Explores how F. Scott Fitzgeralds short stories reveal the full depth of his life and literary genius The Life of the Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald presents a compelling case for reevaluating the writers most overlooked body of work--his short fiction. While Fitzgerald is best known for The Great Gatsby, Thomas Fahy presents him as one of the most important and prolific short story writers in the twentieth century. Fitzgerald penned a staggering 183 stories in his lifetime, and these works provide a nuanced understanding of his life and artistry. They fill in important gaps between his novels, and they are essential for appreciating the scope and sophistication of Fitzgeralds artistic vision, the range of his cultural commentary, the vicissitudes of his troubled life, and his ability to inspire generations of readers. In addition to discussing Zeldas important contributions to her husbands work, this unique volume responds to a need in Fitzgerald studies for a more comprehensive examination of his short fiction. By placing these short works alongside Fitzgeralds celebrated novels, Fahy maps out the evolution of his ideas, characters, style, and social commentary. He also explores the way Fitzgerald translated his personal experiences into lasting art. An accessible yet rigorous resource for appreciating the subtlety and range of Fitzgeralds writing, The Life of the Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald: Offers the first sustained biographical and critical analysis centered on Fitzgeralds short fiction Provides fresh interpretations of Fitzgeralds artistic development as a fiction and nonfiction writer Connects Fitzgeralds life experiences to specific short stories,novels, and nonfiction Situates Fitzgeralds work within the broader context of American literary modernism and the 1920s Integrates cultural history to illuminate the historical relevance of Fitzgeralds work Examines Fitzgeralds relationship with and influence on popular culture A timely addition to the body of Fitzgerald scholarship at the centennial of The Great Gatsby, The Life of the Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students in courses on twentieth-century American literature, American Modernism, the Roaring Twenties, and seminars on American modernists such as Ernest Hemingway, John Dos Passos, T. S. Eliot, and Gertrude Stein. It supports degree programs in English, American Studies, and Cultural Studies, and it is a valuable resource for literary scholars, educators, and general readers alike.