Reviews tagging 'Racial slurs'

Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore

21 reviews

rookthomas's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful 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

Having just come off reading the original, I'm not quite sure what I was expecting from this retelling--but it gave that an more. The writing was splendid and the characters were engaging and endearing (and at times relatably oblivious). The plot was similar enough that it didn't feel entirely removed from the world of the original, but different enough that it wasn't like rereading the classic but with a more diverse cast this time. I couldn’t put it down!!
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mirandyli's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This was a cute retelling of the Great Gatsby with queer and trans main characters. Sort of slow at times and not as good as the other books in this series. 
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ktv's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

on the nose in some parts and thats saying a lot coming from me. but overall a fun read. reads like/has the same voice as cemetery boys by aiden thomas
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pobi's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.5

SO GOOD AND FUN! If I get in a reading slump I may turn to this book again cause I just know it could cure it. 175% better than the original Great Gatsby. Both an easy read and deals with complex issues of race and class and gender. ALSO very sweet lil romances for all
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jess_always_reading's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I absolutely loved this one, having never read The Great Gatsby, the characters and story were completely new and very intriguing. That being said, it seems as though, like others in this series, it might not follow the original too closely. 

McLemore has crafted a wonderfully queer story with complex characters who reflect diverse identifies. Interrogating this shiny happy world of the 1920s white socialites the book adds a refreshing dimension to the story. While the writing falls into purple prose a bit here and there, it feels true to the writing style of the time. 
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rory_john14's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective 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? Yes

3.5

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imandubose's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.5

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icmcmx's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

5.0

Fantastic read, would recommend anyone who's ever read the original and thought "nick's kinda gay". 

Where it could have been silly (and I was expecting a little silliness) it was insightful, well thought-out and it made me love characters I've disliked for years. 

TW ; it's set in the 1920's , so some racism and queerphobia present, mentioned on the coverpage too. 

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dannothedino's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.5

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percys_panda_pillow_pet's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

I was SO excited when I heard that Anna-Marie McLemore wrote a Great Gatsby reimagining. Ever since I read their book When The Moon Was Ours, I was an immediate fan of the author. I think they were the perfect person to reimagine The Great Gatsby as they have an impeccable sense of language and symbolism, as well as I just love the idea of a queer author making this classic into the queer story many have always thought it was.

Now, I will be honest and say I wasn't a big fan of the original book by Fitzgerald. In addition to some bad experiences in school when I read it, I also felt like the characters were flat and unlikable, and the story boring and outdated. Now, of course, there can be many arguments that Fitzgerald purposefully wrote it this way, especially with the characters, but I am not here to critique the original story, just adding context for this review. 

Self-Made Boys takes everything I disliked about The Great Gatsby and makes them great and unique. The characters were much more likable, even Daisy, who in both versions rides the line between terrible/annoying and sympathetic. I personally enjoy reading likable characters more than unlikable usually, so this was a huge plus for me. As well, the characters just felt more real, fleshed-out, and down to earth. Instead of just acting as caricatures for Fitzgerald to use as vehicles for his main message, they actually felt like they had their own wills and purposes in the narrative, especially Nick who easily could've been relegated back to the simple self-insert for the reader that he was in the original. 

With these well-rounded characters, I felt much more invested in their lives and the outcome of each situation they found themselves in. I didn't even remember Jordan from the original and I don't know if Martha existed, but I loved the addition of more female characters. It was so easy to get connected to each character and the story was so much more rich and compelling for me. 

The unique elements Anna-Marie McLemore added to the story, from their heritage as a Latine person to their queer identity, really made this book perfect for me. There is something to be said about using personal experience in a novel that really fleshes things out in a way no one else could. McLemore is a fantastic author who knows how to write very well, and I couldn't find a single mistake in this book when I tried. I'm glad to give this book the 5 stars it deserves. 
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