The Gatsby Affair : Scott, Zelda, and the Betrayal That Shaped an American Classic

The romance between F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre has been celebrated as one of the greatest of the 20th century. From the beginning, their relationship was a tumultuous one, in which the couple's excesses were as widely known as their passion for each other. Despite their love, both Scott and Zelda engaged in flirtations that threatened to tear the couple apart. But none had a more profound impact on the two--and on Scott's writing--as the liaison between Zelda and a French aviator, Edouard Jozan. Though other biographies have written of Jozan as one of Scott's romantic rivals, accounts of the pilot's effect on the couple have been superficial at best. In The Gatsby Affair: Scott, Zelda, and the Betrayal That Shaped an American Classic, Kendall Taylor examines the dalliance between the southern belle and the French pilot from a fresh perspective. Drawing on conversations and correspondence with Jozan's daughter, as well as materials from the Jozan family archives, Taylor sheds new light on this romantic triangle. More than just a casual fling, Zelda's tryst with Edouard affected Scott as much as it did his wife--and ultimately influenced the author's most famous creation, Jay Gatsby. Were it not for Zelda's affair with the pilot, Scott's novel might be less about betrayal and more about lost illusions. Exploring the private motives of these public figures, Taylor offers new explanations for their behavior. In addition to the love triangle that included Jozan, Taylor also delves into an earlier event in Zelda's life--a sexual assault she suffered as a teenager--one that affected her future relationships. Both a literary study and a probing look at an iconic couple's psychological makeup, The Gatsby Affair offers readers a bold interpretation of how one of America's greatest novels was influenced. The romance between F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre has been celebrated as one of the greatest of the 20 th century. From the beginning, their relationship was a tumultuous one, in which the couples excesses were as widely known as their passion for each other. Despite their love, both Scott and Zelda engaged in flirtations that threatened to tear the couple apart. But none had a more profound impact on the twoand on Scotts writingas the liaison between Zelda and a French aviator, Edouard Jozan. Though other biographies have written of Jozan as one of Scotts romantic rivals, accounts of the pilots effect on the couple have been superficial at best. In The Gatsby Scott, Zelda, and the Betrayal That Shaped an American Classic, Kendall Taylor examines the dalliance between the southern belle and the French pilot from a fresh perspective. Drawing on conversations and correspondence with Jozans daughter, as well as materials from the Jozan family archives, Taylor sheds new light on this romantic triangle. More than just a casual fling, Zeldas tryst with Edouard affected Scott as much as it did his wifeand ultimately influenced the authors most famous creation, Jay Gatsby. Were it not for Zeldas affair with the pilot, Scotts novel might be less about betrayal and more about lost illusions. Exploring the private motives of these public figures, Taylor offers new explanations for their behavior. In addition to the love triangle that included Jozan, Taylor also delves into an earlier event in Zeldas lifea sexual assault she suffered as a teenagerone that affected her future relationships. Both a literary study and a probing look at an iconic couples psychological makeup, The Gatsby Affair offers readers a bold interpretation of how one of Americas greatest novels was influenced. "The romance between F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre has been celebrated as one of the greatest of the 20th century. Despite their love, both Scott and Zelda engaged in flirtations that threatened to tear the couple apart. But none had a more profound impact on the two--and on Scott's writing--as the liaison between Zelda and French aviator Edouard Jozan. Though other biographers have written of Jozan as one of Scott's romantic rivals, accounts of the pilot's effect on the couple have been superficial at best. Drawing on conversations and correspondence with Jozan's daughter, as well as materials from the Jozan family archives, Taylor sheds new light on this romantic triangle. More than just a casual fling, Zelda's tryst with Edouard affected Scott as much as it did his wife--and ultimately shaped the author's most famous creation, Jay Gatsby. Both a literary study and a probing look at an iconic couple's psychological makeup, The Gatsby Affair offers readers a bold interpretation of how one of America's greatest novels was profoundly influenced."--Dust jacket Explores Zelda Fitzgerald's Affair With French Aviator Edouard Jozan, The Man On Whom F. Scott Fitzgerald Based His Famous Character Jay Gatsby. Recklessness In The Making -- Seeds Of Discontent -- The French Lieutenant -- A Mistress Not A Wife -- Truly A Sad Story -- Retribution And Remorse -- Locked Away -- No Hope Salvaged -- An Ailment No One Could Cure -- All In Disarray -- A Mind Washed Clean -- Chronology. Kendall Taylor. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The Gatsby Affair explores Zelda Fitzgerald's affair with the French aviator, Edouard Jozan, who served as the prototype for F. Scott Fitzgerald's most famous creation, Jay Gatsby. This book draws on the Jozan family papers, photographs and archival materials and takes a bold new look at the creation of The Great Gatsby.