F. Scott Fitzgerald Works: A Comprehensive Guide

F. Scott Fitzgerald, an eminent figure in American literature, is best known for his vivid portrayal of the Jazz Age, a term he is credited with coining. Born on September 24, 1896, Fitzgerald rose to prominence as a literary voice of his generation, weaving tales that encapsulated the exuberance and disillusionment of the era.

Fitzgerald’s works comprise novels, short stories, essays, and letters that together paint a comprehensive picture of his literary journey. While The Great Gatsby is often the focal point of critical study due to its enduring relevance and exploration of the American Dream, his other works are instrumental in understanding the breadth of his talent. Among these, This Side of Paradise, The Beautiful and Damned, and Tender Is the Night further showcase his preoccupation with youth, wealth, and societal change.

The trajectory of Fitzgerald’s career was as tumultuous as the times he depicted, with personal struggles often influencing his work. Despite a relatively short life, passing away at the age of 44 in 1940, Fitzgerald’s contributions to literature have only grown in stature over time. His bibliography is not merely a showcase of narrative skill but also provides a historical lens through which the vibrancy and complexities of the early 20th century are witnessed.

Jump straight to F. Scott Fitzgerald Bibliography below.

1. Life and Career

F. Scott Fitzgerald, born Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, made a significant impact on American literature with works that keenly captured the spirit of his age. His turbulent romance with Zelda Fitzgerald and his early death left a legacy that continues to resonate.

1.1. Early Life, Education and Literary Success

Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald was born on September 24, 1896, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He showed an early affinity for literature, writing, and acting in plays at St. Paul Academy. Fitzgerald attended Princeton University but never graduated, instead immersing himself in the university’s literary society and honing his craft as a writer.

In 1918, Fitzgerald met Zelda Sayre in Montgomery, Alabama, while he was stationed at a nearby Army camp. Their passionate and stormy relationship fuelled much of Fitzgerald’s writing. They married in 1920, the same year his first novel, This Side of Paradise, was published, catapulting them into the limelight. Fitzgerald’s first novel, This Side of Paradise, was an instant success and established his reputation as the voice of the “Lost Generation.” His short stories, such as “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz” and “Bernice Bobs Her Hair,” appeared in The Saturday Evening Post and cemented him as a notable author of the Jazz Age.

1.2. Later Years and Death

The later years of Fitzgerald’s life were marred by Zelda’s mental health issues and his alcoholism. His works during this period included Tender Is the Night and an unfinished novel, The Last Tycoon. Fitzgerald died of a heart attack on December 21, 1940, in Hollywood, California. After his death, Fitzgerald’s work gained a new level of recognition. The University of South Carolina houses an extensive collection of his works. The Great Gatsby, in particular, has become one of the most widely read novels in American literature.

1.3. Fitzgerald’s Legacy

Despite his relatively short life, Fitzgerald left an enduring legacy with his vivid depiction of the Jazz Age and his prescient critiques of the American Dream. His novels and short stories continue to be celebrated and studied across the globe. Fitzgerald’s bibliography includes classic novels like The Great Gatsby and The Beautiful and Damned as well as an extensive list of short stories. Many of his works have been adapted for film and television, reflecting their continued relevance and popularity.

2. Major F. Scott Fitzgerald Works and Publications

F. Scott Fitzgerald is celebrated for his brilliant exploration of the Jazz Age in his literature. His major novels remain classics, dissecting the American dream, wealth, and social dynamics with compelling characters and settings.

2.1. The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby, published in 1925, is heralded as Fitzgerald’s magnum opus. It conveys the story of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan. Insightful and sharp, it encapsulates the decadence of the Roaring Twenties and the pursuit of the American Dream.

2.2. This Side of Paradise

This Side of Paradise, Fitzgerald’s debut novel released in 1920, skyrocketed him to fame. The novel follows the young and egotistic Amory Blaine as he grows up and faces the realities of adulthood. It reflects the disillusion of post-World War I youth and their hedonistic pursuits.

2.3. The Beautiful and Damned

In The Beautiful and Damned (1922), Fitzgerald delves into the destructive relationship between Anthony Patch and his wife Gloria. It is a cautionary tale of the young, attractive couple’s descent into indolence and moral decay as they await an inheritance.

2.4. Tender Is the Night

Published in 1934, Tender Is the Night explores the rise and fall of Dick Diver, a promising psychiatrist, and his wife, Nicole, a wealthier patient. This work addresses the themes of mental illness and the complexities of married life.

2.5. The Last Tycoon

The Last Tycoon, Fitzgerald’s final novel, was unfinished at the time of his death in 1940 and published posthumously the following year. It recounts the story of the film executive Monroe Stahr, a character based on the real-life movie producer Irving Thalberg, in old Hollywood.

6. Other Publications

Fitzgerald also produced an array of short stories, with “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz” being one of the most notable. Although not a novel, it renders a satirically exaggerated vision of wealth and American culture and complements his thematic exploration in his longer works.

Find out more about F. Scott Fitzgerald Best Books and F. Scott Fitzgerald Best Short Stories.