Krásni malí blázni

by Jillian Cantor, Katarína Jusková (Translator)

Veľký Gatsby je späť. Rovnaký, a predsa iný, brilantne prerozprávaný z pohľadu troch silných žien. Daisy Buchananová, Jordan Barkerová a Catherine McCoyová dostali priestor, o akom vo svojej dobe nemohli ani snívať. Autorka Jillian Cantorová dokonale preskúmala životy žien v dvadsiatych rokoch 20. storočia: ich voľby, rozhodnutia, limity a predsudky medzivojnových čias.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Retellings, Historical, Book Club, Audiobook

256 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2022

About the author

Jillian Cantor is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of fifteen novels for teens and adults, which have been chosen for LibraryReads, Indie Next, Amazon Best of the Month, and have been translated into 15 languages. Born and raised in a suburb of Philadelphia, Cantor currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes a lot of gumption to tackle a classic, to think you can tell it as well from a different point of view. Here, the classic is The Great Gatsby. Jillian Cantor takes on the story, telling it from the point of view of three women - Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker and Catherine McCoy.
In 1917, Jay Gatsby met the then Daisy Fay in Louisville, KY. By 1922, he’s dead, floating in the pool of his East Egg mansion. The police think it’s a case of murder- suicide, with George Wilson having pulled the trigger. All but one detective, who’s unsettled by the discovery of a diamond hairpin near the pool.
The book expands on The Great Gatsby by giving us the history leading up to that fateful summer and then the investigation after Gatsby’s murder in addition to more of what happened on East Egg. Daisy remains pretty much the same character - unhappy, having married for financial security over love. Jordan is re-imagined as a lesbian. Catherine is a wholly new character, the sister of Myrtle Wilson. She’s a suffragette, a casual sexual partner of Gatsby’s. Each could have easily pulled the trigger, as each has her own reasons to want him dead. The women show the reader the limited possibilities for a woman in the 1920s. Even those that remained single weren’t free to live their lives as they would have wished. We see Gatsby only from the perspective of these women and he continues to be an enigma.
Cantor does a good job of providing some twists along the way, as well as keeping the mystery of who really killed Gatsby hidden. The story was engrossing. It remains true to the original while providing this new perspective. What’s sad is to think how hardened, cynical and apathetic these women were, despite still being so young. But given the men in their lives, it’s really no wonder. I adored the ending. “We all get what’s coming to us. Eventually.”
This is my first book by Cantor. I would definitely read her again.
My thanks to Netgalley and Harper Perennial for an advance copy of this book.

[Catherine (alternativelytitledbooks) - tired of sickness! · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Perennial, and Jillian Cantor for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 2.1!**

Who shot J.G.?

No, Dallas fans, that isn't a typo...the victim here is none other than Jay Gatsby.

Intrigue, gossip, sex, scandal, and heartbreak all simmer in this re-imagined murder mystery version of the Great Gatsby...can YOU figure out whodunnit?

Those familiar with Gatsby might know some of the names...but how well do you know the women?

Daisy Buchanan, the southern belle and unreachable object of Jay's attention after a rendezvous long ago, ends up marrying Tom Buchanan after family tragedy leaves her vulnerable... but BEFORE finding out her rich and handsome prince has a wandering eye that just can't stand still. Her best friend Jordan is a budding golf superstar with secrets of her own...just how far COULD she go to protect her own truth? Meanwhile, while pining for Daisy, Jay has become entangled with suffragette Catherine in New York City, and Catherine's sister is in an unfortunate romantic entanglement of her own.

ALL of these women are strong, bold, and potentially motivated to rid the world of one Jay Gatsby. And when a mysterious diamond hairpin is found at the scene of the crime by detective Frank, this crime is no longer chalked up to a murder-suicide committed by George...but which one of these femmes is a true femme fatale?

I haven't opened The Great Gatsby since high school, but that did not deter me whatsoever from picking this one up..and I am SO grateful for that! From page one, Cantor had me hook, line, and sinker, drawn back to the bustling (and roaring) 20s, effortlessly moving from POV to POV and learning all there was to learn about these incredible women. Of course, there is so much room here for development and creativity, because aside from Daisy, no other women from Gatsby stuck in my mind.

This was a tale ripe for retelling, and I absolutely loved the angles Cantor explored. This novel has all the hallmarks of a classic whodunnit, the gasp-a-minute salaciousness of a gossip column, the heart-wrenching push and pull of a romance gone wrong, all wrapped neatly in a historical fiction package that kept me enthralled from beginning to end.

Even a slight borrow from Dirty Dancing ("And I'm afraid of leaving this room and never feeling the way I feel right now, ever again in my whole entire life.") couldn't kill my buzz on this one (and let's face it, that probably endeared me more than anything else anyway!) I rarely dabble in historical fiction, but something about this eye-catching cover and clever premise caught my attention...and I'm so thrilled to say held it from beginning to end, old sport. 😉 So grab a Gin Rickey (or a G&T, if you so prefer) 🍸 and be ready to be fooled...in the best possible way!

4 stars

[Kate Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this one for a cover quote, and enjoyed it hugely! Jillian Cantor beautifully re-crafts THE GREAT GATSBY here, placing the women center stage: more than merely beautiful, not so little as the men in their lives assume, and certainly far from foolish. Both fresh and familiar, this one's a page-turner. Daisy Buchanon was never my favorite, but I feel I understand her now--and Jordan Baker is every bit the delight that I always thought she'd be, even when Nick Carraway was giving her short shrift in the original!

[Misty Marie Harms · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the men in this book are major assholes. The real question is why these women dealt with them. I was not disappointed with his death. He needed more bullets. I love the bonds of friendship and family these women had. The struggles of being a lesbian, Jordan went through, were sad. The shame and the hiding because in those times it was considered deviant behavior. A wonderful read.

