Winter Dreams

It is always fun to read a short novella, especially one written by one of America’s all-time best authors, F Scott Fitzgerald.  The story tells the tale of a man’s realization of the dreams that have passed him as chronicled in Winter Dreams, which can be found in one of Fitzgerald’s short story books.  The story is set in Blackbear, Minnesota during the winter thaw where a young adult, Dexter Green, who serves as one of the best caddies at the local golf course.  Green has spent his winter dreaming about the idea of being the best golfer in the region but reality brings him to the current moment in time, needing cash and being asked to work on the golf course, he quits abruptly. This interesting turn of events leads Dexter to go on to one of the elite “ivy” schools for college and he hits gold (almost literally) by purchasing laundry businesses.  Dexter falls in love with a woman of beauty (Judy) yet she seems unattainable because of her looks, but she has no financial means.  She hurts Dexter, though as the adage goes “we always love the ones who hurt us”… and she does.  She rebuffs his overtures, allows Dexter to get engaged, and then she claims her love (which leads to Dexter’s fiancé to leave him).  Fast forward seven years as Dexter has built his monetary treasures even more to then learn of Judy’s current position in life… married to an abusive man who has many women on the side.  In addition, Judy has lost her beauty.  Through these learnings, Dexter realizes his dreams will not come true and begins to lament on “would could have been,” living out his own “winter dreams”…  What comes around, goes around.  Fitzgerald is adept at capturing the “male dreamer” of his time.  Much like Gatsby, Dexter is a playboy who never lives his dream, he just dreams.  Brilliant author who created the American novel.  Once again, couldn’t put down another one of those Fitzgerald books.  He is the pro’s pro.