This Side of Paradise

Amory is an interesting character, one that I found hard to relate to but still found intriguing. I hoped to see change or something greater come of his life than simply knowing himself. As Amory states in the end, “I know myself, but that is all.” I enjoyed reading this novel, although it does not compare to The Great Gatsby, in my opinion. I think I much prefer the first half of the book than the second, but I am also an optimist and am never opposed to seeing a character like Amory become aware of his flaws and then do something about it and come out much improved in the end. Then again, that is not real life and not what Fitzgerald was hoping to achieve, I don't think. If you're a fan of Fitzgerald, I would definitely recommend reading it as it was his first novel and gives an interesting perspective of morality and youth around the time before and after World War I.