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I’m already a fan of Jillian Cantor’s books. My first was The Hours Count about Ethel and Julius Rosenberg in the 1950s. Her storytelling is completely immersive and her characters come to life. Beautiful Little Fools is the retelling of one of my favorite classics, The Great Gatsby, shared mostly from the female characters’ points of view.

When Jay Gatsby is found dead in his swimming pool, and the body of another man’s body is located nearby, the police think this will be a simple case to solve; but it wasn’t that straight forward. A diamond hairpin opens up many more questions.

Several years earlier, Daisy plans to marry Jay Gatsby until he goes off to war, and her family loses its patriarch and breadwinner, her father, as well as her beloved sister in a tragic accident. Thereafter, Daisy feels like she needs to marry quickly to keep herself afloat financially. Jordan, Daisy’s best friend and a golfer, also narrates, as well as Catherine, a feminist and suffragette. Each of their stories has a tie to Jay Gatsby and potentially his murder.

Beautiful Little Fools is SO GOOD. I am loving the background we got on the women in the story. Don’t tell anyone but I preferred this story to TGG. 😉 Full of atmosphere, smooth writing, a touch of mystery, and fine storytelling, I adored this character-driven book. Even if you haven’t read, or didn’t love TGG, this story stands solidly on its own and is full of enjoyment.

I received a gifted copy.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Beautiful Little Fools”, is a full package entertaining perfect historical fiction novel. >>> totally immersive and ‘believable’.
It’s filled of a lot of hunger yearnings, bliss and heartache.
It’s juicy fresh, mysterious, with atmospheric glitz & glamour.

Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker, and Catherine McCoy each have enough motive to kill Jay Gatsby — and the way in which this book unfolds, intrigues ….and intrigues some more…..our experience of “The Great Gatsby”, is transposed…..
in an ‘expanded’ exciting new way of exploration.

At the start of this re-telling of “The Great Gatsby”….in 1917….
Jay Gatsby is found dead in the swimming pool —-
And….it didn’t take long to feel as if we are witnessing a new modern classic….a book that will be timeless and captivating a hundred years from now.
Jill Cantor did a brilliant job - taking a risk - in re-telling F. Scott Fitzgerald’s favorite American novel….
and she fully succeeded.
Cantor’s character development transcends time and the geographic location….as it’s about the human conditions….from three different women’s perspectives.

Unrequited love encompasses the lover who isn’t reciprocating—- (“Beautiful Little Fools”), with themes throughout of overwhelming desire—wanting the unattainable—

This novel has everything….. from drama, to mystery, to murder, to romance…and it’s filled with emotional - vivid storytelling!

IT MUST BE SAID….
Jill Cantor… did a MAGNIFICENT JOB!
Modern day epic outstanding- pure entertaining.

[Lori Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I always thought it was us women who were the fools,” I whispered. “But I was wrong, it’s been the men all along…” —Jillian Cantor, Beautiful Little Fools

What a tangled web! 🕸

I love when authors take a well known story and reimagine it from different points of view. In this case Cantor has taken the classic, The Great Gatsby and told it through Daisy, Jordan, & Catherine’s (Myrtle's sister) view point. The story was engrossing though at times it felt a bit rushed. I did get frustrated with some of the choices these women made, however, the choices they were given were much more limited than what women have today. Not sure how the original portrayed the ‘gentlemen’ but this one does not show them in a good light.

Fans of the original may or may not like this perspective, but on its own I found it well written & entertaining. 4.5 stars.

***ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Isabelle Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

i’m losing faith in humanity. we had the story of the Great Gatsby set up as a murder mystery from the perspectives of the women.

and yet we still managed to screw it over 👏

let’s just get started with this glorious premise full of false hope because why not.

note: this review contains spoilers for Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.


“On a sultry August day in 1922, Jay Gatsby is shot dead in his West Egg swimming pool. To the police, it appears to be an open-and-shut case of murder/suicide when the body of George Wilson, a local mechanic, is found in the woods nearby.

Then a diamond hairpin is discovered in the bushes by the pool, and three women fall under suspicion. Each holds a key that can unlock the truth to the mysterious life and death of this enigmatic millionaire.

Daisy Buchanan once thought she might marry Gatsby—before her family was torn apart by an unspeakable tragedy that sent her into the arms of the philandering Tom Buchanan.

Jordan Baker, Daisy’s best friend, guards a secret that derailed her promising golf career and threatens to ruin her friendship with Daisy as well.

Catherine McCoy, a suffragette, fights for women’s freedom and independence, and especially for her sister, Myrtle Wilson, who’s trapped in a terrible marriage.

Their stories unfold in the years leading up to that fateful summer of 1922, when all three of their lives are on the brink of unraveling. Each woman is pulled deeper into Jay Gatsby’s romantic obsession, with devastating consequences for all of them.”


It's such a good premise, and it went so terribly, terribly wrong.

I’m gonna break my traditional review structure and mash everything together because anyone who’s read The Great Gatsby knows these characters, and it takes away from the mystery if I say too much about the plot.

As much as I admired Fitzgerald’s original Great Gatsby, the women never truly got a voice. Everything was told through Nick’s perspective, and the main focus was on Jay Gatsby. Daisy and Myrtle were repeatedly sexualized, and Jordan and Catherine were repeatedly dismissed.
So in that respect, I appreciate how this book attempts to give those women agency, to illustrate how Daisy, Jordan, and Catherine each have their own struggles and joys and traumas and histories.

However, with that being said, I didn’t appreciate how these new characterizations swung to extremes. In the original, all the women were desired and objectified. In this version, all the men were flat and villainized.
Case in point: throughout the story, there are eight named men with roles of varying importance.
and interestingly, every single one of them was a lustful, selfish manipulator. I know there are a lot of wicked men in the world, but not all of them are trash, and certainly not all of them struggle with being lustful selfish manipulators.

