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A review by lou_mac
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Do you love the world of the Great Gatsby but find Nick and insufferable narrator?
Did you wonder quite how Gatsby was throwing these parties?
And what of the roaring 20s beyond the selfishness of Daisy and Tom's world?
Then this book is for you.
Jordan Baker takes the role as narrator, and in this telling she is Vietnamese, queer and able to tell us about the magic in the world. I loved seeing the story from a fresh perspective, and getting some world building beyond parties and affairs. If the Great Gatsby is about the American dream, then the chosen and the beautiful unpacks who you have to be to have access to the opportunity.
The magic of this book for the most part felt like coded "living alternatively" messages, and I could have done with a little more background of certain elements of it -but at no point did I feel it didn't make sense. And I loved that this book didn't make Daisy too sympathetic, but did give me something more to like about Nick.
I'll definitely read this book again, and I think it is one where I'll get something different on a re-read, which is always a delight.
Did you wonder quite how Gatsby was throwing these parties?
And what of the roaring 20s beyond the selfishness of Daisy and Tom's world?
Then this book is for you.
Jordan Baker takes the role as narrator, and in this telling she is Vietnamese, queer and able to tell us about the magic in the world. I loved seeing the story from a fresh perspective, and getting some world building beyond parties and affairs. If the Great Gatsby is about the American dream, then the chosen and the beautiful unpacks who you have to be to have access to the opportunity.
The magic of this book for the most part felt like coded "living alternatively" messages, and I could have done with a little more background of certain elements of it -but at no point did I feel it didn't make sense. And I loved that this book didn't make Daisy too sympathetic, but did give me something more to like about Nick.
I'll definitely read this book again, and I think it is one where I'll get something different on a re-read, which is always a delight.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Racism