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ninegladiolus 's review for:
The Chosen and the Beautiful
by Nghi Vo
emotional
reflective
slow-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
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo re-imagines F. Scott Fitzgerarld’s The Great Gatsby in an inspiring, innovative, way. With subversion of the glamourization of the 1920s, rich and sultry prose, magic seamlessly inserted into the narrative, and lots of implicit queerness woven throughout, this was a highly enjoyable read that became one of my favourites of the year.
Jordan Baker, a queer Vietnamese immigrant, serves as the protagonist of Vo’s retelling. Through her perspective we get a new lens to address broad themes of sexuality, racism, sexism, and identity. While the plot adheres close to the original (close enough it would be beneficial to have an understanding of it first to appreciate the craft applied), the introduction of fantastical elements adds an evocative sense of wonder.
It’s hard for me to describe why I enjoyed this novel so much; it’s a story that will definitely get—and benefit from—a re-read for me. Part of it is definitely enjoying the deft examination of one of my favourite classics, because there’s a lot to unpack in the source material, which the author does with aplomb. This novel doesn’t answer all your questions and it can be slow paced at times, but that was part of the charm for me.
In short, The Chosen and the Beautiful is an atmospheric gem of a novel, full of magical realism and best savoured in deliberate bites rather than rushed through. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a wonderful blend of subverted modernist literature in a fantastical setting.
Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Jordan Baker, a queer Vietnamese immigrant, serves as the protagonist of Vo’s retelling. Through her perspective we get a new lens to address broad themes of sexuality, racism, sexism, and identity. While the plot adheres close to the original (close enough it would be beneficial to have an understanding of it first to appreciate the craft applied), the introduction of fantastical elements adds an evocative sense of wonder.
It’s hard for me to describe why I enjoyed this novel so much; it’s a story that will definitely get—and benefit from—a re-read for me. Part of it is definitely enjoying the deft examination of one of my favourite classics, because there’s a lot to unpack in the source material, which the author does with aplomb. This novel doesn’t answer all your questions and it can be slow paced at times, but that was part of the charm for me.
In short, The Chosen and the Beautiful is an atmospheric gem of a novel, full of magical realism and best savoured in deliberate bites rather than rushed through. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a wonderful blend of subverted modernist literature in a fantastical setting.
Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.