brilliant prose - Rated 
I read this as a young 20 something in the 80's and was captured by it. Quite brilliant whatever others have said. It gives you a sense of 'being', of place, and what it is / was to be young. It centres you and lifts your spirit so much that you feel carried by the character. One to read again and again to lift you. Makes you feel as invincible and unique as Amory himself. Truly wonderful and of course recommended.
Unperfected Prose... A Perfect Story - Rated
Reading some of these reviews has proven to be depressing - in the sense that everyone is focusing on the youthful 'flaws' of this novel. Perhaps it is not comparable in brilliance to Gatsby - but kids-Fitzgerald was a rarest of species-he was a literary genius and Gatsby was his masterpiece! 'This Side'...may have been his first attempt out but never the less a marvelous portrait of being young in the 20th Century. It's shameful that people constantly compare this story to Gatsby, his Sistine Chapel of novels. No, this is simply a terrific story - and it truly is. Amory Blaine is an exceedinlgy likeable protagonist(something all the 'young hip'writers of today seem to forget to have), his images are portraits and his prose are just beginning to blossom. Indeed, this a youthfully 'flawed' novel by a young genius - which still equals an excellent work of fiction. - Oh, and if one reads this book and does not like Amory Blaine, that someone either forgot what it was to be young - or simply doesn't want to be reminded. Ciao.
The most boring book I've ever read. - Rated 
I don't know what everyone sees in this book. I found it very boring and a pain to read, but I didn't quit on it, hoping it would get better. I got nothing out of reading it. I figured whatever literary value the book had 80 years ago had been outdated.
My Absolute Favorite - Rated
As a HS sophomore I read this book for the first time, and I was enthralled with Amory's journey to find himself. The closing lines of the novel remain some of my favorite of anything I've read. Everytime I re-read this book, I am captured by the search for self and prompted to rethink my own self-concepts. Some criticize the book for its unrefined style, but the variance in techniques used is one of my favorite parts of the novel. I love Fitzgerald most for his way with words, and the use of both poetry and script along with prose truly showcase his brilliance. A wonderful read!
endearing - Rated
Fitzgerald's early work is gorgeously flawed. No reader will ever forget Amory Blaine. This Side of Paradise is an experimental, naiive, and self-consciously brilliant work, and should be read by anyone on the brink of their college years, and then again and again.
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