One of the worst things about this villainization was that it brought the male characters down to the female character's original level of depersonalization. Instead of elevating one, Ms. Cantor merely lowered the other. The men had no lives outside of making the women's lives difficult. It ruined any sense of mystery or intrigue and certainly destroyed any of my desire to learn more about any of them (for example, I was extremely curious about Tom Buchanan’s childhood in the original novel, but for like 98% of this book all I wanted to do was lock him up).

I’ve always loved trying to imagine the stories behind all the Great Gatsby characters. If you think about it, they were all mysteries. Nick was the plainest and least involved with their drama, and that’s why he made such a good narrator. Just like us, he came into this world of wealth and power and wine without any backstory. Everyone was a mystery. Their power plays, their sins, their loves, we didn’t know any of it.
I wish this retelling could've kept more of that mystery. In this one, the women had all their stories laid out, and the men were so obvious that any subtlety was gone in less than a second.

In the end, I couldn't bring myself to care about any of the plot or any of the characters.

and as we readers all know, being dead boring is a book's cardinal sin.



Ratings:
Star Rating: ★★☆☆☆
If This Book Was a Movie Rating: R

Recommendations That Are Better Than This Book:
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not one who often reads retellings of well known novels and The Great Gatsby is certainly that. Plus, it's been many years since I have read it, in fact I remember the movie with Leonardo better than the book. Surprisingly however, the author captured the atmosphere, not only of the time period, but of what I remember in the original book. It's also told from the viewpoint of the women, Daisy, Jordan and Catherine, whom also speaks for her sister Myrtle. I loved the character of Detective Frank Charles, who is determined to find the truth of Gatsby's murder and so loves his own wife. One of the good guys.

I really enjoyed this, loved hearing the women express their own thoughts, their own feelings, desires.
Also love the elegance and richness of the cover. Another worthy, well done story told by Cantor, an author whose books I have enjoyed in the past, though I have a few more to read.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you look at the lives of three women from "The Great Gatsby," you realize that all that glitters is not gold. Daisy, Jordan, and Catherine (Myrtle's sister) tell the story of how meeting Jay Gatsby changes their lives forever. Not totally up to speed on the original? No worries! My last exposure to the classic was watching Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire in the 2013 movie rendition. Jillian Cantor makes this such an engrossing tale that beautifully complements the original. Who really killed Jay Gatsby? Detective Frank Charles has fifteen thousand reasons not to give up on this case that has closed by the police. He was my favorite character and his devotion to his wife Dee was in stark contrast to the other men in the book like Jay Gatsby, George Wilson, and Tom Buchanan. Step back into the Gilded Age and reimagine an American classic.

Thank you to Harper Perennial and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Little Fools reimagines the literary classic The Great Gatsby giving voice to three women.

1917, Kentucky. Daisy Fay, eighteen, on a hot summer day in Louisville meets a soldier named Jay Gatsby. That’s not a kind of man her father would approve off, but she finds a Louisville society man dreadfully boring.

Jordan, sixteen, is best friends with Daisy, which her father, Judge Baker, doesn’t approve of. But Jordan is not worried as she is not looking for a man nor marriage. Her life is golf. It is her sanctuary and strength.

1917, New York. Catherine follows her sister Myrtle from Illinois to New York. She doesn’t want to be anyone’s wife in a small town. She wants freedom in a big city. A place that offers excitement and opportunity. A place which now is buzzing with soldier, and she meets one of them named Jay Gatsby.

1922, New York. Detective Frank Charles questions all three women. He knows that all three women lied to him. He just can’t put his finger on how and why yet. There was a shooting, resulting in deaths, and some things are not adding up. Jay Gatsby was known for throwing all the lavish parties and now he is dead. The big question is who pulled the trigger. He also finds a diamond hairpin close to the murder scene and that puts all three women under suspicion.

As the story develops, it brings in events from the three women’s lives and how those events shape their decisions. Those characters are interestingly explored; one chooses marriage to let her live comfortably, two pick freedom over marriage. But even with their strong convictions, they can’t predict all the curveballs that life throws at them. And there is one man who longs for only one particular woman, and will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.

The storylines are seamlessly woven, revealing intriguing layers. As the detective tries to figure out the case, once the first puzzle is laid out, it continuously builds the mystery of who did what. As it turns out, someone is exceedingly calculated, carefully orchestrating the scenario.

This reinvented classic brings fascinating women tinged with flaws, and complex life’s events with one detective trying to put the puzzles together - not only to solve the case, but also to receive the monetary reward that goes with it and the money that he could use to treat his wife to something nice and well-deserved. But he is still not there to solve the case and his wife is failing in health. Time is of essence.

Wonderfully reimagined and flawlessly written literally classic that brilliantly explores the women’s lives in 1920s; their choices, their decisions, the limitations, and the prejudice of the era.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daisy Fay was young and starry eyed as she saw the soldiers who were readying for entering the war. One particular soldier – Jay Gatsby – took her eye and it wasn’t long before Daisy was determined to leave her home and family, to meet Jay in New York and marry him before he left for war. But when a dreadful tragedy tore Daisy’s family apart, she knew she couldn’t leave her mother on her own. And discovering the debts they’d been left saw Daisy determined to marry a rich man to save them from being both penniless and homeless.

Tom Buchanan was a wealthy man and when Daisy entered his orbit, it wasn’t too long before Daisy was preparing to marry him. Her best friend, Jordan Baker, travelling with the women golfing squad, was delighted to be her matron of honour, taking leave from the tour to be by Daisy’s side. While Catherine McCoy, sister of Myrtle Wilson and a suffragette, completed the trio who were all connected to Jay Gatsby. When Jay was murdered at his West Egg home, and George Wilson, Myrtle’s husband, was also found dead in nearby woods, the police declared it a murder/suicide and closed the case. But one man, Detective Frank Charles, wasn’t so confident of his colleagues’ result and would continue to investigate. But would he ever discover who killed Jay?

