A quick rundown…A book of seven short stories, including the title story.
Strengths: Great short story writer, varied stories
Weaknesses: Most of the stories are quite sad!
Why I read it: Another Popular Penguin book
Pages: 202
Published: 2010 this edition, originally 1921
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Setting: USA
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
If you liked this, try: Other books by F.Scott Fitzgerald
I originally bought this book because I recalled that there had been a movie made of the title story and I was interested to see how a short story could be made into an entire film. I’m still not really sure on that account, because I haven’t seen the movie of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button! (Although I would like to see Brad Pitt getting younger). The title story is probably the best in this collection of short stories, as it takes an unusual event (a baby being born old and getting younger as he ages) and explores the various problems (social murmurs, sons being embarrassed of their fathers etc.).
The other stories in this book I didn’t find quite as memorable, although they all have the common Fitzgerald element of sadness running through them. Fitzgerald is still as sharp as ever, cutting to the quick the problems of society, such as appearance (much is made of what people will think about Benjamin Button and indeed, he is hidden or explained as another relative to many people). Benjamin’s son is horrified that his father wants to go to college (being rejected as an old man when he is the ‘correct’ age) and the baby Benjamin is often hidden out of sight.
There has been suggestion that the story looks at the before and after effects of returned servicemen from World War I – looking young, but being internally old due to what they went through. I’m not really into analysis, but it’s an interesting idea.
The other short stories…well, it was interesting to read them but they didn’t have the original idea of Benjamin Button. There are callous relationships, partying and deep sadness, much like The Beautiful and Damned. Good to read if you like Fitzgerald and want to read everything he ever wrote, but not a necessity. It was a good way to pass time on public transport though!
When I wanted to read ‘Benjamin Button’, I could find only a graphic edition. Here’s where I reviewed it and compared it to the movie: http://www.exurbanis.com/archives/2952
How cool- I think this would be a great way to read this story!
I have seen the movie and they do a good job of “stretching” the story out. The film was good in some respects and failed for me on others. You should check it out.
I think I will watch the movie at some stage, a Brad Pitt movie can’t be all bad, can it?
The movie is preeeetty different from the short story, so I guess that’s how they can stretch out a short story so much! Mind you, Brokeback Mountain is only about 13 pages long, and they stretched that out to a 2 hour film without changing much at all, so I guess it can be done!
I haven’t seen Brokeback Mountain either – the wonders of Hollywood that they can make a feature film from something so short.
The film is quite bizarre and a bit drawn out and lengthy – I didn’t really enjoy it despite Mr Pitt’s involvement. Never realised it came from a short story though, never mind one by F Scott Fitzgerald!
Hmm, might skip the film then if Brad can’t make it all better. Or just watch it when it’s on TV.
Pingback: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald·