Book Review: The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
The twenties roar with a mystical twist in Nghi Vo’s novel, ‘The Chosen and the Beautiful.’ This debut novel spins a tale of magical realism set against the backdrop of the glitzy Jazz Age, replete with socialites, sorcery, and societal norms being upended. Here’s a glimpse into a world where the glitter is both glamorous and grim.
The Lure of the Jazz Age: A Setting Reimagined
Imagine the extravagance of the Roaring Twenties—the glittering dresses, the clandestine speakeasies, the smoke-filled rooms where jazz musicians conjure up addictive tunes. Now, infuse that image with a dusting of sorcery, and you have the vibrant setting of ‘The Chosen and the Beautiful.’ Vo’s rendition of the 1920s isn’t your standard history lesson. Here, magic breathes life into the paper, and the narrative weaves spells as potent as the era’s forbidden liquor. The author crafts a setting that is not only visually rich but also seeped in supernatural hues.
The ambience is rendered through intricate descriptions that resonate with the time period’s opulence. Vo expertly integrates the aesthetics of magic into this historical setting, where spells and enchantments are as common as flappers and bootleggers. The backdrop becomes a character in itself, compelling and unpredictable.
Introducing Jordan Baker: A Protagonist Redefined
Jordan Baker is a name many literature aficionados recognize, but not as she appears in Vo’s novel. Here, she’s more than just a secondary character; she’s a Vietnamese adoptee, navigating a world of privilege and prejudice, both fascinating and feral in her pursuits. We witness the high society of the 1920s through her eyes—an outsider in the inner circle, gifted with an otherworldly grace.
Vo redefines this character with layers of complexity, painting her with a brush dipped in both reality and the fantastic. Her experiences speak volumes about the era’s racial and social dynamics, and her queer identity adds another layer to the intricate social fabric she must weave her way through.
A Twist on Tradition: The Plot
The storyline of ‘The Chosen and the Beautiful’ dances to a different tune, one where Jordan’s status as a queer Asian woman in an upper-class society brings a fresh perspective to the age-old narrative of ambition, love, and betrayal. The plot unfurls as Jordan navigates the treacherous waters of her social circle, where she is both a spectacle and a spectator.
The narrative arc is rich with unexpected turns. Here’s a brief overview of key plot points without giving away the magic:
- Jordan’s Adoption: Her past shadows her present, influencing her relationships and status;
- Magical Undercurrents: Enchantments interlace with everyday life, affecting societal norms;
- The Parties: Lavish gatherings depict the excesses of the age, contrasting with Jordan’s personal journey;
- Romantic Entanglements: Jordan’s love life serves as a catalyst for character development and plot progression;
- Climactic Choices: Decisions must be made that will alter Jordan’s fate and those around her.
The Magic of Vo’s Writing: Style and Substance
Vo’s prose is a cocktail of sharp observations and lush imagery. Her words carry the rhythm of a jazz piece—improvisational yet precise, with sentences that twist and turn, surprising you with their cadence and depth. Her narrative style demonstrates an incredible blend of the complex and the accessible, the poetic and the blunt. She exhibits a notable capacity for crafting sentences that are at once hauntingly beautiful and remarkably down-to-earth, which is quite the feat.
Consider this excerpt as an illustration of her style:
“The moon hung high like a watchful eye, its light casting silvery spells on the cobblestone streets, as if each shimmer held a secret, waiting for the right whisper to release it into the night.”
The juxtaposition of the tangible and ethereal in her writing mirrors the dual nature of her protagonist and the world she inhabits.
Themes Unearthed: Social Commentary
The novel delves deep into themes of identity, privilege, and the price of ambition. Vo’s narrative shines a light on the high society of the 1920s from the eyes of an outsider within, revealing the era’s glittering facade and its darker undercurrents. Here is a list of prominent themes and their implications:
- Identity and Belonging: Jordan’s struggle with her cultural identity amid the predominantly white, wealthy elite offers poignant commentary on historical and modern social issues;
- Privilege and Prejudice: The juxtaposition of Jordan’s experiences with those of the other characters highlights disparities and societal biases;
- Ambition and Corruption: The novel probes the lengths to which individuals will go to secure their place in society, often at the cost of their morals.
Character Complexity: Beyond the Protagonist
From Daisy Buchanan to Jay Gatsby, the familiar faces return, but with layers peeled back and motives murkier. Vo introduces new characters too, enchanting in their complexity and crucial to the tapestry she weaves. The cast is a menagerie of the flawed and fabulous, each with their own secrets and desires. The dynamics among characters are a significant driving force in the narrative, propelling both the plot and the thematic development.
Sorcery and Society: The Integration of Magic
Magic in ‘The Chosen and the Beautiful’ isn’t just a plot device; it’s a metaphor for the hidden depths of this era. Vo uses enchantment to explore the unseen aspects of society, making it a character in its own right. The integration of magic is both seamless and essential, highlighting disparities and desires through its lens. It becomes a bridge between the seen and the unseen, the said and the unsaid, the powerful and the powerless.
The Echo of Fitzgerald: Honoring and Expanding the Canon
Nghi Vo pays homage to Fitzgerald’s iconic work while carving her own space within the literary canon. She expands the scope of the original story, infusing it with new life and perspectives. This expansion is evident in the way she handles familiar themes and characters, reimagining them with a modern sensibility that both honors and critiques the source material.
Literary Devices and Innovations: Vo’s Techniques
The novel is a testament to Vo’s skillful use of literary devices—symbolism, metaphor, and irony add depth to the tale, making it a rich reading experience. She employs a myriad of techniques, but let’s illustrate this with a table highlighting a few:
| Literary Device | Example from the Book | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Symbolism | The constant interplay of light and shadow. | Represents the duality of the Jazz Age – the shine and the shade. |
| Metaphor | Magic as a stand-in for the hidden social dynamics. | To comment on the unseen forces that shape society. |
| Irony | The characters’ search for happiness in excess. | To critique the hollowness of material pursuit. |
The Impact of ‘The Chosen and the Beautiful’
Vo’s novel isn’t just a book; it’s a statement. It challenges perceptions, invites discourse, and opens a dialogue on race, gender, and identity within the context of American history. It prompts readers to reflect on the past and its echoes in the present, making ‘The Chosen and the Beautiful’ a resonant and revelatory read.
A Concluding Verdict on Vo’s Literary Endeavor
The narrative concludes in a crescendo of personal and societal revelations, leaving the reader to ponder long after the last page is turned. Vo’s ‘The Chosen and the Beautiful’ is not just a novel—it’s a multifaceted experience, rich with thematic depth, that redefines the literary landscape it inhabits.
Frequently Asked Questions About
‘The Chosen and the Beautiful’ reimagines Fitzgerald’s world through the eyes of a queer Asian protagonist, adding layers of magical realism and social commentary not present in the original work.
Magic acts as a parallel to the characters’ inner lives and societal forces, offering a unique lens through which to view the narrative’s themes.
Absolutely. While it draws from ‘The Great Gatsby,’ it offers an entirely new perspective and can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of Fitzgerald’s novel.
Jordan’s experiences as an Asian woman in a predominantly white society highlight issues of identity and privilege, contrasting her inner world with external perceptions.
Vo diverges from Fitzgerald by incorporating magical elements, reimagining characters’ backgrounds, and altering key plot points to serve her novel’s unique themes.