THE CHOSEN AND THE BEAUTIFUL

Jordan Baker recounts the story of Daisy Buchanan and her ill-fated relationship with Jay Gatsby.

Jordan, born in Vietnam, was adopted by the Bakers as a child, launching her into a world of old money and magic different from her own. Generally regarded as a curiosity, Jordan has made the best of her situation, kissing boys and girls and overindulging on imported bottles of demoniac, taking care not to dwell for too long on the things that make her different. After the deaths of her guardians, Jordan moves to New York City, where she reunites with her friend Daisy; meets Daisy’s cousin Nick Carraway, newly returned from the war; and learns that Jay Gatsby, whom she and Daisy knew in Louisville, is Nick’s neighbor. But Gatsby is different: lacking in something and single-mindedly focused on winning Daisy back. Between magic-filled parties at Gatsby’s house and whispers of dark bargains, Jordan watches the relationship between Daisy and Gatsby unravel over the course of the summer, at the same time struggling with her own relationship to Daisy and eventually coming to question her place in their society. Vo has crafted a retelling that, in many ways, surpasses the original, adding logic and depth to characters’ motivations while still—uncannily—unspooling the familiar story. Astonishingly crafted, with luscious prose and appeal for both fans of the original and those who always felt The Great Gatsby missed the mark.

With magic creeping in around the edges, this is a unique, well-developed, and haunting Gatsby retelling.