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jenhurst's review against another edition
4.0
I’m easy to please. Great Gatsby, giant parties, retelling sans beautiful writing is everything I need in a book.
Plus this involves Asian rep, which is lacking in classics.
Plus this involves Asian rep, which is lacking in classics.
mxunsmiley's review against another edition
Jordan Baker was always my favorite character in The Great Gatsby, a novel I have mixed feelings about--at one point I loved it, then read it again--hated it. So I thought a retelling with Jordan as the narrator, Asian and bisexual, would be a lot more interesting, and in many ways it was, though it missed the mark for me in many other ways.
The magical aspect of it, I thought, was underused and a bit out of the blue in most passages.
The added racial twist on Jordan's character also struck me as a bit of an afterthought. It was woven pretty tightly into the novel, but in the end I thought... how does this change anything, especially when we don't get more insight as to A racial insensitivity I noticed, also, was when
The LGBT content, though, really shone for me. At first I thought the homoeroticism between Gatsby and Nick was a bit of a fanfiction-like projection but I think it worked a lot more toward the end of the novel, with hints in between.
Another aspect of the novel which I loved was the prose. Vo writes really, really well and in a gripping way, I think, especially in the last chapters. Her characterization is also spot-on. It has the same vibes as the original novel. Jordan's character feels perfectly in line with Fitzgerald's original, with deeper insight. She was quite fittingly my favorite part of this novel, as should be expected because it's all about her, of course. All the hints and details to the deeper aspects of her character were so enjoyable to read. I also loved the other characters, too, honestly, especially Daisy, how I really knew all along how manipulative she was but Jordan I could talk forever about Jordan Baker! How Vo captures the way Gatsby is truly pathetic yet grandiose all at the same time was so amazingly well done, too.
I did enjoy this novel a lot, despite my qualms with it. I want to read her other work, too, now.
The magical aspect of it, I thought, was underused and a bit out of the blue in most passages.
Spoiler
The introduction of Khai was intriguing but I didn't think it really went anywhere. The most compelling magical scene was when she ripped a mouth out of the eyes of T.J. Eckleberg, creating that literal personification. That was one of my favorite scenes in the novel.The added racial twist on Jordan's character also struck me as a bit of an afterthought. It was woven pretty tightly into the novel, but in the end I thought... how does this change anything, especially when we don't get more insight as to
Spoiler
the way Eliza Baker essentially stole Jordan from her parents? It's a pretty big revelation (though not surprising)! Then thinking about how we don't really see much of Khai and co., who I found the most interesting in this twist retelling of Gatsby, I thought Vo could have done a lot more.Spoiler
Jordan remarked on Gatsby's nonwhite, specifically Native and Black, ancestry while, in the same breath, talked about his sin and sorcery.The LGBT content, though, really shone for me. At first I thought the homoeroticism between Gatsby and Nick was a bit of a fanfiction-like projection but I think it worked a lot more toward the end of the novel, with hints in between.
Spoiler
The implications that Jordan was in love with Daisy were very well written as well.Another aspect of the novel which I loved was the prose. Vo writes really, really well and in a gripping way, I think, especially in the last chapters. Her characterization is also spot-on. It has the same vibes as the original novel. Jordan's character feels perfectly in line with Fitzgerald's original, with deeper insight. She was quite fittingly my favorite part of this novel, as should be expected because it's all about her, of course. All the hints and details to the deeper aspects of her character were so enjoyable to read. I also loved the other characters, too, honestly, especially Daisy, how I really knew all along how manipulative she was but Jordan
Spoiler
was honestly too in love with her to admit or see it. It kind of broke my heart when, toward the end, Jordan had her own heart broken by two people at the same time, because of how vulnerable she truly is, even when she tries to conceal it.I did enjoy this novel a lot, despite my qualms with it. I want to read her other work, too, now.
aplpaca's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, Alcohol, Abortion, Classism, Sexism, and Sexual content
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
To be completely honest I didn't read synopsis I just saw beautiful cover and go with it. This is book is beautiful written but it is for fans of The Great Gatsby which I'm not.
To be completely honest I didn't read synopsis I just saw beautiful cover and go with it. This is book is beautiful written but it is for fans of The Great Gatsby which I'm not.
suchacommotion's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The whole plot was SO MESSY and the pacing was all over the place. 90% of the cohesion came from the fact that I’ve read the Great Gatsby before. Vho had some incredible, fantastic ideas but ultimately never explained or went anywhere with them. I’m so disappointed in this book, I had such high hopes.
maisilu24's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
i really wanted to enjoy this more than i ultimately did, but this great gatsby retelling centered around a queer asian adoptee (!!) missed the mark for me
readcharlotte's review against another edition
4.0
This was never going to get low marks from me. I still love The Great Gatsby every time I reread it, and I liked this book. I’m a Gatsby apologist, so some choices I didn’t love, but overall I really enjoyed this!
aneggy's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
anniesaur's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
It may have its problems but The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite 20th century classics. So, when I heard a new retelling of Great Gatsby was being published with an LGBTQ+ and Asian-American spin, I was THERE. It's the 1920's and Jordan Baker runs with a glamorous and wealthy crowd. As the adopted daughter of a connected family she has her way into society and the party circuit that she otherwise would be excluded from as an LGBTQ Asian woman. Even though she is allowed to join this crowd she is never quite fully accepted due to her Vietnamese background. Jordan is best friends with Daisy Buchanan and a companion of Nick. Through Jordan's eyes we see a different side of the story told in Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Jordan also has the mystical ability to spark flames from paper.
I really enjoyed this one and don't think that you need to be a Great Gatsby fan girl to like this one. Nghi Vo did a great job inserting an #ownvoices POV into a classic well known story. There is also a twist of fantasy in the tale to make it that much more impactful. The writing was lovely and I am definitely going to check out more of Vo's writing.
(I am finally getting caught up on my reviews since the end of school year craziness is wrapping up!)
Thank you to the publisher for the audiobook!
I really enjoyed this one and don't think that you need to be a Great Gatsby fan girl to like this one. Nghi Vo did a great job inserting an #ownvoices POV into a classic well known story. There is also a twist of fantasy in the tale to make it that much more impactful. The writing was lovely and I am definitely going to check out more of Vo's writing.
(I am finally getting caught up on my reviews since the end of school year craziness is wrapping up!)
Thank you to the publisher for the audiobook!