- Paperback
- Publisher: Penguin Books; paperback / softback edition (1963)
- Language French
- ISBN-10: 0140014950
- ISBN-13: 978-0140014952
- ASIN: B001HXL35U
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Penguin 1st paperback, Curtis, Mitchum, Nicholson, pleasance
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9 reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
An Unfinished Masterpiece?
7 Jan 2004
Format:Paperback
The Last Tycoon was to be Fitzgerald's return to Gatsby form and to critical acclaim. In his notes, he wrote that this was to be more like Gatsby than like Tender is the Night (yet altogether original).
Indeed, F. Scott gets the setup right - a sympathetic, immensely talented and paternalistic workaholic movie producer with an ailing heart (medically and emotionally) discovers the potential for salvation in the arms of a true love while trying to baffle his greedy partner's plots for takeover. And FSF conceives a partly Conradian narration of the chief plot points - through the eyes of Cecelia, the partner's daughter, while offering an omniscient overview.
The book is hard to evalaute as we see less than half of Fitzgerald's execution, but it's fascinating to watch the pieces fall into a place (if some may miss). Fitzgerald's tone progresses from a shaky start into his patented lyricism and elegantly seamless observations on love. Read the notes, as they give an intriguing look at the great author's mind at work.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
a clear concise view of Hollywood in the 30's
19 May 1999
Format:Hardcover
Fitzgerald's last unfinished novels is one of his best in that his style has evolved from his cluttered previous novels into a clean and unfettered one. Every event that occurs is absolutely vital to the plot. He masters the mood and atmosphere of Hollywood. His protagonist has the same rags to riches story, same charisma, and same leadership qualities as his other characters, Gatsby and Dick Diver. However, Stahr is the more developed character. Even unfinished, this tragic tale has a clear theme and style.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Worthy of reading if you enjoy Fitzgerald.
13 May 1999
Format:Hardcover
The Last Tycoon had promise and still does in the sense it was unfinished, however it could not be compared to The Great Gatsby. The description of the time period, as present in The Great Gatsby, was not exhibited in this book by Fitzgerald. Instead it was replaced by an explanation of the life in Hollywood. Fitzgerald was trying to portray the life of the business world, according to his notes, but instead lacked the description that was required to get a feel for their lifestyle. The plot itself seemed to be solid and plausible in portraying the life of Hollywood. The book itself revolves around Celia Brady the daughter of a wealthy movie maker. She takes a liking to her father's partner Monroe Stahr, who she meets on the flight home from college. On this flight she meets another man, Wylie White, whom she had an affair with towards the end of the book. Monroe and her father have a fight between them. Which leaves Celia torn between her father and the man she loves. Mr. Brady and Mr. Monroe lead to each others downfall. The actual written manuscript is incomplete yet it shows progress. The book goes through an accurate description of events present in the manuscript however the ending is still just outlines. Celia seems to need some development a problem which I am sure Fitzgerald would have fixed in the final chapters of the book. The manuscript present is in good shape. I think Fitzgerald's notes, present in the back of the book, show an ending that would have entertained and brought closing to this novel. It is stated in his notes that he wished the book to sixty thousand words yet already the unfinished manuscript was seventy thousand words. I think this is an intriguing fact being that the book does not yet contain an ending and is probably several chapters from it. Without an ending the book is worth a read if for nothing else to try to understand what Fitzgerald went through to write a novel. I found that the book contained a solid plot, decent characters, and intriguing writing notes. I found that, while this book could in no way compare to The Great Gatsby, it is worthy to read if you enjoy Fitzgerald's work.
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