Gatsby's Ghosts: The Real Stories Behind the Novel

What secrets lie beneath the shimmering surface of The Great Gatsby? This podcast excavates the "beauty that’s concealed under the facts", as explored in Sarah Churchwell's Careless People. We unravel the true stories of 1922 New York, from the scandalous Hall-Mills murder case to the glamour and recklessness of the Jazz Age elite. Discover how Fitzgerald reflected and reworked the "myriad stories around him", drawing inspiration from newspapers, gossip, and the changing landscape of American society to craft his timeless tale of illusion and disillusionment.

Journey into the tumultuous world of 1922 that inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece. This podcast delves into the real-life murder, mayhem, and societal shifts that Sarah Churchwell meticulously uncovers in Careless People, revealing the fascinating connections between the Fitzgeralds' lives, the lurid headlines of the Jazz Age, and the enduring legacy of The Great Gatsby. We'll explore gossip, celebrity culture, and the impact of early mass media on Fitzgerald's creation, offering new insights into this iconic American novel.

More than just a novel, The Great Gatsby is a product of its time. This podcast immerses you in the pivotal year of 1922, the "crux of the tale", as detailed in Sarah Churchwell's Careless People. We examine the social life and customs of New York, the impact of Prohibition and the rise of "bootleg kings", and the sensational news stories that captivated the nation, including the infamous Hall-Mills murder. Through the lens of Churchwell's research, we uncover how these "careless people" and the events surrounding them shaped Fitzgerald's vision and gave birth to one of American literature's most enigmatic figures.