In this collection of early stories, you can see Fitzgerald process and explore themes following and during WWI. He's writing at a time when social mores are becoming undefined and the gender norms blurred.
The first story, "Babes in the Woods" explores a loosening of sexual restrictions among teenagers. Both play a game in which they observe the required social niceties, all the while thinking of how they will break them. When they fail to achieve their desired results, both are equally disappointed.
"Sentiment - and the Use of Rouge," follows a young man home on leave from the war who finds that he does not understand what has happened to society. He finds the women too "painted" and the men too scarce. The war may have meant something to him at the front, but it has wrought further changes back home.
"The Cut-Glass Bowl" uses a woman's conceit and pride to illustrate her downfall in both beauty and superiority. Just as the "Four Fists" shows a man learning life lessons at the end of a fist.
I cannot leave out the hilarious "The Camel's Back" in which a disappointed suitor attempts to arrive at a costume party as one half of a camel.
Lastly, the collection also includes "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," which I think I knew was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald but alas is nothing like the movie. It's main focus is on the things were learn as an adult, but shows them in reverse as Benjamin loses that knowledge as he becomes younger.
There's such a delicious voice of yearning, disappointment, understanding and disillusionment in so many of these stories. I can't recommend them enough.
5/5 Stars!
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