|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
商品の説明
内容説明
Today, F. Scott Fitzgerald is known for his novels, but in his lifetime, his fame stemmed from his prolific achievement as one of America's most gifted story writers. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," a witty and fantastical satire about aging, is one of his most memorable stories.
In 1860 Benjamin Button is born an old man and mysteriously begins aging backward. At the beginning of his life he is withered and worn, but as he continues to grow younger he embraces life -- he goes to war, runs a business, falls in love, has children, goes to college and prep school, and, as his mind begins to devolve, he attends kindergarten and eventually returns to the care of his nurse.
This strange and haunting story embodies the sharp social insight that has made Fitzgerald one of the great voices in the history of American literature. --このテキストは、 ペーパーバック 版に関連付けられています。
Book Description
Today, F. Scott Fitzgerald is known for his novels, but in his lifetime, his fame stemmed from his prolific achievement as one of America's most gifted story writers. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," a witty and fantastical satire about aging, is one of his most memorable stories.
In 1860 Benjamin Button is born an old man and mysteriously begins aging backward. At the beginning of his life he is withered and worn, but as he continues to grow younger he embraces life -- he goes to war, runs a business, falls in love, has children, goes to college and prep school, and, as his mind begins to devolve, he attends kindergarten and eventually returns to the care of his nurse.
This strange and haunting story embodies the sharp social insight that has made Fitzgerald one of the great voices in the history of American literature. --このテキストは、 ペーパーバック 版に関連付けられています。
In 1860 Benjamin Button is born an old man and mysteriously begins aging backward. At the beginning of his life he is withered and worn, but as he continues to grow younger he embraces life -- he goes to war, runs a business, falls in love, has children, goes to college and prep school, and, as his mind begins to devolve, he attends kindergarten and eventually returns to the care of his nurse.
This strange and haunting story embodies the sharp social insight that has made Fitzgerald one of the great voices in the history of American literature. --このテキストは、 ペーパーバック 版に関連付けられています。
登録情報
|
類似した商品から提示されたタグ(詳細)関連タグ(この商品に近い関連キーワード)を追加する++最初のタグになります
|
カスタマーレビュー
最も参考になったカスタマーレビュー
2 人中、2人の方が、｢このレビューが参考になった｣と投票しています。
形式:ペーパーバック
老人の姿で生まれ、若返って最後は赤ん坊として死ぬ男の物語が、僅か５２頁の小冊子とは驚きだが、ボリュームがクオリティーを左右する訳ではないから、若さを先に失うか後から失うかという大人向けの寓話として面白く読んだ。家庭ドラマに大人びた子供の存在は不可欠と言えるが、本書の主人公は祖父に瓜二つの皺くちゃ老人にしか見えず、隠れて葉巻まで吸うのだからその範疇を超えている。
