R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on + 1452 more book reviews
This unfinished work gives those who choose to read it much insight into Fitzgerald's writing process, making it interesting for both the reader and would be writer of fiction. Yes, it's incomplete but reading it one begins to understand how the author created a character of such depth as Monroe Stahr. Stahr was not a tall nor a commanding man yet his instinctive ability to view movie film at various stages helped him hone the films development yet he refused to have his name among the credits. Lonely, his is spends his hours working, even sleeping in his office.
Since his wife died, he has found it difficult to search for someone to love, questioning whether women were attracted to him because of his position and wealth. The narrator of The Last Tycoon is Cecelia who adores Stahr and is the daughter of a Hollywood producer who works at cross purposes with Stahr.
Stahr, who became involved in the industry at 25, by now has become a leading star among movie makers. Only in his mid-thirties, his doctor visits him frequently, encouraging him to slow down and relax to extend his life. Stahr is unable to do so cannot return the love that Cecilia gives. Instead, he has fallen in love with an Englishwoman named Kathleen, who reminds him of his dead wife Minna. Kathleen seems to return the love but is often remote. Does she love him or not? The reader does learn that Stahr dies in a plane crash leaving both Cecilia and Kathleen behind. It is at this point the book ends.
The editor, Edmund Wilson, includes Fitzgerald's notes and comments about where the novel would be strengthened and how it might be changed. I would have preferred that these notes were inserted where Fitzgerald intended rather than being placed as the end. However, I quite enjoyed the characters and understanding the process the author used because it makes us treasure the fine literature he left us.
Since his wife died, he has found it difficult to search for someone to love, questioning whether women were attracted to him because of his position and wealth. The narrator of The Last Tycoon is Cecelia who adores Stahr and is the daughter of a Hollywood producer who works at cross purposes with Stahr.
Stahr, who became involved in the industry at 25, by now has become a leading star among movie makers. Only in his mid-thirties, his doctor visits him frequently, encouraging him to slow down and relax to extend his life. Stahr is unable to do so cannot return the love that Cecilia gives. Instead, he has fallen in love with an Englishwoman named Kathleen, who reminds him of his dead wife Minna. Kathleen seems to return the love but is often remote. Does she love him or not? The reader does learn that Stahr dies in a plane crash leaving both Cecilia and Kathleen behind. It is at this point the book ends.
The editor, Edmund Wilson, includes Fitzgerald's notes and comments about where the novel would be strengthened and how it might be changed. I would have preferred that these notes were inserted where Fitzgerald intended rather than being placed as the end. However, I quite enjoyed the characters and understanding the process the author used because it makes us treasure the fine literature he left us.
