This Side of Paradise

The novel follows the life of Amory Blaine a young man who grows up in a wealthy family and attends Princeton University in the early 20th century. The story explores Amorys struggles with his identity and his place in the world as well as his romantic relationships and his involvement in the intellectual and cultural scene of the time. The novel is divided into three parts each representing a different stage of Amorys life. The first part describes his childhood and adolescent years his early romances and his experiences at Princeton. The second part follows Amory as he moves to New York City and becomes involved in the artistic and literary circles of the time. The final part of the novel sees Amory returning to Princeton and reconciling himself to the realities of adult life.