Plot Summary

May Day

F. Scott Fitzgerald
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May Day

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1920

Book Brief

F. Scott Fitzgerald

May Day

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1920
Book Details
Pages

40

Format

Short Story • Fiction

Publication Year

1920

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

"May Day" by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a short story set in New York City where a group of young, mostly upper-class Yale graduates gather for a social event amid the backdrop of riots involving recently decommissioned World War I soldiers. As the narrative unfolds, we follow characters like Gordon Sterrett, who struggles with unemployment and blackmail, and Edith Bradin, who navigates changing affections, all while societal tensions and personal crises culminate in tragic consequences.

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Nostalgic

Mysterious

Gritty

Reviews & Readership

4.1

1,571 ratings

56%

Loved it

35%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Reviews for May Day by F. Scott Fitzgerald praise its vivid portrayal of post-World War I American society and masterful character development. Critiques focus on its complex narrative structure, which some find confusing. Despite this, Fitzgerald's skillful prose and thematic depth are consistently acclaimed, making it a worthwhile but demanding read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read May Day?

Readers who would enjoy F. Scott Fitzgerald's May Day often appreciate Jazz Age settings, intricate character studies, and social commentary. Fans of Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby or Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence would likely find this novella compelling for its exploration of post-World War I disillusionment.

4.1

1,571 ratings

56%

Loved it

35%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

40

Format

Short Story • Fiction

Publication Year

1920

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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