Beautiful Little Fools is a reimagining of The Great Gatsby which I haven’t read. Jillian Cantor – be it similar, or different – has written an excellent historical novel set in the early 1920s when women weren’t treated well, and men controlled most of them. The three women main characters are exceptionally well written, likeable, strong, determined and loyal, especially to each other. Beautiful Little Fools is an enjoyable read which I recommend.

With thanks to Simon & Schuster AU for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Jillian Cantor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve long been a fan of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, but as a reader, I’ve always wanted to know more about the women in the novel, certain they had their own stories to tell, too. In The Great Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan says that the best thing a woman can be is a “beautiful little fool,” but I always felt sure that neither she, nor her friend, Jordan Baker, were fools. In my novel, Beautiful Little Fools, I set out to explore just that, as I reimagine the world F. Scott Fitzgerald first created, but this time, from the women’s points of view.

My novel is narrated by Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker, and Myrtle Wilson’s sister, Catherine, as well as a detective hired to investigate Jay Gatsby’s death, who is certain one of these women were involved. Beautiful Little Fools unfolds as part mystery, part retelling, and part historical novel detailing the lives of women at the time. Though it could be read as a companion to The Great Gatsby, it can also be read alone, because ultimately, it’s an exploration of the interior lives of women, their struggles, their triumphs, and most of all, their secrets.

I hope you will enjoy reading about the women of The Great Gatsby as much I enjoyed writing about them!

[Jovana (NovelOnMyMind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how Cantor took this classic about some of the richest and most powerful male characters we’ve ever met in literature, and then made the story that wasn’t about them at all. Beautiful Little Fools is completely about the women from the famous story. This didn’t go down at all the way I expected it to, but I enjoyed it quite a bit.

If you want to see my much more in depth review, you can check it out on my book blog NovelOnMyMind

A huge thank you to Harper Perennial and Edelweiss+ for providing me with an ARC of Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor in exchange for an honest review.

[jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

good soup

[Kathryn in FL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous, Impeccably Written Story - Who Shot J(R) Gatsby?
Unputdownable Experience -Get it, Read it, NOW!
****1/2 STARS

There is a great deal going on in this story, the author tackled the influence and impact of Jay Gatsby on four different women. Jillian Cantor developed her characters so that the reader learn's each woman's life story as it related to Gatsby, giving the reader a fly on the wall experience watching the drama play out. I was impressed with each woman's narration of her life and her connection to Gatsby and the power he wielded upon her. Cantor shines a brighter light on the enigma surrounding Jay as a result.

Daisy's choice to marry Tom follows shortly after Jay is sent to war (World War 1) and a tragedy ensues, we come to realize all her fears and insecurities. Her decision leads to great pain and misery despite the tremendous wealth and need of nothing, Tom's extravagances bring no joy or peace. Her friend, Jordan also fails in love. Her choices lead to scandal and though she is able to bluff away the rumors with her friends, Jay becomes suspicious and uses her secret to blackmail her. Myrtle is dumb as a brick and her own naivete leads to severe consequences but her sister, Catherine holds Jay to account, Catherine has her own secrets that she prefers to keep. Of course, Nick Carraway is a party to much of what transpires, however, he is the observer he had been and he does not narrate this time.

Four women seeking happiness left with broken hearts and broken dreams. Will the real killer be discovered by the police detective? Will she or he have their day in court? You'll have to read this intricately woven tale to learn the truth. I promise you it is worth the time.

I'll let other reviewers delve deeper and close with my favorite experience while reading this complex tale. Throughout the read, I kept seeing scenes from my favorite movie adaptation with Robert Redford (pause here to sigh). I'd see the Redford, Farrow and others as they traversed the pages, I kept seeing the characters in my mind interacting with each other. Cantor having read this story countless times during the writing of the novel captures the essence of each character with finesse. Her vision of each was very similar to my own. I wish we had seen for of Nick and Gatsby too. However, her purpose was to shine a light on the life of women during that era both with money and without to reveal how limited their choices were and she did a phenomenal job portraying the times of the days after the Great War and the push for greater autonomy.

The two drawbacks were the lack of editorial consistency throughout the story, where five years were often stated as three and vice versa when referencing events in the passage of time. Also, Cantor did not incorporate any symbolism which was one of the most powerful aspects of Fitzgerald's opus. It's omission reminded me that this was a well written story by a talented author but dimmed compared to Fitzgerald's genius.

Congratulations, Ms. Cantor, I didn't think you could pull it off but you have the Kathryn of FL seal of approval! Perhaps, there might be a sequel, where some or all the character's lives continue experiencing consequences of that fateful day?

Note - there is a very good bookclub guide that would be excellent for such a dynamic. I would definitely think the pleasure garnered from this experience would be greatly enhanced in a discussion group.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

As someone who teaches The Great Gatsby, I've read it 1-2 times a year for the last 9 years. I know the book well and have looked at it through several lenses. I was excited about this way of looking at the book, Cantor's premise that she would fill in the gaps and give the women voices. That's not what happened here.

Cantor gave herself creative license beyond what I found appropriate. Having Jordan say, "Nick is an incurable liar" does not mean she can change what Fitzgerald wrote, in my opinion. Filling in the gaps? Fine. Writing a prequel/sequel? Have at it! But the flagrant incongruities between the novels grated at me from the start. Small things like hair color, who drinks and who doesn't, to major plot points were apparently free game for Cantor.

But my larger qualms have nothing to do with the original. I thought we were trying to move past the trope of the dead woman, but Cantor invents several sisters only to ruthlessly murder all of them. It's as though women can't conceive of complex emotions without a dead sister. And the women she wrote, except Catherine (and I'm being generous here) aren't distinguishable from one another without having Jordan say golf 8k times. Why give them voices if you can't write them as having voices?

