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melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to Fierce Reads and Netgalley for an ALC of this one!
Great Gatsby remix with two trans leads? Umm....yes! Written by one of my all time favorite authors, Anna-Marie McLemore? Double yes. Also includes a sapphic relationship??? YES.
I am so happy I was lucky enough to be able to listen to this in advance. I preordered this one way back before it even had a cover because I am a simp for anything McLemore writes. I was not at all disappointed with this one!
Nick and Jay are so perfect. T4T romance and discussions of race and the whole title Self-Made Boys being used for trans boys and everything everything everything about this retelling. The Great Gatsby is one of those books that I absolutely loved reading years ago but looked back on and saw all the problems with it, so it is so incredibly nice to be able to read something that takes so much of what I love from the classic and updates it in a way that is thoughtful and meaningful. McLemore's voice is beautiful and elegant as always, and I also loved the narration of the audio!
Great Gatsby remix with two trans leads? Umm....yes! Written by one of my all time favorite authors, Anna-Marie McLemore? Double yes. Also includes a sapphic relationship??? YES.
I am so happy I was lucky enough to be able to listen to this in advance. I preordered this one way back before it even had a cover because I am a simp for anything McLemore writes. I was not at all disappointed with this one!
Nick and Jay are so perfect. T4T romance and discussions of race and the whole title Self-Made Boys being used for trans boys and everything everything everything about this retelling. The Great Gatsby is one of those books that I absolutely loved reading years ago but looked back on and saw all the problems with it, so it is so incredibly nice to be able to read something that takes so much of what I love from the classic and updates it in a way that is thoughtful and meaningful. McLemore's voice is beautiful and elegant as always, and I also loved the narration of the audio!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Infidelity, Violence, and Homophobia
Minor: Car accident and War
brokenbodybitch's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this remix, I never read the original gatsby, well I tried but never got far, however I saw the newer movie and my partner knows a decent amount about the original so I went in with a fairly base/basic knowledge of the source material.
I really enjoyed the relationships between the main characters and how their friendships/relationships developed/changed/grew over the story, as well as the way the characters queerness presented and grew in the eyes of nicolás and the reader over the course of the book. I adored the ‘self made boys’ bit, and the way the trans experience was explained was relatable and beautiful. Kinda off of that; the writing in this book was really well done and beautiful in my opinion and I loved the way the pov’s were structured to enhance to the story. This was a beautiful ya book with heavy themes of embracing your culture despite what the society around you is saying and be who you are. If classics were like this growing up I can guarantee I would’ve read them all!
I will 100% be getting myself a physical copy of this book and most likely the audiobook as well, so far these remixed classics have been fantastic and I can’t wait to see what else is to come!
Additionally; Avi Roque, and Kyla Garcia narrated the audiobook, they did a fantastic job (I love Avi Roque already) and their narration added to the story so well
Graphic: Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Dysphoria, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Emotional abuse, Injury/injury detail, Racial slurs, War, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Initial thoughts;
I did not plan on feeling this emotional tonight….the way this explains the trans experience in internal dialogue was 🥲
I really enjoyed the relationships between the main characters and how their friendships/relationships developed/changed/grew over the story, as well as the way the characters queerness presented and grew in the eyes of nicolás and the reader over the course of the book. I adored the ‘self made boys’ bit, and the way the trans experience was explained was relatable and beautiful. Kinda off of that; the writing in this book was really well done and beautiful in my opinion and I loved the way the pov’s were structured to enhance to the story. This was a beautiful ya book with heavy themes of embracing your culture despite what the society around you is saying and be who you are. If classics were like this growing up I can guarantee I would’ve read them all!
I will 100% be getting myself a physical copy of this book and most likely the audiobook as well, so far these remixed classics have been fantastic and I can’t wait to see what else is to come!
Additionally; Avi Roque, and Kyla Garcia narrated the audiobook, they did a fantastic job (I love Avi Roque already) and their narration added to the story so well
Graphic: Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Dysphoria, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Emotional abuse, Injury/injury detail, Racial slurs, War, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Initial thoughts;
I did not plan on feeling this emotional tonight….the way this explains the trans experience in internal dialogue was 🥲
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Infidelity, Racism, Toxic relationship, Dysphoria, Lesbophobia, Colonisation, Hate crime, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Murder, Racial slurs, War, and Blood
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
It's New York City in 1922 and Nicolás Caraveo, a trans boy, is making his way there to earn money for his family back in Minnesota. It's also a chance for him to completely re-invent his life as a man. At the encouragement of his cousin Daisy, he takes the leap of faith and rents a house in West Egg.
Nick's neighbor happens to be a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby, known for the elaborate parties he throws. After going to one of Gatsby's parties, Nick learns that they're just to win back Daisy. Nick also learns something else: Jay is also transgender. The two form a friendship, a friendship that eventually evolves into something more for Nick. But will Jay ever reciprocate?
Thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel and Friends for an advanced copy of Self-Made Boys to review! I love Anna-Marie McLemore as a writer, and I was excited to see what they did with the Gatsby story. So happy to say that I wasn't disappointed!
Honestly, I could take it or leave it about The Great Gatsby; read it for school, and it's fine. Not my favorite classic. But let me tell you, McLemore absolutely nails the feel of that book in this one. I read in another review that this isn't so much a Great Gatsby retelling as much as fanfiction. I'd say that's accurate. McLemore took liberties with the story, and I actually appreciated the changes that were made.
At the end of the book, McLemore does explain that they tried to be as historically accurate as possible while also allowing Nick and Jay to be themselves. Their evolving relationship was probably my favorite thing about the book. That and Nick's oblivious nature. There was so much going on under his nose that he didn't even realize. When he finally realizes it, it was great.
