Night' is a very good book. I like Fitzgerald's style of writing and I also like how it is set in the 1920's. All of his character's were well-built and upon reading the book I felt as if I personally knew each one. This book is one of my favorites of Fitzgerald's. The only thing that I didn't like about it were the French words because I don't speak French. The rest of the book, however, was very good and an excellent read for fans of Fitzgerald.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A classic read

On a French beach, a tale of romance, deceit and a good story told from different viewpoint begins. The reader is first introduced to the benevolent Rosemary, with her fair skin and young breath, she is a thing of beauty. Next to her, in less importance, is her mother Mrs. Speers. Then, the reader meets the obnoxious Mckiscos and their party. The story turns to the ever-so-graceful Diver party; Rosemary falls head-over-heels for the married Mr.Diver at first sight. A very promiscuous beginning to a classic tale. Mrs. Rosemary is a slightly naive, bright-eyed actress, fresh out of Hollywood. Being only 16, her moral standings are not at all stable.The Mckiscos are very insignificant, like flies on a patio, they only buzz in and out of the plot. The Divers, on the other hand, are the light compared to the darkness of the Mckiscos. Mr. Diver, also known as "Dick", is introduced as a dashingly handsome redhead that charms the excitement into any conversation. Mr. Diver's wife, Nicole, is described by Rosemary as a very strong beauty, which is quite the contrary to the reality of who she really is. Nicole, one would say, is the antagonist of the story; others may argue the antagonist is Rosemary. Rosemary, slightly intoxicated, and Dick, kiss after her 18th birthday celebration. After visiting a party that wasn't enjoyable, but necessary to attend, they kiss more passionately. Even though he's married, Dick is easily pushed into an affair. This novel was a bit difficult to read because of the numerous settings, countries, and names. Also, if the reader is not used to dialogue meant for the 1920's, it also becomes a factor in the book's difficulty to read. I didn't like this book, and it's probably because my taste in books is very selective. One of the things I could pick from the book that I thought was ridiculous, was the climax; it was only one sentence. No details, no build-up; nothing. The ending was also a disappointment, the reader was expecting a much bigger bang than the one that was given. Perhaps that's just how 1920's literature was meant to end. I did enjoy reading the story of Nicole though, it gave the book a dark unexpected twist. Also, the way in which Dick's character is developed is unexpected. The reader is able to experience Dick in a very different light through the eyes of Rosemary and then through the eyes of Nicole. Tender is the Night by P. Scott Fitzgerald is a classic book that the average person would enjoy.

Tragic Irony

A tome of the upsurge of modernity and the crisis of the White Knight who in rescuing becomes the tragic figure needing his own rescue. A point where hubris falls under the edifice of ideals...A touching human tragedy no doubt made of the stuff that fills the space in life and living.

Dissection of the rich and perfect

I absolutely adore The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and I when I picked this book up my expectations were soaring and my imagination began to run wild. Interestingly, the book is divided into three sections the surface appearance, the dissection, and the unraveling. The first section of the book was, in my opinion, rather boring. It dealt with the struggle of a young woman, Rosemary, while she fell in love with the handsome, older, and already married Dick Diver. Rosemary made her intentions clear to Dick and proclaimed to him her love, but reluctantly Dick emphasized that he loved his wife, Nicole. In the first section of the book, Dick and Nicole were portrayed to be utterly happy and in love with each other. While Dick claimed to be in love with Rosemary, he told her that he was more in love with Nicole and could never be unfaithful. However, the second section of the book went into the history of out that Nicole and Dick met in a very unconventional way. She was a mental patient while he was a psychologist. At first this seems really strange, that a man of his appeal and intelligence would be mixed up with someone as mentally unstable and vulnerable as Nicole. It¿s also a shock because during the first section, Nicole was portrayed as a strong woman very independent from her husband. She appeared to be confident, which we find out is almost exactly the opposite of what her true characteristics are. Towards the end of the section you can see a transition towards the third. Dick finds himself reflecting, and slowly realizing how tied down he¿s made himself. By marrying and becoming entangled with Nicole, he has sacrificed his entire life. He no longer is suitable to practice psychology, and his own mental state begins to decline. The third section displays the complete ruining and destruction of Nicole and Dick¿s relationship. She knows of Dicks unfaithfulness to her in both his head and physically. Dick had fallen in love with young Rosemary. But from Dick¿s view mostly it was to attempt to fill the emptiness of his and Nicole¿s relationship. The bottom line is they had been happy, or as happy as it was possible for two people of their condition. After Rosemary everything had changed, and reality began to settle into their heads that they were destroying each other. Dick felt obligated to care for Nicole, and Nicole felt she needed to control and keep him through her fortune. In the end, Dick is alone, and Nicole has moved on. You can always count on Fitzgerald for an unsettling ending, but the pathway he paves to get there is impeccable. His extraordinary process of picking apart the outwardly perfect and beautiful people of the world is an amazing process that was thoroughly enjoyed and is strongly recommended.

Great story, well-crafted, a joy

A fine novel on two levels: as a piece of literature and as a romance. While the style of jumping around in time requires some concentration, I find the book rather easy to take in through light reading. It is, on its surface, a romance and a touching one. Yet it rewards as completely the reader willing to linger and consider. The themes include human imperfection and frailty which we all possess regardless of wealth or status. Fitzgerald's ability to paint vivid pictures for the reader are on fine display here. The structure brings greater power to the story. Yes, it could be told more simply and chronologically but I believe it would lose much of its power if done so. If you're familiar with Fitzgerald's work, you'll find this deeper and more ambitious than his short stories. In fact, it is probably more ambitious than The Great Gatsby, though it doesn't quite reach the dizzying heights of that masterwork.No shame there, precious few novels do. If you've not read Fitzgerald, Tender is the Night is a nice introduction although I'd recommend Gatsby first. In short, whether you appreciate a ramontic tale, a well- crafted. thoughtful novel, or-- especially--both, Tender Is The Night is a worthwhile and enjoyable read.