This brings me to another point of contention: the writing. There were inconsistencies within the novel as though it were written by different people, or maybe not edited well. The repetition even within a chapter doesn't evoke any emotion in this reader except boredom and irritation.

I could go on about the reverse sexism, flat male characters, etc. but you get the point. This was tremendously disappointing.

[Taury · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite novels is The Great Gatsby. It is one of the few books I read multiple times. I was first introduced in high school. I was thrilled to find this little gem.

Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor Who killed Jay Gatsby? Was it a heart broken man? A jealous husband? Or a scorned lover? Who was it? Read this wonderfully re-crafted novel to find out if it was Daisy, Jordan or Catherine. Perhaps it was jealous Joe. Or angry nasty ole George. Whoever it was Officer Frank is on the case with 15 thousand reasons to find the fiend(s).

[T. Greenwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am lucky to have read an early draft of this novel, and it is truly terrific. It captures the world of Gatsby perfectly; it is atmospheric and engaging from page one. But the real treat is how Cantor gives voice to Fitzgerald's female characters. I promise, you will love this one. I have read all of Cantor's novels, and this is my favorite.

[Anastasia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had zero one-star reads in 2022. And now, three books and six days into 2023, I have my first one-star review.

I've sat with this book for a little bit, y'all. I read it in one sitting on a plane, and I've thought about it since I finished. But I'm still angry. And as I said in my initial thoughts, it is very difficult for a book to make me this angry. Yet Cantor has managed it. It's quite the feat, but I don't think it's one that should be applauded. One star for the anger, because I'm too upset for this to be two stars.

You're probably wondering why I'm upset, so let me give you some context: I've been working on my own college Gatsby retelling since 2020. In looking at my shelves and reading challenges over the past few years, you might have noticed several different Gatsby-related titles present. Most of them take place in-universe--AKA, in New York/West Egg in the 1920s, with the characters (mostly) inhabiting the same roles and archetypes as they did in the original story. (Aside, of course, from the modern commentary the retellings make on those archetypes.) Their names are pretty much the same, and the storylines have little variation from the basic tenets of the original plot.

Please note, these are NOT criticisms. They're observations--observations that all the Gatsby retellings which have come out recently are all directly lifting from the same characters Fitzgerald created. This, in theory, is not something I have an issue with; now that the copyright for The Great Gatsby has expired, the work falls within the public domain, so it's legal for writers to use the same character names, settings, you name it, in their retellings. But I believe that, if you're going to write a retelling of a classic, it's because you desire to enter into a dialogue with the original work, and in that dialogue, you borrow familiar elements from the original narrative and use them a little differently in order to make a point. But, in that dialogue, you're building off of what is already there, not undermining it in such a way that will render what the original work had to say pointless.

And yet, that's what Beautiful Little Fools does. This "retelling" takes characters which have captivated us for almost a hundred years and reduces them to one-dimensional props to further the author's message. By the time that message is finally revealed to us, the characters we know are completely unrecognizable.

No, not unrecognizable. Sorry, I misspoke. They're something worse: They're unmemorable.

Buckle up, folks. This is going to be a long review. And there will be spoilers, both for this story and for the original Great Gatsby.

A disclaimer before we get started, because I feel I should address it just in case: No, I don't dislike this book just because it's a Gatsby retelling and I'm "jealous" because I'm writing one too. And no, I am not opposed to negative portrayals of neutral or highly-idealized characters in the original; The Chosen and the Beautiful was also an in-universe Gatsby retelling which portrayed Gatsby less-than-favorably, and yet that book got a solid three stars from me. Had Nghi Vo chosen more firmly between a faithful retelling or a re-imaginative, multicultural story about immigrants, that book would have been a stronger story and easily one of my most atmospheric 2022 reads.

Vo's Gatsby was a cunning, self-serving blackmailer, and far more villainous than in the original. But Vo still captured his charisma while making it clear that Jordan saw right through the appearance. Vo managed to show us a different iteration of Gatsby without destroying what made his character so memorable in the first place. Muddled plot aside, The Chosen and the Beautiful was a wonderful tribute to the original and a story I would recommend, though it has its share of flaws. Vo did an excellent job of showing us the Jordan we recognized while creating a Jordan that was truly all her own. I finished that book with more insight on and sympathy toward her than I had while reading the original.

So, to reiterate: This is not a one-star read because I'm a Jay Gatsby groupie, though I'll admit that, in my own reading of the original, I choose to interpret Gatsby as someone who has idealistically pure intentions even though his tunnel-vision and stubbornness ultimately leads him to make selfish decisions that ruin the lives of others. Here's the thing: tragic flaws are not unique to Jay Gatsby's character. Many, many characters possess tragic flaws; Greek philosophers considered those flaws essential to any authentic tragedy. Think Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet. Think Frankenstein: The 1818 Text or Death of a Salesman, another one of my favorite examinations of how reckless pursuit of the American Dream leads to inevitable ruin and irreparable loss. (We'll pretend Wuthering Heights and The Pearl don't exist, because I hate the characters in those books so much, but the point is both of those titles are indeed considered classics.) Gatsby is a deeply flawed character, but he does not exist in a vacuum. His inability to let go is contextualized as that same stubborn hope we all have for the life we want, and his attempts to attain it at any cost are an ironic commentary on how much Americans will fake and pretend in order to make that dream real. One can debate whether Nick is a reliable narrator (or, more fundamentally, whether Nick is even a decent person), but he characterizes Gatsby as someone who, in his blind belief in the dream of having Daisy, is still a more genuine person when he's faking wealth than any of the people in the original story who have that wealth legitimately. I like that dynamic. I think it's so interesting.

