Careless People: Murder, Mayhem and the Invention of The Great Gatsby (Paperback)

[Sarah Churchwell] tells the story crisply and intelligently, judiciously deploying Fitzgerald's eminently quotable literary remains, and also Zelda's, which are often even better, in a sprightly, enjoyable and slightly strange book: part "biography" of the novel, part sketch of the roaring 1920s, part brief account of the second half of Fitzgerald's life. Churchwell is perceptive and well-informed * Guardian *
A perfect book to read alongside The Great Gatsby. Excellent -- William Leith * Evening Standard *
This book has as much spirit as gin fizz cocktails * Lady *
A treasury of new material. Churchwell adds considerably to our understanding of the early 1920s, and how life for Fitzgerald played into the development of his art . . . Engaging deeply with the facts on the ground, the richly chaotic matrix that was Fitzgerald's life, Sarah Churchwell's Careless People takes us back there -- Jay Parini * Literary Review *
A suggestive, almost musical evocation of the spirit of the time -- Thomas Powers * London Review of Books *
The wonder of Careless People . . . is that it rewinds the years and allows the reader to appreciate again just how well Fitzgerald reflected his times - Book of the Week -- Nicholas Blincoe * Sunday Telegraph *
Investigates subject after subject with subtle intelligence . . . you find yourself caught up in the excitement of her search - Book of the Week -- John Carey * Sunday Times *
A literary spree, bursting with recherche detail, high spirits and the desperate frisson of the jazz age -- Robert McCrum * Observer *