Dark romantic tragedy

It should be strictly suggested to those who can fully appreciate the psycological undercurrent of the work. If you understood Warton's Ethan Frome's emotional bearing, then proceed with care in this novel.

Tender is the Night

Finally I have finished this book. This book is a good one but I didn't understand French so I had to leave some of it . F. Scott Fitzgerald did a great job. This book is really slow and it gets confusing towards the middle. But somehow I managed to get through this book. I would recommend you to read this book. You will like it.

i highly recommend this!

after reading Gatsby, i just had to have more! Tender is the Night was truly a great book, so much excitement, i just loved it! F. Scott sure knows how to draw in the reader.

Convoluted drivel

I have truly come to believe that you either love Fitzgerald's work or don't. I seem to fall in the latter category. I read Gatsby years ago, and didn't care for it. A friend recommended this novel, claiming it was a better read. The first 100 pages are so convoluted, that reading it grew tiresome. The second half seemed as though it were written by a different author, the prose and dialogue are more concise. With the exception of Dick Diver, there is no other likeable character in this novel. In my opinion, Fitzgerald's writing is fused with an odd detachment, which overall, serves as a hinderance when you want to more about the characters he's created. You never truly empathize with them and that fact prevented me from enjoying it.

Fitzgerald: Superb as usual!

This is one of the most underrated novels I have ever had a chance to attach my eyes to. I know it was on the list of the 100 best novels of the 20th century, but that's about all of the recognition I hear for this book. I picked it up, still under the charm of his Gatsby, and found myself involved in one of the finest and most enjoyable reads of my life! It seems that you could pick any random line from this novel and ask anybody to rewrite it, and it wouldn't be half as good. That's how good the novel is, not a wasted word in print. Fitzgerald truly is a cut above the rest.

'First the Morale Goes, then the Manners.'

Tender Is the Night is one of the most interesting examples in 20th century fiction of reversing the usual social metaphors. Dr. Dick Diver, a psychiatrist, is examined as a case of mental health. He is also placed in a classic woman's role, that of the desired, amiable beauty sought after by all and sundry. These juxtapositions of the usual social perspectives allow the reader to touch closer to the realities of human need and connection, by piercing our assumptions about what is 'right and proper.' The story begins from the perspective of Rosemary Hoyt, an 18-year-old motion picture star, recuperating on the Rivera. One day she goes to the beach and becomes entranced by the Divers, Dick and Nicole, a golden couple with whom she immediately falls in love. Beautiful, young, rich, and looking for adventure, she quickly sets out to capture Dick who is the most wonderful person she has ever met. Later, the story shifts to Dick's perspective and traces back to the beginnings of his marriage to Nicole. She had formed an accidental attachment to him (a classic psychiatric transference) while residing in a mental hospital. He returned her friendship, and found it impossible to break her heart. They married, and he played the role of at-home psychiatrist tending her schizophrenia. All went well for years, but gradually he became weary of his role. His weariness causes him to re-evaluate his views on life . . . and the psychological profile of Dr. Diver, charming bon vivant, begins. The tale is a remarkably modern one, even if it was set in the 1920s. Fitzgerald deeply investigates the meanings of love, humanity, and connection. In so doing, he uncovers some of the strongest and most vile of human passions, and makes fundamental commentaries about the futility of fighting against human nature. The result is a particularly bleak view of life, in which the tenders may end up more injured by life than those they tend. What good is it to please everyone else, if they offend rather than please you instead? The character portrayals of Rosemary Hoyt, Dick Diver, and Nicole Diver are remarkably finely drawn. I can remember no other book where three such interesting characters are so well developed. You will feel like each of them is an old friend by the time the novel ends. If you have ever had the chance to read Freud, the novel will remind you of his writings. There is the same fine literary hand, the succinctness and clarity of expression, and the remorseless directness of looking straight at the unpleasant. I felt like I was reading Freud rather than Fitzgerald in many sections. This book should open up your mind to thinking about which social conventions you observe that leave you uncomfortable . . . or which are in contradiction to your own nature. Having surfaced those misfitting parts of your life, I suggest that you consider how you could shift your observation of conventions to make them more meaningful and emotionally rewarding for you. Be considerate because it pleases you to be, not as a ruse to obtain love! Donald Mitchell, co-author of The Irresistible Growth Enterprise and The 2,000 Percent Solution

Armed with the pen

When Fitzgerald took to writing Tender is the Night, how it must have appeared to be an impossible task. How might one parlay personal trying experiences on the Riviera into a universal novel, while at the same time reaching the level that readers had come to expect of the author of Gatsby and This Side of Paradise. Yet, Fitzgeral conquers all with his magnificent writing, as even the most attentive of readers will have to reread passages to comprehend the conveyed nuance of Fitzgerld's eveolved and layered narrative. It is slightly different state of reading thean the 'active reader' required by Camus in stranger and the confused reader created by Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. In a strange circumstance of events, Tender is the Night is the first Fitzgeral novel I have read and I look forward to reading his other works with great enthusiasm.