Say what you want about the women of The Great Gatsby. They are underestimated, yes. They're sidelined, sure. But they are never simplistic. Daisy is superficial, Jordan is callous, Myrtle is naive. But they are not just these things. Daisy is forced to choose between the comfortable security of old money/the approval of high society and pure love. (I could get into whether her love with Gatsby was "true love," but I really don't want to make this review longer than it needs to be, so I will leave that can of worms writhing on a separate, neglected shelf in my mind.) Jordan has money and connections, but she's dishonest. She's forward and intelligent, but she's selfish and superficial, too, and she's an excellent foil for the coquettish, timid Daisy--a Daisy who might come across as sweet and indecisive, but is ultimately crueler than Jordan. Myrtle is "the other woman," the most villainized archetype, and yet she's the most victimized out of the three. She's married to a man who can't give her the life she wants, but, while her lover can give her material things, he refuses to commit to something as substantial and meaningful as a legitimate relationship. Myrtle spends her whole arc in the shadow of a villain and is killed in a desperate last escape toward what she sees as a "better life" with a savior who's never coming. Tom doesn't even own the car that hit her. He isn't even there when she dies.

Like the rest of the characters in The Great Gatsby, the women in the original story aren't necessarily likable or fully sympathetic. But they are multifaceted. They are archetypes, but never once would I see any of the women in the original as one-note. They are victimized, but Fitzgerald also allows them to make choices, even if it's between two bad options and even if they choose poorly. Myrtle chooses to maintain an affair with Tom. Daisy chooses to cheat with Gatsby. Jordan is flaky, but she's allowed to be--she's allowed to choose not to choose Nick consistently. These women have agency in the narrative, and any negative consequences resulting from that agency are just as much a result of The Great Gatsby being an American tragedy as they are commentary on the way women were treated in the 1920s.

I was looking forward to Cantor's take on the women of The Great Gatsby. She claims she wanted to "give them a voice" and write more agency than Fitzgerald allowed them in the original. Okay, fine, I'll give it a shot. I give you four hours of my time and see what you have to say.

How does Cantor give the women of The Great Gatsby "more agency"? Simple. She villainizes all the men in the story in order to justify all the decisions these women make in the narrative. They don't make mistakes; mistakes would mean consequences. Instead, all the morally ambiguous actions Jordan, Daisy, and Myrtle take in the original story are "revealed" as the product of manipulation or coercion. George Wilson beats his wife, so it's okay for Myrtle to cheat. (George was probably the nicest guy out of all the men in the original story, ironically enough). Daisy cheats, but Tom cheats with underage girls, so he's the only one whose infidelity is unjustifiable.

And Gatsby? Gatsby is a rapist, a blackmailer, and a murderer. He sets up Myrtle and Tom's affair to undermine the Buchanans' marriage. Myrtle never chooses to cheat; she's paid to sit on a train with Tom and then falls in love because he's not her abusive husband. Daisy realizes she doesn't love Gatsby earlier on than in the original, but Gatsby's threats are what keep the relationship going, not her inability to choose between two different classes, a key point of conflict and commentary in the original.

No, of course not. In Beautiful Little Fools, Gatsby is the one who drove the yellow car that hit Myrtle, not Daisy. Instead of using this story to cover for Daisy--something Gatsby did in the original because he wanted Daisy so much that he was willing to sacrifice anything for her while in complete denial that she did not (or could not) reciprocate such a "selfless" love--Gatsby threatens Daisy into staying with him, saying that if she doesn't, he'll reveal she killed Myrtle. He also threatens to out Jordan as a lesbian if she doesn't help him pull Daisy away from Tom.

So Myrtle and Tom's affair, Myrtle's death, Jordan's lies, Daisy's decision to cheat? They're all Gatsby's fault, folks. And when he gets killed, it's because he deserved it for blackmailing all of them.

The narrative tries so hard to make you root for Gatsby's death and cheer on the girls for killing him. And sure, I wanted this character to die by the end, but , whoever he was, he wasn't Gatsby. Where was his charisma? Nick describes Gatsby as someone with "an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which it is not likely I shall ever find again," and while I know we're not telling this story from Nick's perspective, I'm seeing none of the charm in this character that would have made him so appealing. In the original story, Gatsby's power was not just contained in his money and spectacle; it was the fact that he was an enigma. His enticing personality and the mystery of him added to his power. That's why he starts to lose influence once he's outed as a fraud.

Here, Gatsby is no different from any of the other male characters, and I have a problem with that. Not because there's no room for different interpretations of his character, but because the whole point of the original Great Gatsby was that he was different from the rest of high society, and the conflict resulting from that difference is fundamental to The Great Gatsby's commentary on class and American socioeconomics. So making him even more of a villain than Tom--and making him nothing more than a villain--very much diminishes the impact of the conversation The Great Gatsby had about class. It also oversimplifies--and thus convolutes--the conversation this book desperately wants to have about sexism (and, to some extent, homophobia) in 1920s America.

Beautiful Little Fools attempts to give us a story where women "fight the patriarchy" without showing us the complexities of living in and interacting with the patriarchy or how such a system of oppression is internalized. This novel ignores that conversation completely by having all its women make poor decisions as a result of manipulation or deception instead of out of their own volition, thus neglecting to show us how women can participate or be complicit in patriarchy. Daisy's original arc screams complicity. And, in the original story, we see the ruination that results with her covering for Tom the way she does. We see what being complicit with patriarchy offers her, we see her motivations for staying with him (comfort and protection in a society that is against her freedom to live outside of certain customs/circles), and we see the consequences her choice has on all the other characters. Her complicity means George Wilson and Gatsby die needlessly, and it means Tom never has to atone for anything he does, when he's largely responsible for those deaths in the first place.

So, if we're not going to explore this nuance or explore patriarchy as the real threat toward the American Dream in the eyes of American woman any deeper than "men with power are bad because they're men with power, but we won't show you what their power is, we'll just tell you they have it," what was the point of a feminist retelling of Gatsby in the first place? Clearly, the original explores it with much more nuance. That's probably why it's such a classic.

