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A review by thebookbin
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Nghi Vo's debut novel solidified her as one of my all-time favorite authors, and I am now firmly committed to buying anything with her name on it.
The Chosen and the Beautiful is a masterclass on storytelling, with poetic and hazy prose, an examination of race, class, and sexuality, and a thorough blend of both the historical and fantastical. This book is the perfect answer to Fitzgerald's original novel, it's narrative mirrors the extravagant wealth it criticizes, blindingly beautiful and smoky on the surface, something darker and sinister lurking within.
I would describe this as a grimdark story, which may or may not be accurate because I absolutely did not like my last grimdark novel, but this one I loved. Jordan Baker is a visceral protagonist, she hides herself so well from the overwhelming white wealth around her, she hides from herself as well. Seeing her play this game, try to navigate this society as someone who was raised in it takes you along for the ride, but her exploration of sexuality and race differentiate her from that which she criticizes. Khai's presence is so necessary, because he represents the average man, a direct contrast to Jordan's opulent wealth.
As in the original, Nick was my favorite character, but this Nick was so much more complex than the original. He's still one of the more genuine characters, but he has such hidden depths. His relationship with Gatsby was much darker that in the Fitzgerald novel, but at the same time so much more visceral.
The added fantastical element was unique in a way I don't see too many American writers tackle. Vo weaves in magic to the world so seamlessly it's almost an afterthought, but it gives the story an added element that elevates it beyond it's original concept.
This book is fantastic, but I suspect it will garner strong opinions on either side. I am firmly on the side that this book is a masterpiece, with lyrical prose and a gut-punch of a story.
The Chosen and the Beautiful is a masterclass on storytelling, with poetic and hazy prose, an examination of race, class, and sexuality, and a thorough blend of both the historical and fantastical. This book is the perfect answer to Fitzgerald's original novel, it's narrative mirrors the extravagant wealth it criticizes, blindingly beautiful and smoky on the surface, something darker and sinister lurking within.
I would describe this as a grimdark story, which may or may not be accurate because I absolutely did not like my last grimdark novel, but this one I loved. Jordan Baker is a visceral protagonist, she hides herself so well from the overwhelming white wealth around her, she hides from herself as well. Seeing her play this game, try to navigate this society as someone who was raised in it takes you along for the ride, but her exploration of sexuality and race differentiate her from that which she criticizes. Khai's presence is so necessary, because he represents the average man, a direct contrast to Jordan's opulent wealth.
As in the original, Nick was my favorite character, but this Nick was so much more complex than the original. He's still one of the more genuine characters, but he has such hidden depths. His relationship with Gatsby was much darker that in the Fitzgerald novel, but at the same time so much more visceral.
The added fantastical element was unique in a way I don't see too many American writers tackle. Vo weaves in magic to the world so seamlessly it's almost an afterthought, but it gives the story an added element that elevates it beyond it's original concept.
This book is fantastic, but I suspect it will garner strong opinions on either side. I am firmly on the side that this book is a masterpiece, with lyrical prose and a gut-punch of a story.