Tender Is the Night

by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Tender Is the Night cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Literary Fiction
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Technical
  • ID: 2412
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • Publisher: 東西文坊
  • Published: 2018-04-15
  • Formats: 30
  • Reviews: 3

F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'Tender Is the Night' is a deeply personal novel that draws from the author's own experiences with his wife Zelda's mental illness and his battle with alcoholism. Set in the glamorous yet tumultuous world of the 1920s and 1930s, the story follows Dick Diver, a promising psychiatrist, and his wife Nicole, who is also his patient. Their rise and fall mirror the highs and lows of Fitzgerald's own life, making the novel a poignant exploration of love, ambition, and the human psyche. Written during one of the darkest periods of Fitzgerald's life, 'Tender Is the Night' was initially met with lukewarm reception but has since been recognized as one of his greatest works. The novel's intricate character studies and rich prose have cemented its place as a classic of American literature, offering a profound look into the complexities of relationships and the fragility of the human mind.

Reviews
I Would Rather Be Reading Blog · 2023-01-29
emotional 4.50

The book is described as raw, visceral, and emotion-laden, with Fitzgerald pouring his soul into the work. The reviewer acknowledges the emotional depth and courage in Fitzgerald's writing.

The reviewer finds the book to be a deeply emotional and visceral experience, highlighting Fitzgerald's raw and honest portrayal of human emotions. They appreciate the courage it must have taken for Fitzgerald to pour his soul into the work, creating a narrative that is both powerful and moving. The reviewer acknowledges the emotional depth of the book and the impact it has on the reader. The overall sentiment is one of admiration for the emotional honesty and depth of the work.

Quick quotes

    Tender as the Night is a raw, visceral, and emotion-laden work.

    F. Scott Fitzgerald did practice an act of courage by pouring his soul onto the page.

    The emotional depth and honesty of the book are truly remarkable.

Her Other Stories · 2017-12-31
engaging 4.00

The book is structured in three parts, each revealing deeper layers of the story and characters. The reviewer finds the progression of the narrative to be compelling.

The reviewer appreciates the book's structure, which is divided into three parts, each adding depth and complexity to the story. They find the progressive revelation of the characters and their motivations to be particularly engaging. The reviewer feels that each section of the book builds on the previous one, creating a rich and layered narrative that keeps the reader intrigued. The overall sentiment is one of admiration for the book's depth and complexity.

Quick quotes

    The book consists of three books and with each book, the story gets deeper and more revealing.

    The progressive revelation of the characters and their motivations is particularly engaging.

    Each section of the book builds on the previous one, creating a rich and layered narrative.

The Beauty of Literature · 2016-03-17
captivating 4.50

The plot is intricate and the writing is decadent, with not a single word wasted. The reviewer highlights Fitzgerald's skill in crafting a compelling narrative.

The reviewer is captivated by the intricate plot and the decadent writing style of F. Scott Fitzgerald. They appreciate the precision of Fitzgerald's prose, noting that not a single word feels unnecessary. The reviewer finds the story deeply engaging and praises Fitzgerald's ability to weave a complex narrative that keeps the reader invested. The overall impression is one of admiration for Fitzgerald's mastery of the craft.

Quick quotes

    The plot is so intricate and the writing so typically decadent Fitzgerald while also not having an useless word in there.

    Fitzgerald's writing is a testament to his skill and his ability to create a world that is both captivating and deeply moving.

    The story is a profound study of the romantic concept of character, lyrical, expansive, and hauntingly evocative.

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