Scan barcode
A review by lktx
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Great Gatsby is my favorite classic, so I read The Chosen and The Beautiful with part joy and part trepidation. It exceeded my expectations and I thought a lovely interpretation of the characters, giving a different perspective of what unfolded that summer, and it felt true to the original source. The Chosen and The Beautiful is from Jordan Baker's point of view.
The Chosen explores Jordan growing up in Louisville as the adopted daughter of the Louisville Bakers, taken from Vietnam as a young child; her friendship with Daisy Fay Buchanan; her relationship with Nick Carraway; her queerness and complicated feelings about relationships; and of course, Gatsby. There's the addition of magic, pacts with hell, and a drink called demoniac, outlawed just like alcohol. It follows the summer of Gatsby, and the scenes from the original source show up in the right places, but fills in the gaps of what Nick either doesn't see or doesn't want to tell. The events are, thankfully, predictable for anyone who knows The Great Gatsby well, but the rest of it is a delightful take, and it has a surprisingly uplifting ending.
I listened the audiobook and the narrator, Natalie Naudus, was fantastic. I loved the voice she used for Jordan. It was slightly different from her standard narration voice, but it made Jordan's character and the face she put on for everyone--including herself sometimes--feel quite real.
Pros:
- Jordan was a delightful narrator and writing her as an adopted daughter brought from Vietnam was an interesting perspective that allowed the author to explore a new side of the character.
- Well developed characters, especially Daisy, who though not the protagonist is the hingepin in all the characters lives. Gatsby also felt true to who he was, just from a different perspevtive.
- The magic and fantastic world building was interesting and I liked the alternate history that was developing.
- Did not see the reveal at the end coming.
Cons:
- At times a little too racy, though it seemed to fit Jordan's character.
- The addition of the Vietnamese paper-cutting troupe felt rushed as that arc started around 60%. I wished there'd been a little more there.
- Jordan is a well-known golf player and there were mentions of her playing, but rarely. She felt like a socialite. I would have liked more of the golf.
- Not a con, persay, but the end is surprisingly uplifting for what a tragedy The Great Gatsby is.
The Chosen explores Jordan growing up in Louisville as the adopted daughter of the Louisville Bakers, taken from Vietnam as a young child; her friendship with Daisy Fay Buchanan; her relationship with Nick Carraway; her queerness and complicated feelings about relationships; and of course, Gatsby. There's the addition of magic, pacts with hell, and a drink called demoniac, outlawed just like alcohol. It follows the summer of Gatsby, and the scenes from the original source show up in the right places, but fills in the gaps of what Nick either doesn't see or doesn't want to tell. The events are, thankfully, predictable for anyone who knows The Great Gatsby well, but the rest of it is a delightful take, and it has a surprisingly uplifting ending.
I listened the audiobook and the narrator, Natalie Naudus, was fantastic. I loved the voice she used for Jordan. It was slightly different from her standard narration voice, but it made Jordan's character and the face she put on for everyone--including herself sometimes--feel quite real.
Pros:
- Jordan was a delightful narrator and writing her as an adopted daughter brought from Vietnam was an interesting perspective that allowed the author to explore a new side of the character.
- Well developed characters, especially Daisy, who though not the protagonist is the hingepin in all the characters lives. Gatsby also felt true to who he was, just from a different perspevtive.
- The magic and fantastic world building was interesting and I liked the alternate history that was developing.
- Did not see the reveal at the end coming.
Cons:
- At times a little too racy, though it seemed to fit Jordan's character.
- The addition of the Vietnamese paper-cutting troupe felt rushed as that arc started around 60%. I wished there'd been a little more there.
- Jordan is a well-known golf player and there were mentions of her playing, but rarely. She felt like a socialite. I would have liked more of the golf.
- Not a con, persay, but the end is surprisingly uplifting for what a tragedy The Great Gatsby is.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content