Daisy gets a redemption arc in this, too! the explanation for everything at end was just great. They're all supporting each other in a society that wouldn't accept them. And they all deserve their happy endings. One hundred percent.
All in all, if you're excited about diverse re-tellings of classics, definitely pick this one up in September!
Nick's neighbor happens to be a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby, known for the elaborate parties he throws. After going to one of Gatsby's parties, Nick learns that they're just to win back Daisy. Nick also learns something else: Jay is also transgender. The two form a friendship, a friendship that eventually evolves into something more for Nick. But will Jay ever reciprocate?
Thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel and Friends for an advanced copy of Self-Made Boys to review! I love Anna-Marie McLemore as a writer, and I was excited to see what they did with the Gatsby story. So happy to say that I wasn't disappointed!
Honestly, I could take it or leave it about The Great Gatsby; read it for school, and it's fine. Not my favorite classic. But let me tell you, McLemore absolutely nails the feel of that book in this one. I read in another review that this isn't so much a Great Gatsby retelling as much as fanfiction. I'd say that's accurate. McLemore took liberties with the story, and I actually appreciated the changes that were made.
At the end of the book, McLemore does explain that they tried to be as historically accurate as possible while also allowing Nick and Jay to be themselves. Their evolving relationship was probably my favorite thing about the book. That and Nick's oblivious nature. There was so much going on under his nose that he didn't even realize. When he finally realizes it, it was great.
Daisy gets a redemption arc in this, too! the explanation for everything at end was just great. They're all supporting each other in a society that wouldn't accept them. And they all deserve their happy endings. One hundred percent.
All in all, if you're excited about diverse re-tellings of classics, definitely pick this one up in September!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Violence, and Infidelity
Minor: War and Car accident
booksdogsandcoffee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The story captivating and a wonderful reimagining of Gatbsy
The narration was music to my ears
The representation, spot on.
This was as such a phenomenal reimagining of Gatsby. It was a coming of the age story and about embracing your culture and who you are even when white culture tells you not to. The rewording of the “Beautiful little fool” quote was perfection! The reworking of the green glow across the lake was fantastic. I really enjoyed the ending changes it feels like a better ending overall than how the original ends in my opinion. It was just soooooo well done and everything I could want in a reimagining of Gatsby. Please be sure to read the authors note it is just fantastic!
Rep
Trans rep both Gatsby and Nicholas
Latinx rep
Skin lightening of latinx women
Jewish
Sapphic
Cw
Colorism
Transphobia
Classism
Racism
Colonization
Ptsd
gun violence
infidelity
homophobia
Spoiler:
JORDAN AND DASIY TOGETHER GIVES ME LIFE
The narration was music to my ears
The representation, spot on.
This was as such a phenomenal reimagining of Gatsby. It was a coming of the age story and about embracing your culture and who you are even when white culture tells you not to. The rewording of the “Beautiful little fool” quote was perfection! The reworking of the green glow across the lake was fantastic. I really enjoyed the ending changes it feels like a better ending overall than how the original ends in my opinion. It was just soooooo well done and everything I could want in a reimagining of Gatsby. Please be sure to read the authors note it is just fantastic!
Rep
Trans rep both Gatsby and Nicholas
Latinx rep
Skin lightening of latinx women
Jewish
Sapphic
Cw
Colorism
Transphobia
Classism
Racism
Colonization
Ptsd
gun violence
infidelity
homophobia
Spoiler:
JORDAN AND DASIY TOGETHER GIVES ME LIFE
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Lesbophobia, Transphobia, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: War
duckyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
In 1922, Nicolás Caraveo, a 17-year-old Latino transgender boy, moves to New York from Wisconsin to begin a career in Finance to establish a life as a man and pay his family back for all they gave to him. After moving to West Egg to be close to his cousin Daisy Fabrega, Nick is surprised by how much she's changed her identity to fit in with socialites and attract her wealthy beau, Tom. Nick is then invited to an extravagant party in a mansion owned by his neighbor, the elusive Jay Gatsby, and learns that not only is Jay in love with Daisy, but he's also a self-made boy like him.
Self-Made Boys is a delightful remix of The Great Gatsby for any queer person that read the original text in high school. Anna-Marie McLemore creates a reimagined world that includes several elements of the original story but updates it to be more relatable to young adults and teens of today. Daisy is still the same frustrating character, but her letters scattered throughout the book offer a new and welcomed perspective on her actions. The topic of cultural assimilation is handled well in this book, engaging in a thoughtful discussion about erasing aspects of your identity to become more appealing to the white majority and what can be lost in the process. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the acting of the different voice actors. I recommend this to anyone that read The Great Gatsby, and I hope that teachers include this in their English curriculum if they already plan on teaching the original text.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for an audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review.
Self-Made Boys is a delightful remix of The Great Gatsby for any queer person that read the original text in high school. Anna-Marie McLemore creates a reimagined world that includes several elements of the original story but updates it to be more relatable to young adults and teens of today. Daisy is still the same frustrating character, but her letters scattered throughout the book offer a new and welcomed perspective on her actions. The topic of cultural assimilation is handled well in this book, engaging in a thoughtful discussion about erasing aspects of your identity to become more appealing to the white majority and what can be lost in the process. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the acting of the different voice actors. I recommend this to anyone that read The Great Gatsby, and I hope that teachers include this in their English curriculum if they already plan on teaching the original text.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for an audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Racism
Moderate: Homophobia
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