Partytime: Geschichten aus den Roaring Twenties • F. Scott Fitzgerald

Two years ago, I read F. Scott Fitzgerald’s wonderful collection of love stories, Love in the Night, and also introduced it here. I absolutely loved the book—it’s a collection of truly beautiful short stories, always about love and always full of atmosphere. In the Roaring Twenties, F. Scott Fitzgerald was famous not only for his successful novels but also for these short stories. When I discovered this lovely new collection of his further tales, I knew I had to have it right away. Reading Love in the Night was such a great pleasure, and so I was all the more excited for Partytime: Stories from the Roaring Twenties.

My relationship with F. Scott Fitzgerald’s work is somewhat ambivalent. His novel The Great Gatsby was rediscovered after his death in the 1940s and has since become one of his most famous works—certainly helped by its well-known and successful film adaptation. The book only moderately impressed me; I didn’t think it was bad, but it didn’t overwhelm me either. What drew me to Love in the Night two years ago was the central theme of love stories, the charming setting (the Roaring Twenties), and the beautifully designed edition from Diogenes Verlag. I was so impressed by the book and its handpicked stories that I then got I’d Die for You: And Other Lost Stories, also a collection of Fitzgerald’s short fiction, published by Hoffmann und Campe. That one, however, focused on his later and lesser-known work, which left me rather disappointed. I belong to the audience that adores his tales of young love, and those stories were of a very different kind.

Partytime includes seven stories and again comes with a very successful book design—those golden peacock feathers and the rich turquoise make it a visual delight, perfectly capturing the style of the 1920s. The sense of recognition is immediate, and for me, Diogenes Verlag ranks among the very best publishers, one that has always shown a remarkable instinct for quality. It truly makes a difference which publisher a book comes from. Once you find one that consistently delivers excellent books in a certain genre, it’s worth sticking with them—because someone there clearly thinks like you do.

The main theme, as one might guess, is parties, which play a central role in every story—though each in its own unique way. Love, or rather courtship, also repeatedly appears. The focus is less on emerging romances and more on the various circumstances surrounding them, which differ greatly from one tale to another. Each story features a twist or a punchline toward which it builds, giving the stories a certain tension and high entertainment value. Once again, it’s a delight to read, though Partytime feels much too short and can be finished in no time at all. I once again experienced what I call the Maupassant novella effect: every time I finished a story, I immediately wanted to start the next one—I couldn’t resist and kept reading straight through.

My favorite story was the second one, Bernice Bobs Her Hair, which is beautifully written and vividly captures both the social dynamics and inner thoughts of the characters, conveying the carefree youth and buoyant party atmosphere while also exploring deeper human emotions. The twist at the end makes you smile—it’s satisfying in its own way. The first story, Rags Martin-Jones and the Prince of Wales, also features a surprising resolution and is steeped in that dense New York party mood of the 1920s. The third story, May Day, was my least favorite—it felt too long-winded and lacked structure, though it does offer some insight into the impact of World War I’s end on American society. The fourth story, The Jelly-Bean, I really liked again. Set in the American South, it features a wonderfully drawn female character. That Southern setting, combined with the well-crafted main figures, was particularly captivating. The story’s twist lies in the protagonist’s reflections, and as with Bernice Bobs Her Hair, I found myself smiling at the end. The Baby Party is, as the title suggests, a children’s birthday party—a funny premise for this collection. It’s short, lighthearted, and fits perfectly as a brief interlude between the longer tales. The Dance, the sixth story, also takes place in the South and again went in a completely different direction, which I really enjoyed. The Wedding Party, on the other hand, was entertaining but rather straightforward—a pleasant conclusion, though nothing more.

All in all, the book completely won me over again and was a consistent reading pleasure throughout. Fitzgerald’s writing style is engaging and elegant; his stories are entertaining and full of life, his characters well-shaped but never overdrawn, providing just the right amount of detail to form a clear picture of each personality. The great achievement here lies in the selection and composition of the stories, which Diogenes Verlag once again executed perfectly. The entire book exudes the atmosphere of the 1920s, radiating the spirit of those exuberant parties, and even though these aren’t straightforward love stories, there’s always an element of courtship present—just as one would expect from such lively celebrations.

The book itself is again beautifully made. With its embossed golden peacock feathers, the perfectly chosen turquoise tone, and the matching golden ribbon bookmark, it looks truly exquisite. Even before you begin reading, you’re mentally transported to the 1920s—which, for a book, is a wonderful added value.

Conclusion: With this collection of stories, Diogenes Verlag has once again done everything right. The stories, all centered around parties and infused with the atmosphere of the Roaring Twenties, are highly entertaining, depict the characters in just the right depth, are diverse, and repeatedly surprise readers with cleverly arranged twists. The small book, with its golden embellishments and rich turquoise cover, is gorgeous and makes a perfect gift. It completely delighted me once again, and this charming little volume will not be leaving my library anytime soon.

Book information: PPartytime: Geschichten aus den Roaring Twenties • F. Scott Fitzgerald • Diogenes Verlag • 272 pages • ISBN 9783257071795