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Against the Current: As I Remember F. Scott Fitzgerald Paperback – June 1, 2005

by Frances Kroll Ring (Author)

4.6 24 ratings

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In 1939, F. Scott Fitzgerald was in Hollywood, in failing health, trying to work—write for the movies, sell some stories—and to continue to be the mainstay and anchor for his family, paying Zelda’s substantial hospital bills, educating Scottie and remaining, through letters, a protective and anxious father. The magazines were no longer clamoring for his stories; his books had nearly disappeared from the bookstores. The fame, money and high times of the early years seemed to have evaporated. Fortune had not deserted him entirely, however—Frances Kroll applied for the position as Fitzgerald’s secretary. Young and a little shy, but nevertheless level-headed, intelligent, practical, versatile and resilient, Miss Kroll played a vital role during the last quiet but difficult twenty months of Fitzgerald’s life. They worked at home where she typed from his handwritten pages, ordered groceries, made appointments and listened while he talked out ideas. Finally, it fell to her to make his funeral arrangements and deal with the modest belongings. Nearly a lifetime later, Frances Kroll Ring gives us both the youthful experience of Fitzgerald, and her mature vision of it. This frankly admiring and respectful memoir of the extraordinary writer creates a uniquely domestic picture. We see an admirable and talented man carrying on with dignity, purpose and commitment against a tide of troubles and disappointments.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“(A) valuable and appealing little book.” --The New Yorker

“(A) model of compression and enlightenment . . . an all-encompassing image of F. Scott Fitzgerald in the winter of his life.” --The San Francisco Chronicle

”(Against the Current) is like a rediscovered snapshot, bringing a legendary figure into brief, vivid focus.” --The Los Angeles Times

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Figueroa Press (June 1, 2005)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 155 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1932800093
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1932800098
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.2 ounces

Best Sellers Rank: #3,745,863 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 24 ratings

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4.6 out of 5

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Alexandra P.

Very Interesting.

Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2023

Verified Purchase

Loved reading this. Love having the book, which is in nice condition. Thank you for offering it.

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Daniel B.

A Haunting Portrayal of Fitzgerald's Last Days

Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2013

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Frances Kroll Ring was Scott Fitzgerald's secretary for the last 18 months of his life, a period when he was struggling to revive an all-but-dead career, write a novel, keep his daughter in the best schools, and Zelda at the best mental clinics. His books were out of print, and he was regarded by the literary community as a pathetic relic of the Jazz Age, an era he'd christened with that title.

The young, bright, somewhat naive Frances Kroll took dictation as Scott worked to construct "The Last Tycoon", but also helped him with the daily details of his life, including discarding burlap sacks of empty gin bottles. She grew to know the man: his frailties, flaws, and the powerful talent he still possessed. It is clear that she never lost respect for him, and acquired a view of life and creativity that continued to inspire and serve her well into her 90's.

This is not a sad tale of a broken man. It is an inspiring look at a great writer working as hard as he could to recapture the literary success he'd known so young. We see him, warts and all, but we share Frances Kroll Ring's respect and admiration for Fitzgerald. And the unfinished manuscript of "The Last Tycoon" could not have had a better custodian than Miss Kroll. The highly esteemed critic and Fitzgerald's friend, Edmund Wilson, listened to her suggestions about the publication of the unfinished work, and though it is tragic that Fitzgerald did not live to complete it, it left the literary world with a potent sense of, as Garrison Keillor stated, a writer "dying with his boots on".

I found myself thinking about this book for days after devouring it. It is beautifully written, leaving you with a sense of having shared time with a sensitive, gentle spirit who has chosen to recall a profoundly important and moving time from her distant past.

13 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Saw the HBO movie: had to read the book

Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2020

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I loved it!
This is a must for every F. Scott fan - in the words of his last secretary and someone who knew him best.
Faithful friend, employee, and a great authoress in her own right.

This book is a great example of the personal narrative - one of the best I have read in years.

6 people found this helpful

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Michael Levine

As much as I have always considered Fitzgerald a brilliant writer, this book enhanced my appreciation of his ...

Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2015

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Evocative, informative and moving. A portrait of an intimate relationship totally unknown to the world.A new view of a very famous man and especially in relationship to the Jews at a very sensitive time in world history. As much as I have always considered Fitzgerald a brilliant writer, this book enhanced my appreciation of his humanity..

6 people found this helpful

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CalamityJanie

WHY is this book out of print (at least according to Amazon)?

Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2022

I can't believe this book is no longer available. It's an important read for any Fitzgerald fan! I'm hoping I can buy a used copy somewhere. Frances Kroll wanted to be a writer when she worked for Fitzgerald. I find it so wonderful that she ended up writing about him, and very nicely too. Should have bought this book when I had the chance!

Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2020

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read this book whatch the movie both will touch you

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Kate Runyan

I found Frances Kroll Ring's brief memoir on the short ...

Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2016

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I found Frances Kroll Ring's brief memoir on the short period of time she worked for F. Scott Fitzgerald as his secretary very interesing, well written and quite different from other books on the same subject.

4 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

For Fitzgerald fans, it's a must-read!

Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2017

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A kind and sincere remembrance of F. Scott Fitzgerald by his secretary of 18 months at the end of his life as he was writing "The Last Tycoon." I loved this little book.

One person found this helpful

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