This was a depressing difficult book to read. Zelda was an athletic beautiful young woman, courted by many men, but F Scott Fitzgerald was determined he’d “own” this southern belle himself. He truly believed he owned not only her but all her ideas, what she could and couldn’t do with her life, etc. When she tried to exert some independence, particularly in ballet and writing, he blasted her! Her ballet was a waste and her ideas belonged to him. Eventually he broke her, from owning her and everything she did, having many affairs, and drinking so excessively no one could stand to be around him. So she was institutionalized—and he insisted on demanding the treatments she received—until her doctors, belatedly, realized he was her problem. But by then the electric shock treatment and his unrelenting beating her down had ruined her health. Frustratingly, at the beginning of the book, it felt like the author was being an armchair psychiatrist. But then her thorough research shone through. It was obvious how broken she was, from primary sources: letters between Scott/Zelda, Scott/doctors, and a lengthy transcription of a heartbreaking joint therapy session. Zelda loved Scott and wanted to obey and do his bidding, but she needed freedom—physically and emotionally. Highly recommended but it is a disturbing read. ( )

I got a lot more information about the life of Zelda Fitzgerald in this biography than the one by Nancy Milford. I definitely felt that Linda Wagner-Martin focused more on the life of Zelda than Scott and gave a lot more insight on what a talented and amazing person she really was. She wasn't just F. Scott Fitzgeralds crazy wife. I would definitely reccomend this book to anyone with an interest in the Fitzgeralds. ( )

A good biography, though with a rather bitter feminist leaning. ( )