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288
Novel • Fiction
New York • 1920s
2021
Adult
18+ years
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo retells Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby from Jordan Baker’s perspective, adding fantasy elements and making Jordan a Vietnamese bisexual woman. She navigates Prohibition-era New York, magical charms, societal racism, and romantic entanglements with Nick, Daisy, and Gatsby, culminating in personal revelations and a journey to Shanghai and Vietnam to explore her heritage. This story discusses racism, sexual aggression, and abortion.
Mysterious
Fantastical
Contemplative
Emotional
Bittersweet
18,128 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Nghi Vo's The Chosen and the Beautiful reimagines Fitzgerald's classic with a fresh, magical twist. Praised for its lush prose and innovative perspective, especially in its depiction of Jordan Baker, the novel excels in atmospheric world-building. Criticisms include a disjointed narrative and occasional pacing issues. Overall, an imaginative and bold retelling.
A reader who would enjoy The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo is likely a fan of richly reimagined classics, magical realism, and diverse narratives. Similar audiences may have appreciated The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, for its Jazz Age glamour, or The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, for its enchanting magic realism.
18,128 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Daisy Fay Buchanan
A Southern Belle and flapper with ties to both traditional values and emerging freedoms, whose beauty and charm captivate those around her.
Jay Gatsby
A mysterious and wealthy man with mixed ethnic origins, using charm and magic to navigate the tangle of secrets and desires in high society.
Nick Carraway
Daisy's cousin from a conservative background, experiencing tension between his heritage and his immersion in the vibrant New York scene.
Tom Buchanan
Daisy's husband from a wealthy family, embodying traditional privilege and power, with a controlling and often rough demeanor.
Pammy Buchanan
Daisy and Tom's young daughter, largely cared for by a nurse, whose presence reflects Daisy’s ambivalence toward motherhood.
Myrtle Wilson
A lower-class woman engaged in an affair with Tom, who longs to escape her stagnant life and is vividly characterized by her striking appearance.
George Wilson
Myrtle's husband, who is financially struggling and becomes a tragic figure of desperation and revenge.
Eliza Baker
Jordan’s adoptive mother who brought her from Vietnam to America, representing the complex layers of colonial history in Jordan's life.
Aunt Justine
Jordan's supportive aunt in New York, balancing her progressive independence with her traditional beliefs about heritage.
Khai
Leader of the Vietnamese paper-cutting troupe, symbolizing the cultural heritage and magic within Jordan that she must reconcile with her life.
288
Novel • Fiction
New York • 1920s
2021
Adult
18+ years
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