Read of the Week: Great by Sara Benincasa

In Sara Benincasa’s contemporary retelling of The Great Gatsby, a teenage girl becomes entangled in the drama of a Hamptons social circle, only to be implicated in a tragedy that shakes the summer community.

Everyone loves a good scandal.

Naomi Rye usually dreads spending the summer with her socialite mother in East Hampton. This year is no different. She sticks out like a sore thumb among the teenagers who have been summering (a verb only the very rich use) together for years. But Naomi finds herself captivated by her mysterious next-door neighbor, Jacinta. Jacinta has her own reason for drawing close to Naomi-to meet the beautiful and untouchable Delilah Fairweather. But Jacinta’s carefully constructed world is hiding something huge, a secret that could undo everything. And Naomi must decide how far she is willing to be pulled into this web of lies and deception before she is unable to escape.

Based on a beloved classic and steeped in Sara Benincasa’s darkly comic voice, Great has all the drama, glitz, and romance with a terrific modern (and scandalous) twist to enthrall readers.

Fairy tale re-tellings? We love them to death. Hell, how many times have I read a Snow White retelling in the past two years? Too many. And reviewed it, along with that? Also too many.

But a Gatsby retelling? Um, where has this been hiding for so long? And why did it take this long, anyways?

Midnight in Paris took long enough, but this? I can only imagine the kind of money that publishing companies would be making if they had a few more retellings of Fitzgerald’s stories. Or do these exist? I will do research later.

UPDATE: Some of these do exist? Not really? Not many? Not enough?

I don’t know. This is my five cents on the subject, I’m done ranting now. My opinion isn’t that important anyways. But, in conclusion, note from a fellow book lover: Gatsby and anything that mentions Fitzgerald at a passing glance is worth all of our time.

Moving on, wow, okay, how am I even supposed to move on? This book is like the Mean Girls of the Gatsby world. Another reason to love this world: Gatsby and Mean Girls. In one sentence. Together. Beautiful.

Also, fashion is involved. And romance. And drama. And Twitter? Yes, there’s Twitter. And summer. The kind Olaf likes. And the Hamptons.

I feel obligated to include OMG somewhere in this review. The urge is gone now. Thank you.

I think I’m having troubles writing proper sentences, and I’m trying not to feel bad for myself but I’m still not done with finals and it’s the last day of April and I’m writing a review I probably won’t release for another three months.

I don’t even think I know what I’m doing anymore.

I’m sorry, World. Or, at least, the few people who read my reviews.

That cover is also fabulous. Like, I don’t remember the last time my mascara came out that good. And that cat eye is so working.

Admittedly, a lot of what you’re going to think about Great has to do with, of course, what and how you react/feel about The Great Gatsby.

You don’t like The Great Gatsby? Why are you reading a retelling of The Great Gatsby?

You like The Great Gatsby? Great, you will like Great. *giggles*

You love The Great Gatsby? You probably don’t need to read this review because your mind is made?

Okay, now that I’m done pointing out the obvious, I’m personally a big fan of The Great Gatsby and all the anguish that comes with it, so this is exactly my cup of tea. A trend I’ve noticed among other reviewers is that Gatsby haters or non-readers haven’t enjoyed Great, at all. So, well, there you go. Past this point I’m not even sure what I’m going to tell you.

There’s an interesting voice. Good setting. Some funky parallels and such and it’s all pretty groovy, so if you’re a fan of the Gerald man give it a go.

I’m so sorry for my language. I will go retire now.

And, there I go again.

Rating: 7.5/10