I’ve always been intrigued by stories of the lives of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald, so when I ran across Z: The Beginning of Everything, I knew I had to read it.
I’ll admit that I watched the Amazon series first, which covers maybe the first 1/5th of the book. Christina Ricci plays an amazing Zelda, so it was fun to picture her and hear her voice while reading the book.
I think much of what I’ve consumed previously glamorized the lives of the Fitzgerald, depicting a fun-loving—if sometimes guilty over-indulgent—couple that blew up the literary and fashion scene of their day. And yes, they were all those things. But, they were more deeply troubled and broken than I realized before reading the book.
Although Z: The Beginning of Everything is a novel, author Therese Anne Fowler drew from source material, of which there is plenty. Both of the Fitzgerald’s were prolific documenters of their own lives, leaving behind diaries, letters and more. Fowler says she read everything she could get her hands on and that her , “… undertaking was always about Zelda the person, not the “wife of—.”
It was a compelling read that made me even more interested in Zelda Fitzgerald’s life. I’m more convinced than ever that she was a talented writer and artist in her own right and that meeting F. Scott was perhaps both the best and worst thing that ever happened to her. I’m also more thankful than ever to have a supportive husband who is always happen to step back and let me shine on my own. Love you, hubby! (Check out his work at See Great Art – he’s also a prolific writer!)
Looking for more reading recommendations? Check out my other book reviews!