家で子供を生むのが当たり前だった１９世紀中頃、主人公ベンジャミンが麻酔薬の匂う「病院」で生まれたのは両親が進歩的だったからだという冒頭の記述が特に興味深い。医療制度の発展が少なくとも家族の一員として主人公が無事に引き取られることを後押ししたと判るからだ。もし家で出産したのなら、衝撃が強すぎて何か災いが起きたのではあるまいか。現に映画では父親が醜悪なわが子を捨ててしまう筋立てだと聞く。
著者フイッツジェラルドが生きた時代の父系重視の社会構造が反映されたのか、健在する母親が会話に登場しないのが奇妙に思える。小説とはいえ母親の戸惑いや拒絶反応を描き切れなかったのか、乳母が面倒を見る当時の習慣で母親の姿を不要と考えたのか。
父親の母校イェールで新入生登録係から疑われ、在校生に罵詈雑言を浴びせられて追い返される悲劇に見舞われたベンジャミンに、やがて＜青春のときめき＞が訪れる。地元ボルティモアでの仮装舞踏会で運命の女性ヒルデガードに出会ったのだ。
「細身で可憐な娘。その髪は月の光に蒼ざめ、ポーチで爆ぜるガス燈の灯を受けるとハチミツ色に輝いて見えた。黒い蝶柄の柔らかそうな黄色いスペイン製スカーフがその娘の肩口まで覆い、その足先にはスカートの縁飾りのボタンが煌いていた。」
父親をベンジャミンの兄弟だと勘違いしているヒルデガードは「年配の男性の方が好ましいですわ。大学でどれだけシャンパンを飲んだとか、やれカードの賭け事で大金を摩ったとかを得意気に話す若い人は阿呆だとしか思えませんもの。」と語る率直な娘だった。イェールでの苦い屈辱の経験から彼女の誤解を解くのをベンジャミンは躊躇った。
ヒルデガードに恋をした彼は夢見心地でダンスを楽しんだあと、「金槌と釘の次に着目すべき商品は何だと思う？」との父親からの問いに、「それはＬｏｖｅ(愛)です。」と上の空で答えて、「Ｌｕｇｓ(取っ手)だって？！」と父親を呆れ返させるこのやり取りがとても面白い。
最愛の女性を伴侶に迎えビジネスに邁進したベンジャミンは、ハーバードを卒業した息子ロスコーに家業(銃鉄器卸売店)を譲るが、若返って元気一杯。米西戦争に際して入隊し、大尉から少佐を経て中佐にまで昇進したり、自らもハーバードに入学し、フットボールの試合で憎っきイェールの選手たちをフィールドで薙ぎ倒し一人で七つのタッチダウンを奪う大活躍を見せたりするところは「フォレスト・ガンプ」の主人公を彷彿とさせ楽しめる。
逆回転の人生を辿ろうが、人はいつか死ぬ定めだから、得たもの(家族との思い出など)と失ったもの(別の選択肢での可能性)との帳尻がプラスである限り幸せなんだ。単純にして深遠なこんな人生哲学を本書から学び得た気がする。
家で子供を生むのが当たり前だった１９世紀中頃、主人公ベンジャミンが麻酔薬の匂う「病院」で生まれたのは両親が進歩的だったからだという冒頭の記述が特に興味深い。医療制度の発展が少なくとも家族の一員として主人公が無事に引き取られることを後押ししたと判るからだ。もし家で出産したのなら、衝撃が強すぎて何か災いが起きたのではあるまいか。現に映画では父親が醜悪なわが子を捨ててしまう筋立てだと聞く。
著者フイッツジェラルドが生きた時代の父系重視の社会構造が反映されたのか、健在する母親が会話に登場しないのが奇妙に思える。小説とはいえ母親の戸惑いや拒絶反応を描き切れなかったのか、乳母が面倒を見る当時の習慣で母親の姿を不要と考えたのか。
父親の母校イェールで新入生登録係から疑われ、在校生に罵詈雑言を浴びせられて追い返される悲劇に見舞われたベンジャミンに、やがて＜青春のときめき＞が訪れる。地元ボルティモアでの仮装舞踏会で運命の女性ヒルデガードに出会ったのだ。
「細身で可憐な娘。その髪は月の光に蒼ざめ、ポーチで爆ぜるガス燈の灯を受けるとハチミツ色に輝いて見えた。黒い蝶柄の柔らかそうな黄色いスペイン製スカーフがその娘の肩口まで覆い、その足先にはスカートの縁飾りのボタンが煌いていた。」
父親をベンジャミンの兄弟だと勘違いしているヒルデガードは「年配の男性の方が好ましいですわ。大学でどれだけシャンパンを飲んだとか、やれカードの賭け事で大金を摩ったとかを得意気に話す若い人は阿呆だとしか思えませんもの。」と語る率直な娘だった。イェールでの苦い屈辱の経験から彼女の誤解を解くのをベンジャミンは躊躇った。
ヒルデガードに恋をした彼は夢見心地でダンスを楽しんだあと、「金槌と釘の次に着目すべき商品は何だと思う？」との父親からの問いに、「それはＬｏｖｅ(愛)です。」と上の空で答えて、「Ｌｕｇｓ(取っ手)だって？！」と父親を呆れ返させるこのやり取りがとても面白い。
最愛の女性を伴侶に迎えビジネスに邁進したベンジャミンは、ハーバードを卒業した息子ロスコーに家業(銃鉄器卸売店)を譲るが、若返って元気一杯。米西戦争に際して入隊し、大尉から少佐を経て中佐にまで昇進したり、自らもハーバードに入学し、フットボールの試合で憎っきイェールの選手たちをフィールドで薙ぎ倒し一人で七つのタッチダウンを奪う大活躍を見せたりするところは「フォレスト・ガンプ」の主人公を彷彿とさせ楽しめる。
逆回転の人生を辿ろうが、人はいつか死ぬ定めだから、得たもの(家族との思い出など)と失ったもの(別の選択肢での可能性)との帳尻がプラスである限り幸せなんだ。単純にして深遠なこんな人生哲学を本書から学び得た気がする。
2 人中、1人の方が、｢このレビューが参考になった｣と投票しています。
形式:ペーパーバック
『グレート・ギャツビー』ほか、最近では村上春樹さんや小川高義さんの翻訳で（原書で読むのは２冊目）フィッツジェラルドさんの作品に親しんできた者としては、へえ、こんな作品も書いていたのかと驚かされました。ジャズ・エイジのきらめきと悲しさを本領とする作家だと思っていたので、小品ながらこのSF的な発想には、やはり物語作家としての才能が豊かにあった人なのだなあ、と。
英語は読みやすく、長くないので、せっかくだから原書で楽しみたいという方にはお薦めです。
英語は読みやすく、長くないので、せっかくだから原書で楽しみたいという方にはお薦めです。
Amazon.com で最も参考になったカスタマーレビュー (beta)
Amazon.com:
56件のカスタマーレビュー
56 人中、54人の方が、｢このレビューが参考になった｣と投票しています。
My curiosity was satisfied with this rather peculiar tale...
