Fitzgerald, F. Scott | Tender is the Night, first edition

Fitzgerald, F. Scott

Tender is the Night. New York: Scribner’s, 1934

8vo. Leaves lightly toned. Publisher’s dark blue-green boards, gilt-lettered spine; some stains, spine lightly sunned. Illustrated dust-jacket depicting a Riviera scene; spine panel lightly faded and rubbed. Green morocco clamshell case.

First edition of the author's other masterpiece.

Tender in the Night was Fitzgerald's last novel and, in his own opinion, his finest work. In the nine years which had passed between the publication of The Great Gatsby and the appearance of Tender is the Night in April 1934, anticipation and expectation had built around what would be Fitzgerald's last novel. However, upon publication, it achieved neither the acclaim nor the sales for which Fitzgerald hoped, an outcome which puzzled him for the rest of his life. This was despite a number of overwhelmingly positive reviews, including that of John Chamberlain for The New York Times, who wrote: "Mr. Fitzgerald has not forgotten his craftsmanship... Beyond the story, there is [his] ability to catch the 'essence of a continent,' the flavor of a period, the fragrance of a night and a snatch of old song, in a phrase."

REFERENCES

Bruccoli A14.1a; Connolly 79