On the centennial of 'The Great Gatsby', a new book by William Elliott Hazelgrove offers unprecedented insights into the novel's tumultuous creation and initial reception. Fitzgerald's journey to write what would become a seminal work of American literature was marked by personal struggle, creative determination, and unexpected commercial failure.
In 1924, Fitzgerald retreated to the French Riviera with his wife Zelda and daughter Scottie, seeking respite from the demanding landscape of New York's social scene and the pressures of writing commercial stories for the Saturday Evening Post. Over seven months, he labored to craft his third novel, which would ultimately redefine the American literary landscape.
Contrary to its current status as a celebrated classic, 'The Great Gatsby' was initially a commercial and critical disappointment. By Christmas of 1925, the book had virtually disappeared from bookstore shelves, failing to capture public imagination. It would take nearly two decades for the novel to emerge from obscurity and claim its place in the literary canon.
Hazelgrove's book, 'Writing Gatsby', illuminates the challenging path of a work that would eventually become synonymous with the American Dream. The narrative surrounding the novel's creation is nearly as compelling as the story within its pages, offering readers a nuanced understanding of artistic struggle and eventual recognition.
The book's journey from commercial failure to literary immortality underscores the unpredictable nature of artistic success and the resilience required in creative pursuits. Fitzgerald's masterpiece serves as a powerful reminder that true artistic merit is not always immediately recognized, but can endure and ultimately transform cultural understanding.
