How can people read This Side of Paradise?

Submitted by Pfacejones t3_10m3x6z in books

How can this be hailed as a shining example of Anything. This book enrages me to my core. This is my second time trying the first time I tried it was 6 years ago I made it to page 48 before throwing up at the monstrosity that is Amory Blaine and the inner workings that is Amory Blaine. Maybe I know too well the likes of Amory Blaine and can say unequivocally that a person of such constitution as Amory Blaine needs a sound beating left and right for 48 hours and then be hauled off to a hard labor camp where they are treated like the undeserving worm that they are before they learn one shred of humility, similarily anyone who reads this book and goes Wow, I really see myself in Amory Blaine, or Wow, how admirable is AmoRY Blaine, how Interesting is Amory Blaine also needs to be carried off to a forced labor camp. There is Nothing redeeming or salvageable about this kind of character and this kind of person. Someone talk me down from the ledge of anger and hatred. What was fitzgeralds purpose in crafting such a pathetic conceited uselessly hollow shell of a cretinous boy, his Handsomeness be damned.

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Character_Vapor t1_j60slep wrote

Why are you under the impression that you need to like this character?

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chortlingabacus t1_j60w9dq wrote

Dunno about OP but I need to like a character because then I like the book and that means as you should know that it's a good book and I only wanna read good books and BAD BOOKS MAKE ME PUKE AND THEY ALL OUGHTA BE SENT TO DEVIL'S ISLAND AND IF YOU DON'T STOP LOOKING AT ME THAT WAY HUCKLEBERRY FINN I'LL CUT OFF YOUR HEAD AND STUFF IT DOWN YOUR POX-SCARRED ESOPHAGUS.

I'm curious: 1) One of the fuzzy US terms I've no time for, or hadn't until reading OP, is 's/he has anger issues'. Is this the sort of thing ye mean when you use it? 2) Is it easier to read a rant all in upper-case/caps than one with occasional Germanic ones?

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knightfenris t1_j60wy09 wrote

So you realized a purposefully bad character is bad? At the start of a book? Amazing

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fragments_shored t1_j60wkqf wrote

I think you really missed something in those first 48 pages because Fitzgerald makes it very clear that Amory is awful and you're not supposed to like or admire him, and this is meaningful to the character's emotional journey in the remaining (checks paperback) 154 pages.

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Pfacejones OP t1_j60yngn wrote

In what way, he finds him worthy of describing page after page and there is no where near enough consternation vieled or unveiled in satirical tone or otherwise to make me believe that he is Not somewhat on his side, if you have the time, show me quotes, i also see where it says this book can be considered autobiographical, so he is honestly just milking his own anal glands

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10ofRods t1_j64npg1 wrote

Why would anyone try to find quotes to give you when you clearly are more focused on your own inimitable prose?

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Machiniac t1_j60scpo wrote

You need to finish the book or your opinion is suss.

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tswiftdeepcuts t1_j620frj wrote

I don’t think anyone deserves forced labor camps and I don’t think it’s something we should be throwing around even in exaggeration.

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we95 t1_j62veqo wrote

This is so dramatic and immature.

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cryptomancery t1_j61db0i wrote

Circlejerk . . . Beatings, labor camps? Sheesh.

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MidlandsRepublic2048 t1_j60s2rn wrote

Youve just discovered what I call a hard truth. People will forgive a lot for a pretty face.

Take Gaston in beauty and the beast for example. I guarantee everyone knows he's an absolute jerk to Belle and her father and a general dickwad to everyone else. But because he's "handsome, strong, and fearless", everything is forgiven.

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geld-sun-91 t1_j646quu wrote

Exactly. People will forgive a lot for a 'pretty face', the same way as they'll blame eagerly at an 'ugly' one.

Sadly we're still living in a world where certain aspects of physical appareance are praised and admired to the point of make a pass for some bad and/or disrespectful behaviour.

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MidlandsRepublic2048 t1_j64727a wrote

I'm of the opinion that it will never change. It's just a part of the bad side of human nature. Immutable and unmovable

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geld-sun-91 t1_j64g8va wrote

Yes, I suppose it is. But it's interesting to think that maybe at some future point our most popular parameters to define 'good' or 'bad' looking will change.

Subjectively every one has some type of filter to make personal appreciations about external features of our own body and that of others, but perhaps as time goes by we can at some point reach a more 'plain' or inclusive paradigm.

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MidlandsRepublic2048 t1_j64hrgt wrote

Never gonna happen. Think about it. Even as far back as the story of Sampson in the bible. He's described basically as tall dark handsome and strong. The paradigm for men hasn't shifted in over 3000 years of civilization since then. I have no hope it'll ever change. Inclusivity of physical appearance is a myth sold by people who still believe Star Trek is a legit future

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geld-sun-91 t1_j64l6tk wrote

Yeah, I get what you're saying.

Although I really think that at least some degree of inclusion has been achieved. It's obviously partial, so of course it's a long road we have to go yet, and as you say it's more than likely than we never reach that point. But at least, despite our deepest human flaws and sometimes cruel nature I choose to see at least some tiny bit of achievement towards a more equal view between us.

Is it enough? Of course not. Do we need to make improvements? Yes, huge ones, but I think there is people aiming with good intentions towards it

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Disastrous_Use_7353 t1_j63j5my wrote

How can people read this ridiculous post? Edits are necessary.

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Ravensberg t1_j63d8rr wrote

TikTok/YA baby... Pretty sure you have aphantasia on top honey 🥰

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daB_niatpaC_Xrod t1_j64o29x wrote

Sounds like you don't want to get know a very wide range of characters.

Some of us enjoy that.

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armandebejart t1_j626j6y wrote

What’s your take on Vanity Fair? Also Becky Sharpe?

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oli44 t1_j654h3m wrote

For the age that Fitzgerald wrote this book at, it’s a marvellous display of a burgeoning young writer. It’s a very sophisticated novel, one that’s meant to capture the essence of a generation. I found it very beautiful to read. Try to understand Amory’s perception, and the outlook of others of his generation of that time period. They were part of a disillusionment and loss of purpose that people had for a long time before. He might not be your cup of tea however, and that’s fine, his writings not for everyone.

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ahookinherhead t1_j65tmia wrote

Maybe just don't read this book if you hate it.

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