Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda: The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald

What I love about a well-written autobiography is that it takes someone larger-than-life and turns them into a real, accessible person, that you feel like you get to know. Obviously, this is no autobiography, not really, but it causes the same effect. These were real people, who laughed and cried, who reached incredible heights, only to fall from them. But they are real, and they are beautiful. Anyone who has ever been in love will recognize their own heart in these pages, their own story. Genuine empathy and sympathy spills forth, as these two put feelings into words like no one else possibly could. Of course, this is not merely a bound stack of letters, but is lovingly narrated by scholars Bryer and Barks, whose work puts the lives of the pair in order, and the letters into context. Their notes are thorough, yet concise, and the book would not be the same without their efforts. I highly recommend this for fans of the Fitzgeralds or their work, and indeed to anyone who has ever loved.

I heard about this book when it first came out, and I am just now reading it (life gets in the way, sometimes). The editors' commentary that begins each section of the book is helpful in providing a context for the letters that follow -- detailed enough to provide valuable background, yet succinct enough that you can page back to refer to it as you read the letters. My previous impression of Zelda was somewhat negative, based mostly on "A Moveable Feast," but I've changed my opinion completely after reading her letters. Another thing that struck me as I read the book was how much Scott and Zelda loved their daughter Scottie and how involved they were in the details of her life particularly when she was in college, Zelda was institutionalized, and Scott was in Los Angeles--so Scottie could have felt like she didn't have much of a home. The only negative thing I have to say about the book is that the print is fairly small. (I would also add that the used paperback copy I bought from Amazon was in exceptional condition.)

I admit I was a bit Zelda-biased after reading most of the literature (fiction and biography) out there. This book convinced me to look at both sides of the story. Scott has been unfairly maligned in my opinion and this book based on letters shows his devotion to Zelda up until the end. My take-away is that they truly loved one another and also that texts that have tried to depict Scott as usurping Zelda's literary thunder are by far untrue. Often or mostly what they published under Scott's name they mutually agreed upon because of the interest and monetary gain that was guaranteed for both of them by using his name as author. I hope this publication educates us to treat both of them kindly for their brilliance and their dedication to each other. Very thankful for this publication.

I'm a huge fan of both Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and don't consider myself in either "camp." I empathize with both equally. I've read several biographies of Scott and Zelda, but these letters truly shed new light on their life together and their tragic love story. Zelda's humanity especially comes through as she tries to sort through what's happened to her and how she and Scott might get back to where they once were. I thought of Gatsby and his obsession with the past over and over again as I read these letters. Even though neither of them was content in their life together, both missed it enough to realize that they had lost something great that--we know--they would never get back.

Girlfriend loves it

Lovely exchange of letters. Quite surprisingly Zelda wrote the most and it gave me insight as to her contribution/ ideas for Fitzgerald’s body of work. I believe history shows she’s was just as talented and contributed more than I previously recognized

With products like books, sometime shipping can be a little harsh. The book can show up dented, scratched, or bent. However, this book came to me in perfect condition! I know not all shipments are the same, but still very impressed.

I needed a box of tissues as I read each page.