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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button | Francis Scott Fitzgerald
In 1860 Baltimore, Benjamin is born with the physical appearance of a 70-year-old man, already capable of speech. His father Roger invites neighborhood boys to play with him and orders him to play with children's toys, but Benjamin obeys only to please his father. At five, Benjamin is sent to kindergarten but is quickly withdrawn after he repeatedly falls asleep during child activities. When Benjamin turns 12, the Button family realizes that he is aging backwards. At the age of 18, Benjamin enrolls in Yale College, but is sent home by officials, who think he is a 50-year-old lunatic.
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MaCa
Pickpick

A male ages backwards until the story fades into the lack of consciousness of babyhood. Benjamin is born a ready-made foul-mouth of 70. Twenty years later, he's kicked out of college due to appearing to be 50, but the funniest moment comes when Ben is already sixty in real years but looks 10, and the playmate of his own grandson! Little indication here that Fitzgerald would go on to produce one of America‘s finest novels, but its fun

7 likes1 stack add
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TheKidUpstairs
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button | Francis Scott Fitzgerald
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#OnThisDay in 1922 Collier's Magazine published a new short story by F Scott Fitzgerald - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Inspiration for this tale of a man aging backwards came from a Mark Twain quote: "It is a pity that the best part of life comes at the beginning, and the worst part at the end." A 2008 film adaptation made some changes, incl changing Button's wife's name from Hildegarde to Daisy in a nod to Gatsby. #HistoryGetsLIT

vivastory I really enjoyed this story 2y
60 likes1 comment
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TsundokuManasi
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Pickpick

Finished reading on #Serialreader.

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Rachhyboo
Pickpick

I did watch the movie first years ago and I can‘t not believe how different in comparison. The book was more of comedy and not so serious. I loved it. I highly recommend it.

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LondElle89
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Mehso-so

I thought the writingnin the book was well done, but the story a little lackluster for me. Being that it was a short story, I feel like not enough character development was able to be expanded. Other than that, it was interesting as well as the two other stories that came along with this audiobook. 3 out of 5.

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MeJeMiller
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Mehso-so

I‘m so ambivalent. Wasn‘t a big fan of the movie though so ambivalence is a step up.

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jesseastin
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this quick novella as a sort of palate cleanser in between all the angsty teenage YA books I‘ve been reading lately. I never saw the movie-I wonder how it compares. The story is succinct and left me feeling a bit melancholy. You know how it will have to end. (And in order to combat the melancholy, I‘m sharing this photo of Lemon, my sister‘s cat.)

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IndianBookworm
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Pickpick

Just as the title says, the story really is a curious case about Benjamin Button. I actually liked the novella. The pace is quite nice and it won't bore you. The story become a bit predictable towards the end for obvious reasons but there'll be some fun and unexpected elements that'll keep you hooked. You should definitely give it a try.
4/5🌟

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KerriNTurner
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Warning: contents differ quite a lot from the movie. I actually enjoy both, in different ways, and the book comes with the addition of two other short stories: Bernice Bobs her Hair, and The Diamond as Big as the Ritz.

23 likes2 stack adds
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LittleMummyMe
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Pickpick

A good, quick read.
I didn't like the fact that when Benjamin was 'old' and his wife young, that was ok to him... he adored her. When he was 'young' and his wife old, he couldn't stand to even be seen with her... 😑 😡

19 likes1 stack add
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ElisabethRose
Mehso-so

It's nice to read a book of Fitzgerald's that isn't The Great Gatsby.

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nalinisriv
Mehso-so

A quick read with ornations. It was interesting but the movie was better. I felt if the book was a little longer the author could elaborate a lot of hanging thoughts it could have been better.

