I always thought this book was called The Beautiful and the Damned and was surprised to realize the second "the" wasn't there. The actual title certainly takes the suspense out of the story. Obviously, it isn't going to end happily or well when they are damned. It isn't a cheerful book as none of the character come off particularly well, and all of the characters make bad choices and end up worse than they were in the beginning of the story, but it is particularly bad for the main character of Anthony Patch. His life of dissipation definitely catches up to him in a big way, although he apparently doesn't see it. The other main character is his wife, Gloria. She is described as the most beautiful woman any of the character have ever seen. As such (considering the title), I expected her to end very poorly. She seemed to escape mostly unscathed, though. She did age a little, which was devastating to someone as focused on her looks as she always seemed to be, and her personality became a little less self-contained and haughty as they faced challenges. The biggest indication that she has suffered and changed is when a young woman at the end of the story comments that she seems "sort of dyed and unclean." Earlier in the story the young Gloria comments about how this rare and indefinable quality of "cleanness" is the most important trait a person can have. But it certainly isn't an obvious form of being "damned." It is a great book and an excellent demonstration of Fitzgerald's particular talents. It is certainly worth the time it takes to read.
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