Tender Is the Night
Wishlist
A story of Americans on the French Riviera in the 1930s is a portrait of psychological disintegration as a wealthy couple supports friends and hangers-on financially and emotional…
Book Summary
F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender Is the Night (ISBN 9780684801544) is a masterful novel about Dick and Nicole Diver, a glamorous American couple on the French Riviera whose charmed life masks a slow psychological unraveling. Published in 1934, it explores wealth, love, and mental illness with Fitzgerald's signature lyrical prose. This Scribner edition is ideal for students and fans of classic American literature.
This book is not available
Store  |
Condition |
Deals & Coupons | Price |
Est. Shipping |
Total |
Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorry we could not find any result for “9780684801544” | ||||||
About Tender Is the Night
Tender Is the Night is F. Scott Fitzgerald's fourth and final completed novel, published in 1934. Set primarily on the French Riviera in the 1920s and 1930s, it follows Dick Diver, a brilliant young psychiatrist, and his wealthy wife Nicole, a former patient. Their seemingly idyllic life among expatriate friends and hangers-on gradually erodes as Nicole's mental health stabilizes and Dick's own psychological disintegration accelerates. Fitzgerald drew on his own marriage to Zelda Fitzgerald, crafting a poignant portrait of love, codependency, and the corrosive effects of wealth. The novel's structure, moving backward and forward in time, and its lush, evocative prose make it a landmark of American modernism. This Scribner edition (ISBN 9780684801544) includes the definitive text and is widely used in classrooms and book clubs.
Who should read Tender Is the Night?
This book is essential for readers of classic American literature, fans of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and anyone interested in the Jazz Age, expatriate life, and psychological fiction. It appeals to students studying modernism or the Lost Generation, book club members seeking rich discussion material, and readers who appreciate lyrical prose and complex character studies. Those who enjoyed The Great Gatsby will find a deeper, more mature exploration of similar themes.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Lyrical, evocative prose that showcases Fitzgerald's literary mastery
- ✓ Deep psychological insight into marriage, mental illness, and codependency
- ✓ Vivid depiction of the French Riviera and Jazz Age expatriate society
- ✓ Complex, morally nuanced characters that invite rereading and discussion
- ✓ Definitive Scribner edition with reliable text for students and scholars
Cons
- ✗ Nonlinear narrative structure can be confusing on first reading
- ✗ Slow pacing and lengthy descriptive passages may deter some readers
- ✗ Characters are often unlikeable and their motivations opaque
- ✗ Themes of wealth and self-destruction can feel bleak or dated
- ✗ Some readers find the ending abrupt and emotionally unresolved
Frequently asked questions
Is Tender Is the Night a sequel to The Great Gatsby?
No, it is a standalone novel. It shares themes of wealth and disillusionment but features entirely different characters and settings.
What is the best edition of Tender Is the Night to buy?
The Scribner edition (ISBN 9780684801544) is the standard definitive text, widely used in schools and recommended for its accuracy and introductory material.
Is this book suitable for high school students?
Yes, it is commonly taught in advanced high school and college courses. Themes of mental illness and adultery may require mature discussion, but the literary value is high.
How long does it take to read Tender Is the Night?
At around 320 pages, most readers finish in 8–12 hours. The nonlinear structure may slow the pace initially, but the second half reads more quickly.
Does Tender Is the Night have a happy ending?
It is generally considered a tragic novel. The ending is bittersweet and open to interpretation, focusing on loss and the impossibility of fully recovering the past.
At Windsorbooks, we compare prices from trusted sellers so you can buy, rent, or sell textbooks at the best total price — shipping included.
As an Amazon Associate, Windsorbooks.com may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.