Side of Paradise, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The novel, Side of Paradise, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, follows Amory Blaine, a young Princeton student whose upbringing has led him to reject custom and instead rely on his unconventionality to navigate through life. In college, pursuing success — gaining status in the semi-political social scene of the university, and belonging with his fellow students — draw him away from his steadfastly unique personality. But, parts of his old self still beat strong, and, as the novel covers his life immediately after college, he becomes part of an enduring tug-of-war between individuality and conformity.

In comparison to FItzgerald's other novels, this one focuses largely only on the main character — namely, Amory —, and this decision benefits the novel by distinguishing it from anything else he has written and allowing for the roller coaster-like journey of self-discovery to seem more genuine. At seventeen, I stand far away from full self-discovery, and, thus, Amory's quest feels only somewhat familiar, but mostly foreign; yet, it feels real — unique, raw, and vibrant, as if Fitzgerald himself passed through the exact same experience and simply recounted it, only changing some names in the process. And this lends a special appreciation to the novel that I've felt solely from his short story "Winter Dreams." The plot is simple, lacking the convolution or depth of his later novels, but this is in no way a hindrance. It, again, allows the novel to focus on Amory; it shines the spotlight on a man's transformation from contemptuous anti-conformist, into obeyer of social norms, and back into anti-conformist — but this time lacking the snobbish air he carried in the first stages of his character, replacing it instead for an appreciation and mindful maintainance of his individuality. The consummation of Amory is unique in the same way that Holden Caulfied's — from "The Catcher in the Rye" — is; there is never one definitive moment that drives the character past a wall keeping them from self-knowledge, but, rather, their respective experiences shape them into the people they become. The subtle transformation into self-discovered people happens subtly — as I would expect to happen in reality —, and this makes the novel such an enjoyable read for most.

Reviewed by Markus, Grade 12

Chevy Chase Library