58 pages 1 hour read

Nghi Vo

The Chosen and the Beautiful

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

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.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

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.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Chosen and the Beautiful?

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Fantasy

Historical Fiction

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Topics

LGBTQ

History: World

Themes

Society: Class

Self Discovery

Identity: Race