Summary and Reviews of Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler

1

Picture a late-June morning in 1918, a time when Montgomery wore her prettiest spring dress and finest floral perfume—same as I would wear that evening. Our house, a roomy Victorian on Pleasant Avenue, was wrapped in the tiny white blooms of Confederate jasmine and the purple splendor of morning glories. It was a Saturday, and early yet, and cloudy. Birds had congregated in the big magnolia tree and were singing at top volume as if auditioning to be soloists in a Sunday choir.

From our back stairway's window I saw a slow horse pulling a rickety wagon. Behind it walked two colored women who called out the names of vegetables as they went. Beets! Sweet peas! Turnips! they sang, louder even than the birds.

"Hey, Katy," I said, coming into the kitchen. "Bess and Clara are out there, did you hear 'em?" On the wide wooden table was a platter covered by a dish towel. "Plain?" I asked hopefully, reaching beneath the towel for a biscuit.

"No, cheese—now, don't make that...

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Why do you think Zelda refused to marry Scott until he'd made a name for himself? Was she manipulating him?
   


2. Zelda didn't seem to care how her parents felt about her unstable relationship with Scott and how it might ruin her reputation. Did they have a valid point, considering the time period?
   


3. What do you think was behind Scott's alcoholism? Was it due to his rocky relationship with Zelda or did he drink to fit in with the crowd?
   


4. How do you feel about Scott selling Zelda's short stories under both their names? Why wouldn't he let Zelda publish under her own name?
   


5. Which of Zelda's talents were her strongest? Which would you most like to possess?
   


6. Why did Scott insist on hiring strict nannies to care for...

Please be aware that this discussion may contain spoilers!

Here are some of the comments posted about Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald in our legacy forum.
You can see the full discussion here.


Are you planning to see the new film adaptation of 'The Great Gatsby,' or have you already seen it?
I saw it last weekend. I thought it was amazing! To me, they totally nailed the spirit and themes of the book. - lisag

As you read "Z", have you approached it from a new perspective about an iconic couple from history or has your previous knowledge of the Fitzgerald's clouded your assestment of the novel?
Karenr, I like your point re: if Zelda had lived at a different time she may have had more opportunity to become a writer separate from her husband, to step out from under his shadow. I'm inclined to think there would have at least been a better ... - lisag

Aside from her initial allurement of Scott, what do you think first marked her inflatuation with him? To the brink that she wanted to be with him as he began his adventure towards a literary career?!
For me, her infatuation with him came from the fact that he was an outsider, from another town and so unlike the people she knew growing up. Therein lies the attraction. - dianac

Did Scott's treatment of Zelda while she was in hospital make him any more sympathetic to you?
Nothing in Scott's treatment of Zelda or anyone else would have made him more sympathetic to me. The book portrays him as an arrogant, egocentric, chauvinist who was also a raging alcoholic. - dianac

Did Zelda's parents have a valid point about her relationship with Scott, considering the time period?
As backward as her parents were in many ways, their point about Scott was spot on. They could see the train wreck before it happened. - dianac