The Beautiful and Damned

by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Beautiful and Damned cover
Good Books rating 4.08
Historical Fiction
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  • ID: 10310
  • Added: 2026-01-24
  • Updated: 2026-02-03
  • ISBN: 9788026881575
  • Publisher: e-artnow
  • Published: 2018-03-07
  • Formats: 10
  • Reviews: 3

The Beautiful and Damned delves into the glamorous yet tumultuous life of Anthony Patch, a socialite and heir to a fortune, and his wife Gloria Gilbert. Their story is set against the backdrop of New York's café society and the American Eastern elite during the Jazz Age, both before and after World War I. The novel portrays the couple's extravagant lifestyle, their struggles with alcoholism, and the challenges of maintaining a relationship amidst personal selfishness. It offers a vivid portrayal of the era's social dynamics and the consequences of a life lived in excess. Beyond the plot, the novel is notable for its sharp social commentary and its exploration of the American Dream during a time of significant cultural change. F. Scott Fitzgerald's prose captures the essence of the Jazz Age, providing readers with a rich tapestry of the period's social and cultural landscape. The book is a compelling blend of romance, tragedy, and social critique, making it a classic of American literature.

Reviews
Cannonball Read · 2021-02-15
Excellent 4.50

They were pleasantly surprised by how much they loved this book, finding Fitzgerald's writing beautiful yet accessible. The characters' flaws make them sympathetic and intriguing.

The reviewer was initially skeptical but ended up loving 'The Beautiful and Damned.' They appreciated Fitzgerald's prose, which they found beautiful without being pretentious. The characters, despite their flaws, were portrayed in a way that evoked sympathy and interest. The reviewer enjoyed the exploration of the characters' lives and the vivid portrayal of their experiences.

Quick quotes

    I loved this book far more than I ever would've guessed.

    F. Scott Fitzgerald writes beautifully without ever feeling unreachable.

    The pretension that I was sure would be a problem was nowhere to be found.

Fictivestina · 2016-10-30
Good 3.75

The characters are flawed but sympathetic, evoking pity and understanding. The book's narrative is engaging despite its length.

The reviewer found the characters in 'The Beautiful and Damned' to be flawed yet sympathetic. Their flaws made them pitiful, and the reviewer often felt sympathy towards them. Despite the book's length, the narrative was engaging and held their interest. The exploration of the characters' lives and relationships was compelling, making it a worthwhile read.

Quick quotes

    The characters are harmless and somewhat pitiful with all their flaws.

    So often one has sympathy towards them.

    The Beautiful and Damned is a book that stays with you.

The Independent · 2015-01-08
Great 4.00

The experience of reading this book was sensuous and dazzling. The reviewer's personal context at the time of reading may have influenced their positive reaction.

The reviewer found 'The Beautiful and Damned' to be a sensuous and dazzling read. They speculated that their recent personal experiences, such as leaving boarding school and a recent breakup, might have influenced their enjoyment of the book. The vivid and evocative writing made a strong impression on them, enhancing their overall reading experience.

Quick quotes

    The experience was sensuous and dazzling.

    Perhaps my reaction was connected to leaving boarding school a month earlier.

    Or breaking up with my boyfriend a month before that.

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