Great Scott! It’s F. Scott!
Did everyone have a nice weekend? Mine was fabulous, filled with good food, great friends and mini-trips around the DC/MD/VA region. It’s 60 degrees today (but rainy) but heading down to the 40s again for the rest of the week. Three weeks until I leave for Down Under, which means it’s now “go” time for the stress to kick in. Eek!
Like probably everyone else, I had to read “The Great Gatsby” in high school. But probably unlike a lot of other people, I loved it. And still do. “Gatsby” is one of those books I still read every year or two because it’s just the good. Every time, there’s something new to discover.
For years, I’d known that F. Scott Fitzgerald was buried in Rockville, Md., which is 10 minutes from my house. Every time we drove by the church (which is at a major intersection), I’d think, “I need to go there some day.”
Thankfully, my friend Kristen finally suggested stopping by and I’m so glad we did.
(Random but did you know Fitzgerald died while eating a candy bar? On the list of ways to go, that can’t be too terrible…)
F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, are buried at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The original chapel — isn’t it pretty? — was built in 1816.
Next door is the newer church building, which is frankly an ugly, beige eyesore. Sorry. It doesn’t even deserve a photo.
We had to wander around for a few minutes before finding the Fitzgerald family (F. Scott’s dad’s side of the family) plot. It’s not one of the huge stone angels or massive monoliths but when we saw two other people in the cemetery carefully examining a gravestone, it was pretty obvious.
Some visitors leave pennies (for good luck) or flowers at the gravesite.
The grave is inscribed with “The Great Gatsby”‘s famous last line: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” Poetry!
What is your favorite book? “The Great Gatsby” definitely tops my list, along with “A Prayer for Owen Meany” and “The Alchemist.”
All your blogs make me miss living in DC (I was a nanny there about 2 years ago) – esp. the one where you talk about wanting to live in Georgetown!
This one makes me miss DC too! I did not know that Francis Scott key was buried up there – how cool that you went there!
Great pics too!
The Great Gatsby is one of my all-time favorites — I had no idea he was buried down here. I will have to pay a visit pronto! What a gorgeous church, too.
Very cool! As an English teacher/nerd, I have a LONG list of favorite books and have A LOT of trouble picking favorites– it’s like being forced to pick a favorite child!!
I’m the same way. It’s hard to narrow down!
I can totally picture that church in my head. It’s across from Richard Montgomery, right?
I like A Prayer for Owen Meany too. And The World According to Garp.
Yep!
John Irving is one of my fave authors, too.
I actually wasn’t a huge fan of the Great Gatsby, but I loved his The Beautiful and the Damned, which I read in Korea. I have always found his writing wonderfully poetic, but have never ended up completely caring for his stories (to date: Great Gatsby and Tender is the Night). I would totally recommend it.
Also a favourite: On the Road (for the person always on the road–and the only novel I have with me in hard copy–the rest are read on Stanza on my iPod–tedious, yes, but free and takes up zero space). And we’ll toss in Wharton’s House of Mirth. I found A Passage to India wonderful, and Pride and Prejudice is always a delight. As is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass (read them as an adult–they’re so imaginative! and with an appreciation for language). Also, I still love A Farewell to Arms.
I have other favourites, but they betray my background in Russia a bit too much. Hefty 800-1000 page novels are not always ideal.
On a lighter note, if you’re ever looking for classic literature but craving soap opera like plots, check out Galsworthy’s Forsythe Saga. I am not sure I know of any other book that is such pulp fiction yet still from a Nobel Prize Winner.
That is way too many favourites.
Someone else recently recommended the Forsythe Saga — sounds worth picking up.
I didn’t like Tender is the Night either but will definitely check out The Beautiful and the Damned. Thanks!
Was never able to love A Farewell to Arms but do adore The Sun Also Rises.
Good taste, Anna!