I won't even get started on the whole detective storyline--the one I didn't care about at all because it was so phoned-in--or how Cantor used so many tired tropes to build out the backstories of such well-loved characters. You're trying to give such classic, well-loved characters more depth, and you can't even put unique spins on their stories? If you're not going to honor what made them such vivid characters in the first place, why write about them? Why not write a modern retelling inspired by The Great Gatsby instead of using the same characters and trying to fit that story into the plotline of Big Little Lies (something the author admits to in her author's note at the end of the book)? Then, by setting an American classic in modern times, you can discuss modern feminism while making commentary about the 1920s and the evolution of patriarchy in America over time. Plus, the Big Little Lies storyline won't clash as much; if it's a modern retelling instead of an in-universe retelling, you'll have far more freedom with the setting and the mores.

A modern feminist Gatsby retelling in this vein could have been subtler, stronger, and cleverer. I believe Cantor could have pulled it off, and I still would have picked up a retelling like that, even without the 1920s aesthetic. But this story is not subtle, strong, or clever. It is the novelistic equivalent of Klipspringer passed out on the keys of the piano the morning after one of Gatsby's parties: too drunk on its own potential to realize just how hollow the environment it inhabits truly is after the night's over and all the revelers have gone home. This book rests on the laurels of a stronger story while trying to dismiss and belittle everything that made the original story great. In doing so, it argues for its own irrelevancy as a story while simultaneously earning its place as a true 1920s novel: shiny, sad, and fixated on the superficial. Save your money and save your time.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great Gatsby is a classic book that I haven't been able to agree on the hype. I've tried to read it multiple times but I just can't get into the hype. However the fact that authors are now able to use the great Gatsby for an inspiration in their books have intrigued me greatly and I was excited to read this one. I enjoyed it as much as I had hoped to, loved the fact that this novel focused on the women and it was intriguing and emersive all way through

[laura *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool."

Beautiful Little Fools is a stunning retelling of The Great Gatsby that focuses in on the lives and secrets of the women from the classic story. When a diamond hairpin is found at the apparent murder-suicide of George and Gatsby, a detectives suspicions fall on Daisy, Jordan, and Myrtle's sister Catherine. He knows they're all lying, but why?

A large part of the story starts in 1917, the year Daisy met Gatsby, and follows the women to 1922. The mystery is what drew me in, but ultimately it's very slow burn and I ended up staying for the beautiful writing and compelling characters.

I was really curious if/how this book would change my opinion on these characters because we only know them through the snippets we got of them through Nick's POV. Cantor beautifully expanded on each woman, gave them more depth and personality, and I left this book seeing them in a completely new light. All the while staying 100% true to their portrayal in the original classic. Honestly, Nick was so far up Gatby's ass, a different POV can change everything.

This book felt like a realistic extension of the original. It was fantastic. Highly recommend. ✨

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the beautiful art deco cover. There's something so nostalgic about the 1920s and I enjoy stories that take place during this time. Beautiful Little Fools is well written. The author has created a great reimagining of the classic The Great Gatsby told from the point of view of the women in the story. I really appreciated her note at the end, as it helped me to understand her approach to writing the story, specifically the character development. An enjoyable read!

[Brooke - Brooke's Reading Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

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**4.5 stars**

Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor. (2022).

On a sultry August day in 1922, Jay Gatsby is shot dead in his West Egg swimming pool. It seems to be a murder/suicide by George Wilson. Then a diamond hairpin is discovered near the pool and three women fall under suspicion. Daisy once thought she might marry Gatsby before a family tragedy resulted in her marriage to philandering Tom. Jordan, Daisy's best friend, guards a secret that derailed her promising golf career. Catherine, a suffragette, fights for women's freedom and independence and for her sister Myrtle Wilson who is in a terrible marriage. Each woman is pulled into Jay Gatsby's romantic obsession, with devastating consequences.

As soon as I heard about this novel I was looking forward to it, especially because the author wrote one of my favourite books of 2021 ('Half Life'). This one did not disappoint at all. The premise of this novel is that it is a reimagining of the classic 'The Great Gatsby'; only it is told from the women's perspective and turns Gatsby's death into a murder mystery. Alternating between Daisy, Jordan and Catherine, we get several sides to the same story in the context of three intelligent and complex women who are living in a time period where men had dominant power and control over them. A fourth viewpoint is also featured: a detective looking into the case; he is basically the only likeable male character in this story as far as I'm concerned. I thought this was an intriguing novel and I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
Overall: highly recommend this engrossing novel for anyone that enjoys historical fiction, retellings of stories, and/or mystery fiction.

[Judy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

Highly impressive, one of the most highly anticipated historical fictional literary reimagining of 2022—the brilliantly crafted novel exceeded all expectations and more!

Move over
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Nick Carraway
Jay Gatsby
Tom Buchanan

The WOMEN of THE GREAT GATSBY
return to tell the "real story."

Jillian Cantor
Daisy Buchanan
Jordan Baker
Catherine McCoy

"I hope she'll be a fool—that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool."
—Daisy Buchanan in THE GREAT GATSBY.

Jillian Cantor is at the "top of her game" as the ladies of Gatsby take center stage in this breathtaking retelling, BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOLS.

A MODERN TWIST ON A LITERARY CLASSIC.

I have been a big fan of The Great Gatsby for many years, reading all the books, editions, movies, etc., time and time again. I even purchased and re-read the new Collector's Edition special edition, which came out in 2021, and the audiobook narrated by Tanner Buchanan (Blackstone).

However, once you read this sizzling tale by the talented Jillian Cantor, you will fall in love with the women of The Great Gatsby in a new light, and I found myself enjoying it more than the original.

