annieb123's Review of The Paper Dolls of Zelda Fitzgerald

by Eleanor Lanahan

A beautifully designed, full-color collection of paper dolls created by Zelda Fitzgerald, lovingly compiled by her granddaughter, Eleanor Lanahan.

Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald has long been an American cultural icon. A Southern belle turned flapper, Zelda was talented in dance, painting, and writing but lived in the shadow of her writer husband F. Scott Fitzgerald’s success.

The golden couple of the Jazz Age, Zelda and her husband moved around—from hotels to rented villas to apartments in Paris—and Zelda always brought along her paints. Few people know she painted at all, and fewer still know she made paper dolls. But throughout her life, Zelda created dolls, whenever she could, in private. By design, paper dolls are delicate, fragile, and destined for destruction at the hands of children. Zelda’s dolls began as playthings for her daughter, Scottie, born in 1921. Fortunately, Zelda continued to make figures after Scottie outgrew them, first of their family and then of storybook characters—lavish, graceful, bold figures.

These unique characters were a portable troupe, a colorful paper caravan that travelled inside her luggage. Zelda chose subjects she relished: society figures of the French Court, or Red Riding Hood’s predatory wolf, as vivacious as the girl. Whether they are cardinals, kings, or bears, the dolls are fashionably attired in ball gowns, armor, and capes.

A gorgeous and unique keepsake and a perfect gift for book and art lovers, this delightful collection of Zelda’s paper dolls offers an intimate peek into the life of one of the Lost Generation’s most fascinating creative artists.

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Paper Dolls of Zelda Fitzgerald is, of course, a pictorial catalogue of most of the paper dolls which were painted by Zelda Fitzgerald during her life, but it's so much more than just a well curated pictorial history. Due out 22nd Nov 2022 from Simon & Schuster on their Scribner imprint, it's 127 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

Curated and annotated by Zelda's granddaughter, Eleanor Lanahan, this charming book is full of colorful and well reproduced paper dolls as well as full of recollections of playing with the dolls (gently), pictures of her mother playing with paper dolls, and many recollections of her family and growing up as a part of a very famous literary family.

The reproductions are clear and beautifully detailed with tiny intricate wardrobes and historical figures with armor and fancy dress.

This would be a good choice for public library acquisition, for lovers of paper dolls and ephemera, and for drawing and painting inspiration for home use.

Four and half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Reading updates

21 November, 2022: Started reading

21 November, 2022: Finished reading

21 November, 2022: Reviewed