2008/10/18
I am not a huge fan of short stories, because it never fails that by the time I find myself invested in them I have reached the last page. Same can be said for `The Curious Case of Benjamin Button', a rather delightful little story that is engaging, interesting and very rewarding. Yes, this is a short story, so I'm going to say this straight off; you may not want to invest your money in this version. I actually purchased another version from Amazon that has a few short stories for less money, so try you hand at that collection instead of this singular novel.
But, I wanted to take the time to review the story, because that's what these reviews are all about right, the work itself and not the packaging.
`The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' is a peculiar tale of a man born at the end of his life and has the rare opportunity of growing young, living his life in reverse as it were. F. Scott Fitzgerald states at the beginning of this story that it was inspired by a statement made by Mark Twain, that the best things in life happen at the beginning and the worst at the end. With `The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' Fitzgerald plays the cynic, exploring how living life in reverse can be seemingly beneficial yet ultimately devastating.
Benjamin is born a brittle old man with a cane (not literally, but he needs one) and a full mind, and as the year's progress his relationships with those around him shift for various reasons. First he is at odds with his devastated parents who are ashamed of him, but as he grows to meet his father in age they become like brothers. He meets and falls in love with the young Hildegarde, who is attracted to the `older' Benjamin, only to marry her, grow younger than her, and drift apart from her. He takes over his fathers business and prospers because of his newfound energy, yet his youth begins to destroy him as his own son becomes his elder and is thus ashamed of the very sight of his father.
There is a moment within `The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' where the elderly Benjamin (in mind, not in physicality) is attending kindergarten and is lamenting over the fact that the other children can talk about what they want to be when they grow up, a prospect that Benjamin will never see.
This to me captures the very point of this story.
Yes, this is a short story of a few pages and it moves rather quickly through Benjamin's life, but it is also written with such rich detail that one never feels jaded. I do wish that this had been written as a full length novel, for it surely has the potential to be one of the most refreshing and moving pieces of literature ever written. It is wildly original (although Fitzgerald himself has mentioned that he has read this prose elsewhere) and it is absurdly poignant. Yes, `The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' has such a deep-rooted importance, for when you strip away the preposterousness of the prose there is a moral that is so humanly real we can feel it in the very pit of us.
We have all heard the phrase `the grass is greener on the other side' and this novel is the perfect answer back to that statement, for it proves that we shouldn't always be wishing for something we don't quite understand, because once we have it we may realize it is far from desired.
But, I wanted to take the time to review the story, because that's what these reviews are all about right, the work itself and not the packaging.
`The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' is a peculiar tale of a man born at the end of his life and has the rare opportunity of growing young, living his life in reverse as it were. F. Scott Fitzgerald states at the beginning of this story that it was inspired by a statement made by Mark Twain, that the best things in life happen at the beginning and the worst at the end. With `The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' Fitzgerald plays the cynic, exploring how living life in reverse can be seemingly beneficial yet ultimately devastating.
Benjamin is born a brittle old man with a cane (not literally, but he needs one) and a full mind, and as the year's progress his relationships with those around him shift for various reasons. First he is at odds with his devastated parents who are ashamed of him, but as he grows to meet his father in age they become like brothers. He meets and falls in love with the young Hildegarde, who is attracted to the `older' Benjamin, only to marry her, grow younger than her, and drift apart from her. He takes over his fathers business and prospers because of his newfound energy, yet his youth begins to destroy him as his own son becomes his elder and is thus ashamed of the very sight of his father.