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BritanyA
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Used this for the super hard (for me) #Popsugar challenge of a movie you‘ve already seen. Somehow I didn‘t realize this was even a book. Super short (

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rjsthumbelina
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Pickpick

Read on #serialreader. Enjoyed, but found its meaning a little muddled. It felt like that scene in Finding Nemo: "It's like hes trying to speak to me, I know it!" I just cant grasp what point it is that Fitzgerald is trying to make, which is super frustrating to me

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lisakoby
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Pickpick

Some beautiful imagery, but I keep getting caught on the impossible mechanics of his entry and exit to and from the world. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

#novella #bucketlistread

Suet624 Love the photo. 7y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Anescapewithinthepages
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Pickpick

As always Fitzgerald is a delight! His story telling abilities are really highlighted in this novel, he wove short story with so much going on and so many historical events to account for and yet the narration stayed whimsical. It was an absolute joy to read.

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heatherkaz
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Cinfhen Well played 🏆excellent choice💗 7y
27 likes1 comment
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Ohjustbooks
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this one. I saw the movie a very long time ago and as such I've forgotten half the story line. But this book was great, sort of mocking the whole idea. But that's why I love Fitzgerald. I'm not going to get into the biological impossibility of it, but even hypothetically, it's a really intriguing piece of work. Read it atleast once. Contemplate your mortality in the pricesa, maybe.

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quietlycuriouskate
Mehso-so

An intriguing idea but, in fact, the early chapters creeped me out. A woman somehow surviving (without comment) giving birth to a 5'8" old man for a baby: just the thought of that takes some getting over! On the other hand, the story has valid things to say about the pressures on the individual to conform to parental and societal expectations, and the ending was surprisingly moving.

quietlycuriouskate My book for 1922 in the #192019challenge 7y
12 likes1 comment
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quietlycuriouskate
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Spending an hour doing some audio crochet. Any fellow crocheteers out there?
This is actually the first audiobook I've listened to (yeah, I know, I'm still in the Dark Ages!). I always thought audio was "cheating" somehow, but who doesn't love to be told stories?

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Pemberley
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How was I not aware that F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote this?? Have I been living under a rock?? So excited.

16 likes2 stack adds
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JulAnna
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Pickpick

Quick read on Serial Reader. Liked it much better than the movie! 😊

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Rachbb3
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Pickpick

What a strange short story. I enjoyed it though. I've heard people say that they wish they could start old and get younger. After this I don't think I'd want that.

#maybookflowers

DreesReads I plan to read this one soon! 8y
JulAnna I just started this serial read yesterday! 😊 8y
82 likes2 comments
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pppooraikul
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Mehso-so

I had no idea it's a short story! (Yes, I watched the movie a long time ago.) They're completely different even with the exact storyline. The book's tone seemed to be more ...mocking. And I like that. The concept of growing younger alone is thought-provoking and inspiring. Still, I wish the author spent more on the details. I like it. But it could be way better.
#SerialReader

52 likes3 stack adds
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CharissaWeaksAuthor
Pickpick

Listened to the audio. Kinda sad, but I appreciated the concept. Good read if you need something short.

24 likes1 stack add
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CharissaWeaksAuthor
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A quick read this morning.

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bibliobliss
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Mehso-so

• Don't have much to say about this one. It was cute and a bit entertaining but nothing extraordinary. The concept itself was the most interesting part for me. It won't change your life by any means but it's good for some quick, light reading. •

#serialreaderapp #readingtheclassics #aninstallmentadaykeepsboredomaway

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heatherkaz
Pickpick

This was an amusing short story full of characters who were, really, not good people. Perfect, quick read for in between novels or for listening to during some housework.

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heatherkaz
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A short story and a lot of laundry this morning! In real life I have a case of the curious toddler.
#audiobook

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llwheeler
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I've seen a lot of people posting about serial reader and curiosity got the best of me. Just downloaded it and picked something short to give it a try. Neat! Seems like another good way to read classics.

natellk Same here! Just downloaded it and decided to read this piece!! 8y
llwheeler @natellk hope you enjoy! 8y
8 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Pickpick

Let's call this 'C' #LitsyAtoZ. Fun short story that I hadn't read before (nor seen the movie). Watch out for the random racist remarks though!

