The Failure That Became An Icon

F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece was a commercial disaster during his lifetime. The book sold poorly and critics dismissed it, leaving the author convinced he was a failure before he died in obscurity.

Today, we view this story as the definitive portrait of the Jazz Age, but it was once considered a minor work. It only gained massive popularity during World War II when thousands of free copies were distributed to American soldiers. The troops loved the story, finally launching it into the cultural stratosphere. It serves as a reminder that even the greatest art often struggles to find its audience at first.