dannothedino's review
- 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
Graphic: Gaslighting, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Racism, Misogyny, Classism, Murder, Alcohol, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racial slurs, Death, Cursing, Gun violence, and Blood
Minor: Drug use, Dysphoria, and Colonisation
fangirlsread's review
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I don't however feel that Gatsby works as a YA age group. Tom is 21; Gatsby, Daisy, and Jordan are 18; and Nick is 17. The crazy amount of wealth Gatsby generates and the required age adjustments for Gatsby to have served in the war didn't really work for me, and it felt forced. I did like some adjustments (Myrtle had brothers rather than a husband, Daisy and Tom being engaged to be engaged), but the age always felt like a sticking point for me in most plot points.
I do like the brand new aspects, in particular the pearl necklace storyline and the intrigue around that. I also like that our core characters have a happy ending.
The book is mainly concerned with Nick's identities (trans and Latino) and how that intersects with the people he interacts with. He often thinks the phrase "boys like me" or "boys like us", and he is hyperaware of how he is not welcome in spaces or the joy of finding himself welcomed in places, particularly with Daisy passing as white. This really dominated the text for me in a way that seemed circular rather than progressive (moving Nick's character forward), but he is also only 17 and in a historically dangerous space for him. I also know this book is really going to speak to a certain reader, and just because the book didn't sing for me doesn't mean it won't sing for them.
Graphic: Racism and Homophobia
bookishdreamer's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Racism and Classism
avacadosocks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Racism
Minor: Gun violence and War
jadorelecafe's review
Graphic: Racism and Infidelity
nefariousbee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Classism, Racism, Gaslighting, and Infidelity
Moderate: Homophobia and Gun violence
20sidedbi's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Homophobia, Classism, and Lesbophobia
thecharnelraven's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Transphobia
micaelacccc's review
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: War
kitausu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, Alcohol, Classism, and Racism