Trimalchio: An Early Version of 'The Great Gatsby' (The Cambridge Edition of the Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald)

It is a well-known story that F. Scott Fitzgerald, before settling on The Great Gatsby at Maxwell Perkins urging shortly before the book went to press, toyed around with dozens of names. Among those was Trimalchio in the West Egg and Under the Red, White, and Blue. What is less known, however, is how many different changes he made to the novel itself. The various drafts (only one of which is included here) show how fluid the act of writing can be. Often the work of editing is as difficult as producing the initial draft. None of Fitzgerald's changes between the initial galley proofs and the final version fundamentally change the plot of the novel, but it is readily apparent this is an earlier draft.Among the main changes are the novel's less poetic narrative language and the weaker characterization of many of the secondary characters. The details of Jay Gatsby's background shift somewhat. In the final confrontation between Gatsby and Tom Buchanan, Daisy still chooses Tom, but there is less of a sense of finality about it. To my surprise, I actually preferred Trimalchio somewhat to the final version. The book also includes a useful addendum that notes the various changes made at each stage of the creative process. I generally prefer footnotes to endnotes, but can understand the editorial decision as less cumbersome. Overall, this is a great contribution to American letters of interest to both English scholars and fans of The Great Gatsby.

By and large, it really is the same book, aside from the ordering of the middle and end chapters. However there are key distinct differences. The final 'can't change the past' part is absent/altered and Daisy almost left Tom, before the argument at the Plaza. I wish the commentary was longer, but what they provided was insightful. That said, I'd recommend for die-hard fans, as 5 chapters in, aside from a few words or sentences - it really is the final book.

Interesting to see how the novel evolved into The Great Gatsby that we know today. Significant amounts of reference materials and notes are included. Some interesting perspectives into Fitzgerald in relation to his work methods and story development.

This volume is an early draft of Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" and, while it follows the same general plot, it has a large number of changes that make it stand out: Gatsby's nature is more thoroughly developed through some more intimate moments with Nick (scenes of this which were not present in "The Great Gatsby" were even used in Baz Luhrmann's 2013 film), the relationship with Jordan and Nick feels more realistic and developed, and many other differences that lead to a deeper understanding of the final text. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

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This is a good book for people who are obsessed with The Great Gatsby and would like to know more about Fitzgerald's possible intent.

Interesting alternate of the Great Gatsby.

This is Gatsby before it was called The Great Gatsby. If the creative process is at all important to you this gives you an insight to Fitzgerald's editing and finalizing of a classic novel. I love both versions. I can no longer imagine thinking of one without the other.

Found this book an easier read than the later version. More beliveable and easier to understand. Found myself rereading chapters just for the beauty of the language.

This Book is a great read! Lots of extra’s of notes,references and the process of how the novel the Great Gastby was written into its final draft. Highly recommend this book to fans of F.Scott Fitzgerald and even anyone who has watched the films and want to read a more in-depth version to the story.

Needed this books for a university class. Very helpful for writers learning about the revisions process.

Petronius inspired the title Trimalchio and F.Scott Fitzgerald transformed Trimalchio into the popular Great Gatsby.All main libraries should keep a copy of both books.Received on time and in good condition. With Thanks.