Daisy: Poems

by Rachel Feder

A narrative-poetic retelling of The Great Gatsby from the perspective of a 1990s teen poet

 

Poems is a captivating and imaginative take on The Great Gatsby that puts F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 classic in the hands of a messy, ambitious, and possibly devious teen poet. From her privileged yet precarious perch in the roaring 1990s, Daisy navigates the expectations of her parents, boyfriend, and lover, alongside her own artistic ambitions, as she explores whether freedom is what she truly desires—and wonders if it’s even possible. Rachel Feder puts a new spin on beloved Jay, longtime and secret lover; Nick, somewhat mysterious and always meddling cousin; and Jordyn, best friend and companion in doomed relationships. A meditation on juvenilia, constructions of femininity, the purity myth, and canonical literary silences, Daisy is told in sparse, evocative verse that pulsates with youthful passion and offers a new elegy for our lost American dreams.

Genres: Poetry

160 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2025

About the author

Rachel Feder is an assistant professor of English and literary arts at the University of Denver. Her scholarly and creative work has appeared in a range of publications including ELH, Studies in Romanticism, and a poetry chapbook from dancing girl press.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very imaginative take on the character of Daisy through the lens of poetry and the Roaring 1990's (what a fun reimagining!). There are some of the familiar lines of Fitzgerald's and the moments, but they are sent through a whirligig of sorts, refracted and familiar at the same time. Feder's artistry here is deftly telling a familiar story in an unfamiliar way, and I think that her work will resonate with many of my 11th grade readers.