In the original story, told by Nick Carraway and his allure with the enigmatic Jay Gatsby, BEAUTIFUL LOOK FOOLS conveys a different story told from the women's POV. (Daisy, Jordan, and Catherine). We also have Detective Frank Charles, who adds another bit of mystery.

A total package. I adored: the stunning front cover, the well-developed characters that came alive on the page, vivid settings, the lyrical prose, the passion, the meticulous research, the precise and attention to detail, and most of all, the fabulous "Essay by Jillian" included at the end of the novel! (I wish more authors would do so). I am all about behind-the-scenes and inspiration. MARVELOUS!

Oh, and please do not let me forget a major highlight. The audiobook was award-winning with an all-star cast of some of my favorite performers: Cassandra Campbell, Julia Whelan, Brittany Pressley, Elizabeth Evans, and George Newburn by HarperAudio. Exceptional!

Everyone loves the glitz and glamour and the recklessness of Daisy and Tom, Jay Gatsby, the mysterious Jordan (female golfer), Myrtle trapped in a loveless marriage with the abusive mechanic, and the tenacious Catherine pursuing her suffragette efforts but what IF?

Behind all the drunken parties, infidelity, affairs, murder, darkness, lies, egos, deceit, secrets, love, loss, and glamour—we find friendship, loyalty, motherhood, sisterhood, survival, self-discovery, and the importance of home among these often misunderstood women. Jillian provides a voice—think they would be proud.

An ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions (an extensive Reading Group Guide included).

Beautifully rendered, I read this in one sitting and purchased the hardcover, e-book, and audio. A must-read for all home libraries!

Well done! Thank you for writing this incredible masterpiece literary fans will cherish—a classic story from the perspective of the female characters that will linger long after the book ends.

Blog Review Posted
#JDCMustReadBooks | @JudithDCollins
My Rating: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
5/of 5 Stars +++
Top Books of 2022
Pub Date: 02/01/2022
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[Darlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 40%

I'll start with what was done well in this book - the use of language. The author is truly a master of the written word. There are some great quotes to be found here. I really wanted to like this book because of the beautifully written words and that is why I took so long to give up on it.

Pretty words can't hold up on their own. Eventually they need to actually tell an interesting story. I kept waiting for that to happen and it just didn't. I also always love a good anti-heroin, and I think that is what Daisy was shaping up to be, but she was so poorly developed as a character that I just couldn't root for her. In 150 pages she made one poor choice and never had another thought in her pretty, little head. Aside from this, all I know about are the things that happened to her.

I am still not sure whether the protagonist is Daisy or Jordan. Jordan feels like she should be the sidekick, but she is actually the most developed character in the book so far. That bar is low, but I do know a little of what goes on in Jordan's head. Unfortunately, she's still a pretty flat, dull character.

Aside from the poor character development, the plot is a very thin mystery. I know from the beginning who shot Gatsby, but I don't know why. Unfortunately, I also don't care. I have no attachment to anyone in the story. Time to set this one aside. I will give it two stars instead of my usual one star for DNFs only because of the beauty of the language.

[Justin Chen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Re-imagining The Great Gatsby as a gossipy whodunit with middling result, Beautiful Little Fools has the ambition to focus the lens on the female characters of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic (even adding new ones to the mix), but the absence of stylish flair and compelling insight makes one questions if the experiment was actually worthwhile.

From the synopsis, I was expecting Beautiful Little Fools to be a direct continuation, with 3 women under suspect to be the true culprit towards Jay Gatsby's demise. But in reality, Beautiful Little Fools is a little bit of everything: it's a prequel (3 women's origin stories before The Great Gatsby), a retelling (roughly 30% of it is The Great Gatsby, the CliffsNotes edition), as well as a sequel (the investigation).

With so much grounds to cover, Beautiful Little Fools feels rushed, an onslaught of info dump and scenes (first love, infidelity, blackmail), but without the emotional lead-up making readers feel sympathetic or care. The bare-bones writing style also doesn't provide any evocative ambience to fill in the lapse in plotting. The 'women under suspicion' angle is also hilariously irrelevant, to the point these investigation chapters can be taken out, and made no impact to the overall plot. Which is a shame, because that perspective could've been the defining differentiator elevating Beautiful Little Fools beyond the framework defined by Fitzgerald's original.

Beautiful Little Fools is ultimately an inoffensive soap opera in Jazz Age sparkles; it has superficially broadened the scope, but at the same time constrained by its own rules. The fact it has to incorporate The Great Gatsby right in the middle of its own storytelling has ruined some of the suspense, as well as making a selection of its narrative choices highly questionable. Overall, a passable curiosity if you are seeking more The Great Gatsby-related content.

*This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**

[Basic B's Guide · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 sizzling stars for this reimagined tale. Big Little Lies meets The Great Gatsby. Highly recommend the full cast audiobook.

For the reader that loves when women take back their power.  This is a reimagination of the classic: The Great Gatsby.  I’m not a classic lover, don’t love reimaginations and haven’t been in a historical fiction mood forever, yet I adored this book.  That just shows you how talented Jillian Cantor is.  Lucky for me, I have a few more of her books on my shelves just waiting for me.  I adored this fully casted audiobook and don’t fret at all if you haven’t read the classic. I read the cliff notes briefly after Jamie gave me the side-eye but I think you’ll be just fine without doing so.  If you’re a fan of the classic, then do not fear as Jamie and Julia both loved this reimagination too.  I think this feminist spin will be a hit for many.⁣

[Zoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

fuck universal healthcare, my 2024 election platform is to ban all gatsby retellings

[Lisa Guzman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think if you love The Great Gatsby you will not love this. That is my experience with it—the writing in Gatsby is so beautiful, and this reads like a romance novel. I mostly skimmed it because I did not enjoy the writing pretty much at all. I was curious to see what choice was made as to who was ultimately responsible for Gatsby’s death, but that was pretty much the only thing that kept me skimming. I don’t recommend it.