This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald

In the shadows of the great Gatsby is another brilliant novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This book is evidence to Fitzgerald’s literal genius because it was written by the author in his twenties to mirror his experiences at the time.

It paints a picture of what it was like to be a young man or woman in the 20th century and in the wake of the First World War. The book is set on a foundation of socialist principles. The protagonist is a young man in his twenties and his emotions and intellectual ideas are affected by the issues of social class. Fitzgerald’s style of writing is sharp, clever and funny. The book is episodic in structure and the plot is set into motion by Amory’s thoughts and ideas about his progression in his emotional and intellectual faculties.

The story narrates the chronicles of one Amory Blaine in his journey to self discovery, we see him develop from a young boy born with a silver spoon through to adulthood. It narrates his enrollment in the prestigious Princeton University and how he leaves the institution to pursue other things. He leaves campus to enlist in the army to fight for his country during the First World War. Upon his return, Amory goes through a series of difficulties, both financially and personally.

This Side of Paradise is a wonderful read for anyone regardless of age or social class. Readers will empathize with the characters in this book because nearly everyone has at one time in their lives felt as they did at one point in the novel. Once you start reading this book you can’t stop and you'll enjoy every minute you spend reading it.