There is a moment within `The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' where the elderly Benjamin (in mind, not in physicality) is attending kindergarten and is lamenting over the fact that the other children can talk about what they want to be when they grow up, a prospect that Benjamin will never see.
This to me captures the very point of this story.
Yes, this is a short story of a few pages and it moves rather quickly through Benjamin's life, but it is also written with such rich detail that one never feels jaded. I do wish that this had been written as a full length novel, for it surely has the potential to be one of the most refreshing and moving pieces of literature ever written. It is wildly original (although Fitzgerald himself has mentioned that he has read this prose elsewhere) and it is absurdly poignant. Yes, `The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' has such a deep-rooted importance, for when you strip away the preposterousness of the prose there is a moral that is so humanly real we can feel it in the very pit of us.
We have all heard the phrase `the grass is greener on the other side' and this novel is the perfect answer back to that statement, for it proves that we shouldn't always be wishing for something we don't quite understand, because once we have it we may realize it is far from desired.
28 人中、25人の方が、｢このレビューが参考になった｣と投票しています。
A wonderful and unique story by F. Scott Fitzgerald
2008/11/20
Normally I don't re-read books, but I've read this one about 4 times now, and I liked it more each time. And it's short, so it's a pretty fast read, and keeps your attention focused from beginning to end. Fitzgerald has such an amazing mastery of imagery and dialogue - reading this book is like watching a mini movie in your head. It's also a unique story in that it's very humorous, but also kind of sad. The two don't normally go together so well. I can't wait to see the movie they're making based on it! It will be interesting to compare their similarities and differences.
This copy (clock on cover & ISBN 1603550836) is a nice trade paperback sized book, not the smaller mass market paperback size you see in romance novels and cheaper paperbacks. It is thin, since it's a short story, but I was very pleased with the quality, and think it will make a great little present/stocking stuffer for my friends. I feel more confident giving a small book like this than a 500 page novel because I've always felt that with people being so busy, they may be hesitant to start a large novel. I also think since the movie opens on Christmas, they will love having a copy of the book to read around the same time.
This copy (clock on cover & ISBN 1603550836) is a nice trade paperback sized book, not the smaller mass market paperback size you see in romance novels and cheaper paperbacks. It is thin, since it's a short story, but I was very pleased with the quality, and think it will make a great little present/stocking stuffer for my friends. I feel more confident giving a small book like this than a 500 page novel because I've always felt that with people being so busy, they may be hesitant to start a large novel. I also think since the movie opens on Christmas, they will love having a copy of the book to read around the same time.
14 人中、13人の方が、｢このレビューが参考になった｣と投票しています。
GREAT STORY, GREAT MOVIE
2008/12/29
I read this story before seeing the movie starring Brad Pitt. The story is great and worth reading. It is only 20+ pages, but really interesting. I saw the movie yesterday, and highly recommend the movie. The movie has taken some liberties from the book, but still excellent. Movies are always a little different from the book. I recommend you read this story before seeing the movie.
I gave the book to my 19 year old son to read, and he enjoyed it too. We went to the movie together, and both enjoyed the movie. It was a nice mother/son date. I am an avid reader, but my son normally only reads for school or Harry Potter books, so it was nice that he enjoyed this story too, and wanted to see the movie with his mother. Pick up the book and share it with your family, you might be surprised how much they enjoy reading it too.
I gave the book to my 19 year old son to read, and he enjoyed it too. We went to the movie together, and both enjoyed the movie. It was a nice mother/son date. I am an avid reader, but my son normally only reads for school or Harry Potter books, so it was nice that he enjoyed this story too, and wanted to see the movie with his mother. Pick up the book and share it with your family, you might be surprised how much they enjoy reading it too.
これらのレビューは参考になりましたか？
ご意見はクチコミでお聞かせください。
リストマニア
関連商品を探す
- 洋書 > Entertainment > Movies > Screenplays
- 洋書 > Entertainment > Performing Arts
- 洋書 > Literature & Fiction > Classics
- 洋書 > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Movie Tie-Ins
- 洋書 > Literature & Fiction > Literary
- 洋書 > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > United States
- 洋書 > Special Features > By Authors > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( F ) > Fitzgerald, F. Scott
- 洋書 > Special Features > all foreign books
同じキーワードの商品を探す
フィードバック
- カタログ情報、または画像について報告
- 著者からのコメント
- 出版社からのコメント
