A review by hailstorm3812
Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore

hopeful tense 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? It's complicated

3.5

My feelings on this book are complicated. Because on one hand it's quite simplistic and very YA in a way that made it very frustrating to read, especially in the beginning. It dumbs down a lot from the Great Gatsby while somehow being longer and doesn't seem to really want to be in conversation with it in a way that made me wish it was just an original story. On the other hand it's fun. It's queer, set in the 20's and has just a bonkers ending. I absolutely loved the exploration of Daisy in this book in a way that made me wish it was her book. I spend the first half of the book thinking the narrative would work better if she was a lesbian, which I was appeased with the twist though I would have liked it to be set up more. I liked the different explorations of passing in regards to race, gender, and sexuality. I also really liked the author's note at the end which I think clarified a lot of the goals that didn't exactly come through for me but are worthy pursuits.
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