Notafraidofwords Lol proceed with caution, racism ahead. 8y
18 likes1 comment
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MissKatie
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Heartbreaking little story.

I wish this would have been a longer work for so many reasons. I don't want to say the movie was better, but. . . .

MissKatie That said, I love this line. So Fitzy. 😉🤗 8y
Yournewfriendsams I completely agree with your takeaway! 8y
34 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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abbiereadsbooks
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The only other Fitzgerald I've read is Gatsby, and I've gotta say, I'm disappointed I haven't picked up more of his work sooner.

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stacybmartin
Mehso-so

My first Serial read completed - it was nice and short, only 4 days' worth of issues. It was alright, I guess, but deeply disturbing to consider a woman birthing a full-grown elderly man. Of course, Fitzgerald didn't go into the details of it or his mother's feelings (because who cares about what women have to go through, let's get back to how the men are affected 🙄). As a mother myself, I couldn't get past that uber-creepiness factor. Ick.

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cherinium
Panpan

This fell flat for me. I remember watching the movie years ago and enjoying it, but the written story did nothing for me. No emotion, no detail, and no personal connection with any of the characters. 😴

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Josie
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Pickpick

Finished my first Serial read! It made me really sad. Almost like a nauseous sad. It was pretty short (only 4 issues) and it sped through Benjamin's life at a much faster pace than the movie. I liked it, though. I looked forward to the new issue each day and it evoked some strong feels. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

43 likes4 stack adds
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myexpandingbookshelf
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On to my next @SerialReader read. Another short one but very interested to see what it's about.

#reading #shortstory #fantasy #classics #fscottfitzgerald #serialreader

MrBook Great movie too 😊👍🏻. 8y
myexpandingbookshelf @MrBook That's good to hear too! I really need to watch it at some point 8y
MrBook Brad Pitt does a good job in it. 8y
11 likes3 comments
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andireja
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Mehso-so

So I fell asleep every time I tried to watch the movie, because it's too slow for me. And now that I've read the short story behind it, I wonder how that's even possible, because it seems to just skip really quickly through Benjamin's life...

7 likes1 stack add
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Suzze
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Mehso-so

I haven't seen the movie so didn't really know what this was about. Interesting concept, but too short so it felt like big chunks of time were missing.

Qemorio I completely agree with your review. Good idea but doesn't live up to its potential. 8y
34 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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okthislooksbad
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Bless you, glorious people of Litsy, for introducing me to Serial Reader. Bless.

Eyelit Isn't it fantastic?!? I'm so glad that litsy introduced me to it as well 😄 8y
bookishbitch What is serial reader? And you should check out Max Tivoli. Very similar story. When I saw the movie Benjamin Button I was shocked it wasn't based on Max Tivoli. 8y
okthislooksbad @Eyelit yeeees, I love it! Classics, classics everywhere! 8y
okthislooksbad @bookishbitch it's an app where you can basically choose a classic, and every day you get an "issue" to read - I think it consists of 10-15 ish pages ? Superb if you're into classics ? 8y
bookishbitch Ok thanks for the info! 8y
9 likes5 comments
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Emory
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Pickpick

Found this one on Serial Reader. It's a short story so it was a nice, quick read between novels. Definitely check it out if you have 20 minutes to spare.

read_diverse_books Woah, I didn't know this story was written by Fitzgerald! Nice. 8y
Emory @read_diverse_books I know! I was so surprised to see that too. I'm kind of ashamed to admit that until I saw this, I thought that the film (which I still haven't seen) was the only version of this story. 😶 8y
Eyelit If you liked Benjamin Button you'll also like Max Tivoli (and I think the movie version of button had more similarities to Tivoli) 8y
read_diverse_books @Emory lol, I didn't want to admit that either. So thanks for doing it first. 😆 8y
Emory @Eyelit Ooh! Definitely adding that to my TBR. Thanks! 😀 8y
55 likes4 stack adds5 comments