"The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" by F. Scott Fitzgerald follows John T. Unger, a teenager from Mississippi, who befriends the wealthy and secretive Percy Washington at a private school. Percy invites John to his opulent family estate in the Montana Rockies, boasting of a diamond larger than the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Once there, John uncovers the family’s dark secrets, including extreme measures to protect their treasure, and faces moral dilemmas amidst opulence and romance.

F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Diamond as Big as the Ritz captivates with its imaginative prose and critique of wealth and opulence, drawing praise for its originality and wit. However, some find its characters underdeveloped and the narrative occasionally disjointed. Overall, it's a compelling read for fans of Fitzgerald's commentary on the American Dream.

A reader who enjoys The Diamond as Big as the Ritz by F. Scott Fitzgerald likely appreciates intricate satire and explorations of wealth and moral ambiguity. Fans of The Great Gatsby and Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited may find this novella compelling due to its critique of high society and ostentatious lifestyles.

Mysterious / Fantastical / Suspenseful / Dark / Bittersweet

- The Diamond as Big as the Ritz was initially rejected by several magazines before being published in The Smart Set in 1922 and later republished in Tales of the Jazz Age.
- The novella features a fantastical quality and a critique of wealth, showcasing Fitzgerald's characteristic exploration of the American Dream and its complexities.
- Drawing from his own experiences, Fitzgerald sets part of the story in Montana, capturing the opulence and isolating nature of extreme wealth during the Jazz Age.

Plot Summary

Book Brief

Explore The Diamond as Big as the Ritz reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Book Brief The Diamond as Big as the Ritz

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Diamond as Big as the Ritz and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Diamond as Big as the Ritz

Book Brief

The Diamond as Big as the Ritz

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Diamond as Big as the Ritz?