Flappers and Philosophers

This collection highlights the early works of Fitzgerald, showcasing themes of social aspiration and cultural conflict, including the iconic Flappers and Philosophers stories.

Part of Alma Classics Fitzgerald's mini-series, this beautifully crafted edition features flaps, a foil cover, and four black-and-white plates, along with notes and a comprehensive apparatus detailing Fitzgerald's life and works. Published shortly after his debut novel, Flappers and Philosophers marks the author's first collection of short stories, a genre through which he garnered recognition in various newspapers and magazines.

The collection showcases familiar themes of aspiration and social satire that are hallmarks of Fitzgerald's writing. In 'Bernice Bobs Her Hair', the stylish Marjorie endeavors to transform her less fashionable cousin into a debutante, only to betray her out of jealousy. Similarly, 'The Ice Palace' presents a Southern belle whose engagement to a Northerner leads her to navigate the cultural tensions between tradition and modernity.

This volume also includes stories such as 'The Offshore Pirate', 'Head and Shoulders', 'The Cut-Glass Bowl', 'Benediction', 'Dalyrimple Goes Wrong', and 'The Four Fists'. Together, these narratives illustrate the early stages of Fitzgerald's development as a writer while providing an engaging portrayal of American life in the 1910s, making Flappers and Philosophers a fascinating read for those interested in the era.