"The Jelly Bean" is a story of romance in a small town, centering on the disappointments of life, and touching on the dangers of alcohol. It sets a great depressing mood, and develops the main character well. It highlights Fitzgerald's ability at making us emphasize with the story.

"The Camel's Back" - Probably the most disappointing of the selections, "The Camel's Back" is a dark comedy, which unfortunately borderlines on sexist themes.

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is a simple science fiction story, about aging, the perceptions of others have of us, and how time changes our lives.

"Tarquin of Cheapside" is a somewhat baffling story about where placement of friendship should lay.

"O Russet Witch!" - Probably the best story in the bunch, "O Russet Witch!" is a metaphysical journey into what one desires out of life. Saturated in symbolism, this story alone makes the book worth reading.

"The Lees of Happiness" is another romance about a couple's devotion in marriage, and beyond.

"The Adjuster" - This story is almost unreadable, the length being too long for the point. It is a tale about heroes in everyday life.

"Hot and Cold Blood" - A fable-like tale story about trust and good deeds.

"Gretchen's Forty Winks" - This story also borders on sexist. It has little point to it, other emphasizing the "importance" of hard work, and female fidelity. A very disappointing ending to an otherwise strong collection.

While this collection cannot surpass Fitzgerald's masterpiece "The Great Gatsby", it is an enjoyable read, and recomended to fans of Fitzgerald and American literature alike.

Fitzgerald appealed to me in high school, when I was pretty much a romantic teen-ager who fancied the tragic story of Daisy and the Great Gatsby.

Hemingway was my favorite author when I was in grad school. His writing is clean, precise and open to interpretation, unlike that of other writers of his time who told you every single thing about a character's motivation.

While I've read a lot about Hemingway's life, I never realized the two men were so close during Hemingway's rise and Fitzgerald's fall in the literary world. By following their relationship through their many letters, Scott Donaldson sheds light on two distinctly different literary careers. Fitzgerald was pretty much the voice of the jazz age, while Hemingway took up the torch for the lost generation. Each had his foibles, to be sure, but it seems Hemingway was the more disciplined of the two and, as such, enjoyed a longer career.

I enjoyed the book and am happy to add it to my collection of Hemingway resources.

Enjoy!

Then they both die... and the book continues for another 100+ pages. It's as if the author realized his book was only 250 pages long and had to fill out the binding with unnecessary rehash. Obviously drinking played an important part in both writers' lives, and it was chronicled in their relationship. There's no need to devote 40 more pages to discussing their drinking further (actually, repeating the discussion would be more appropriate here)!

Ultimately, the first part is good if not amazing. It certainly isn't good enough to make up for the terribly dull ending. To be honest, I wish I'd have read a biography of each instead. Perhaps you should do the same. Even better, read their actual works!

P.S. I'm not exactly dissuading you from this book. It is well written and interesting. Just be prepared for some boring parts and an empty stomach at the end.