⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
Content Warning: racism, homophobia, misogyny, abortion, death, murder, alcohol & drug abuse, violence.
We all remember Jordan Baker: the cool, calculating socialite who is a golf champion and spends her time amongst the highest ranks of East Coast society. Jordan is the star of this reimagined novel, but there's a twist -- she's a Vietnamese immigrant, who also happens to be bisexual as well as endowed with certain magic powers. In this wonderfully creative tale, where magic and demons mix with the roaring 1920s, it's Jordan that gets the chance to explain the events that unfolded in Fitzgerald's original.
Giving this novel five stars is one of the easiest things I've ever done. In spite of the fact that this is technically a retelling of Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, it's one of the most original things I've read in a while, replete with magical realism and a main character who will remain stuck in your mind for a long time after you've finished. It is so good, so gorgeously and expertly written, that I was disappointed when it was over. It isn't very long, but what it manages to pack into the 260 odd pages is nothing short of a writing miracle.
It didn't totally surprise me, as I had previously read one of Vo's novellas, which was equally as captivating in its high-fantasy setting. This one, imbued with both beauty and an undercurrent of violence, left me utterly speechless. When I realized that this was, in fact, her debut novel, I couldn't believe it. It isn't simply that she excels at creating one of the most powerful narrative voices I've ever read, but the writing itself is full of lyricism, something that could nearly be called poetry. Her descriptions are borderline sensory, as if you are truly touching a piece of silk or feeling cool rain on your skin. Evocative is nearly an understatement.
As for the characterization, it's nothing short of brilliant. Jordan is fully realized, come to life against the backdrop of flashy parties and paper magic, with a ferocity and spirit that will make you love her regardless of her flaws. Adept at hiding her vulnerability, she uses coolness, witticisms and sometimes cruelty to disguise the soft heart beneath her exterior. Although she has been in relationships with both men and women before, it isn't until she meets the sweet, Midwestern Nick Carraway that she begins to truly and totally fall in love.
The relationships between the entire cast were complex, multifaceted and beautifully layered. In the original, I struggled to sympathize with any of the characters, so lost in their own world and arrogance, but here you see the true threads of tenderness extending from Nick to Jordan, from Nick to Gatsby, from Daisy to Jordan. For lack of a better term, it feels real. I loved Nick and Jordan's relationship, and I found it not only endearing but touching as well. This time around, the emotions allow you to actually empathize with all of them. Daisy, for one, is much more likable and understandable; even Gatsby is given glimpses of a past humanity.
I must also applaud the representation here. It was exciting to see Jordan as this deep, intellectual woman, who is caught between the expectations of her and her own desires and wants. No one else truly gets her -- she's othered constantly, the only person of color in a room. Her bisexuality is written with perfect casualness, not necessarily a big deal but nonetheless an important part of her. This book not only tackles the original topic of lost love, capitalism and the so-called American Dream, but also gives us important but subtle commentary on racism, homophobia, and misogyny, and how these things are intrinsically tied with those abovementioned themes.
It didn't totally surprise me, as I had previously read one of Vo's novellas, which was equally as captivating in its high-fantasy setting. This one, imbued with both beauty and an undercurrent of violence, left me utterly speechless. When I realized that this was, in fact, her debut novel, I couldn't believe it. It isn't simply that she excels at creating one of the most powerful narrative voices I've ever read, but the writing itself is full of lyricism, something that could nearly be called poetry. Her descriptions are borderline sensory, as if you are truly touching a piece of silk or feeling cool rain on your skin. Evocative is nearly an understatement.
As for the characterization, it's nothing short of brilliant. Jordan is fully realized, come to life against the backdrop of flashy parties and paper magic, with a ferocity and spirit that will make you love her regardless of her flaws. Adept at hiding her vulnerability, she uses coolness, witticisms and sometimes cruelty to disguise the soft heart beneath her exterior. Although she has been in relationships with both men and women before, it isn't until she meets the sweet, Midwestern Nick Carraway that she begins to truly and totally fall in love.
The relationships between the entire cast were complex, multifaceted and beautifully layered. In the original, I struggled to sympathize with any of the characters, so lost in their own world and arrogance, but here you see the true threads of tenderness extending from Nick to Jordan, from Nick to Gatsby, from Daisy to Jordan. For lack of a better term, it feels real. I loved Nick and Jordan's relationship, and I found it not only endearing but touching as well. This time around, the emotions allow you to actually empathize with all of them. Daisy, for one, is much more likable and understandable; even Gatsby is given glimpses of a past humanity.
I must also applaud the representation here. It was exciting to see Jordan as this deep, intellectual woman, who is caught between the expectations of her and her own desires and wants. No one else truly gets her -- she's othered constantly, the only person of color in a room. Her bisexuality is written with perfect casualness, not necessarily a big deal but nonetheless an important part of her. This book not only tackles the original topic of lost love, capitalism and the so-called American Dream, but also gives us important but subtle commentary on racism, homophobia, and misogyny, and how these things are intrinsically tied with those abovementioned themes.
Highly, highly recommended. If you're at all interested in this fantastic book, please pick it up as soon as you're able!
No comments:
Post a Comment