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About The Book
When a beloved actress is cast in a feminist adaptation of a Fitzgerald classic, she finds herself the victim in a deadly game of revenge in which everyone, on screen and off, is playing a part.
“Cunningly ambitious, twisty, and immersive, it seduces you into a story so compelling that you aren’t ready for the sucker-punch of its deeper truths. This is a hell of a debut.” —Rebecca Makkai
Lila Crayne is America’s sweetheart: she’s generous and kind, gorgeous and magnetic. She and her fiancé, visionary filmmaker Kurt Royall, have settled into a stunning new West Village apartment and are set to begin filming their feminist adaptation of Fitzgerald’s Tender Is the Night.
To prepare for the leading role, Lila begins working with charming and accomplished therapist Jonah Gabriel to dig into the trauma of her past. Soon, Lila’s impeccably manicured life begins to unravel on the therapy couch—and Jonah is just the man to pick up the pieces. But everyone has a secret, and no one is quite who they seem.
A twisty, thought-provoking novel of construction and deconstruction in conversation with the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and told through the lens of the film industry, Sweet Fury is an incisive and bold critique of America’s deep-rooted misogyny. With this novel, Bischoff examines the narratives we tell ourselves, and what happens when we co-opt others into those stories; and she probes the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator and the true meaning of justice.
“Cunningly ambitious, twisty, and immersive, it seduces you into a story so compelling that you aren’t ready for the sucker-punch of its deeper truths. This is a hell of a debut.” —Rebecca Makkai
Lila Crayne is America’s sweetheart: she’s generous and kind, gorgeous and magnetic. She and her fiancé, visionary filmmaker Kurt Royall, have settled into a stunning new West Village apartment and are set to begin filming their feminist adaptation of Fitzgerald’s Tender Is the Night.
To prepare for the leading role, Lila begins working with charming and accomplished therapist Jonah Gabriel to dig into the trauma of her past. Soon, Lila’s impeccably manicured life begins to unravel on the therapy couch—and Jonah is just the man to pick up the pieces. But everyone has a secret, and no one is quite who they seem.
A twisty, thought-provoking novel of construction and deconstruction in conversation with the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and told through the lens of the film industry, Sweet Fury is an incisive and bold critique of America’s deep-rooted misogyny. With this novel, Bischoff examines the narratives we tell ourselves, and what happens when we co-opt others into those stories; and she probes the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator and the true meaning of justice.
Reading Group Guide
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1. The author’s note mentions that Sweet Fury is in conversation with the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Did you notice any Easter eggs or parallels to Fitzgerald’s writing? How do these add depth to the story?
2. The three generations of women represented in Sweet Fury bring radically different interpretations of feminism to the story. How would you define a true feminist? In your eyes, are any of the characters in the novel true feminists?
3. What do you think Sash Bischoff was saying about gender dynamics in the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald? How do you think his books would be received if they were published today?
4. The feminist reimagining of Tender Is the Night plays a central role in the story. How does Lila’s interpretation of Nicole Diver’s journey mirror her own struggles and aspirations? How does the novel depict the relationship between trauma and artistic expression?
5. Did Jonah’s character arc surprise you? Were there moments of foreshadowing that clued you in to the way his narrative might unfold?
6. The novel explores various power dynamics, from Lila’s professional relationships to her romantic entanglements. How do these dynamics evolve throughout the story?
7. How do the themes of public versus private personas play out in the novel, particularly for characters in the entertainment industry?
8. What do you think the book is saying about the #metoo movement and the nature of justice? Can justice ever really be achieved in the aftermath of sexual violence? In your opinion, at what point do Lila’s methods in her own pursuit of justice cross the line past permissibility?
9. If you’ve finished the novel, do you feel the ending provided closure for Lila? For any of the characters?
10. Did Lila’s attempts to balance career ambition with her truth inspire any reflection on times in your own life when your motivations got messy?
2. The three generations of women represented in Sweet Fury bring radically different interpretations of feminism to the story. How would you define a true feminist? In your eyes, are any of the characters in the novel true feminists?
3. What do you think Sash Bischoff was saying about gender dynamics in the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald? How do you think his books would be received if they were published today?
4. The feminist reimagining of Tender Is the Night plays a central role in the story. How does Lila’s interpretation of Nicole Diver’s journey mirror her own struggles and aspirations? How does the novel depict the relationship between trauma and artistic expression?
5. Did Jonah’s character arc surprise you? Were there moments of foreshadowing that clued you in to the way his narrative might unfold?
6. The novel explores various power dynamics, from Lila’s professional relationships to her romantic entanglements. How do these dynamics evolve throughout the story?
7. How do the themes of public versus private personas play out in the novel, particularly for characters in the entertainment industry?
8. What do you think the book is saying about the #metoo movement and the nature of justice? Can justice ever really be achieved in the aftermath of sexual violence? In your opinion, at what point do Lila’s methods in her own pursuit of justice cross the line past permissibility?
9. If you’ve finished the novel, do you feel the ending provided closure for Lila? For any of the characters?
10. Did Lila’s attempts to balance career ambition with her truth inspire any reflection on times in your own life when your motivations got messy?
About The Author
Photograph by Beowulf Sheehan
Sash Bischoff is a writer and theater director. She has written plays that have been developed at theaters throughout the US. As a director, she has worked on Broadway and off. Broadway/National Tours include Dear Evan Hansen, The Visit, On the Town, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Shrek. Sash grew up as an actor and won the National Arts Award (NFAA) for Acting. She currently lives in New York with her husband and their many pets. Sweet Fury is her first novel.
About The Reader
Photograph by Beowulf Sheehan
Sash Bischoff is a writer and theater director. She has written plays that have been developed at theaters throughout the US. As a director, she has worked on Broadway and off. Broadway/National Tours include Dear Evan Hansen, The Visit, On the Town, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Shrek. Sash grew up as an actor and won the National Arts Award (NFAA) for Acting. She currently lives in New York with her husband and their many pets. Sweet Fury is her first novel.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (January 7, 2025)
- Runtime: 9 hours and 31 minutes
- ISBN13: 9781797189123
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Raves and Reviews
"A feminist film script of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s TENDER IS THE NIGHT, about a psychiatrist and his unstable wife, plays a large part in Bischoff’s latest work, narrated by the author. Hollywood star Lila Crayne will play the wife; her husband, Kurt, is the director. Lila seeks help from therapist Dr. Jonah Gabriel regarding her character development. Bishchoff infuses Dr. Gabriel with calm control even though it’s a conflict of interest for him to take Lila on as a client because he’s carried a torch for her since their college days. During their sessions, Bishchoff believably portrays the distraught Lila as she describes real-life spousal abuse by her husband. Adding to the drama is Bischoff’s portrayal of the animosity Lila’s mother feels toward her son-in-law."
– AudioFile Magazine
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- Book Cover Image (jpg): Sweet Fury Unabridged Audio Download 9781797189123
- Author Photo (jpg): Sash Bischoff Photograph by Beowulf Sheehan(0.1 MB)
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