Self-Made Boys is described as a Great Gatsby remix, but I might be more inclined to say it’s inspired by The Great Gatsby rather than an actual retelling. Some major changes include:

1. Many characters are not white but POC.
2. Gatsby and Nick are both transgender boys.
3. All the protagonists are in their late teens.
4. All the protagonists are gay/lesbian.

These changes are certainly not bad, and I did enjoy the story overall, but I was hoping for something a little closer to the original, particularly with regards to the protagonists’ ages. It just felt very strange for some of the story details (i.e. Gatsby in the war and having such wealth) to have already happened by their late teens. Also, as another reviewer mentioned, most of the characters in this version are generally likeable and “good,” something that makes sense for a YA story but definitely keeps this from having as much of an emotional “punch” as the original.

Overall, an entertaining, well-written YA story that borrows elements from The Great Gatsby more than it retells or “remixes” it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC for review.

The least awful Tom is still terrible. Daisy without a baby is still annoying. No queer Gatsby retelling has let me down yet. This one is surprisingly fast-paced with the most likable versions of all the characters yet. But don't mistake YA for fluffy. This book has depths, and I don't just mean Gatsby's pool.

Wow! Wow! Wow! I gobbled this up. It was everything I didn’t know I needed. The representation was mind blowing. We had a whole cast of gay, trans, lesbian characters and most were Latine! I never expected to enjoy a classic remixed, but boy am I glad I gave this a chance. I loved it so much!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for granting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore releases September 6, 2022!

This was such a delight! I adored everything about this retelling, from Nick’s cluelessnes in myriad social situations (relatable) and the casual acceptance of his family to how both casual and unconscious racism was handled and challenged. The reframing of Jay's love and desire to marry Daisy was absolutely perfect, suited to the time period and social conventions while making sense of his goals in staying true to the original story.

Throughout the prose, the author created a lush feeling via emphasis on texture and color in keeping with the original, though some descriptions were repetitive along with a couple other rough spots that should have been smoothed during editing. I would have enjoyed the ending being drawn out just a bit more as it felt rushed to the point of confusion at times, but overall still had an incredibly fun time enjoying this one and will soon be seeking out more works by this author!

I really wanted to enjoy this. The story was compelling, and the centering of trans people of color was fabulous. That said, I didn't think the writing was particularly well done, and though I understand that this book is not necessarily meant to be historically accurate, there were some mentions that gave me pause, particularly the cost of the necklace. $350,000 would be about $6 MILLION in today's money. I know that Tom's family is wealthy, but this figure was distractingly laughable to me. I also am not sure that making this a YA story worked for me. The motivations of the characters and the situations they're in just... didn't make sense for their age. I understand that this is a YA retelling of a classic adult novel but something just didn't work for me. That said, it was an easy, fun, glittering read, even if it was a little ridiculous at times.

I loved this so much. All the remixed classics have been great, but this is a new personal favorite. I loved how Daisy had more depth but was still infuriating. The twist on the original ending was perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Full disclosure: I have never actually read The Great Gatsby all the way through. I’ve read bits and pieces, seen parts of the movies, and am familiar with its themes and the general discourse around it, but it was never assigned reading in any of my classes and it didn’t particularly appeal to me enough for me to pick it up independently.

But thiiisss version? With its gay, trans, and/or Latine versions of the characters? And it’s (slight spoiler alert!) happier ending? This is a version I can throw my full support behind. It’s still set in the 1920s, but I feel it more fully embodies the current idea of the American dream, because it imagines the dreams of those who aren’t just cis straight white men, and I think that’s really beautiful.

Plus the romances are super cute and the descriptions of the clothes are to-die-for. Sooo. A+.

• Fancy Parties
• 1920’s New York
• LGBTQIA+ Representation

Nicolás Caraveo is a Latino, self-made boy in the 1920’s heading to New York to meet up with his cousin, Daisy Fay and to send money back to help his parents. Except Daisy has bleached her hair almost blonde and whitened her skin to pass as white. She also denies that they’re related and says that his family was part of her help. As the story unfolds, other characters appear, and this book made me keep guessing!

I really enjoyed this reimagining of “The Great Gatsby”. While it follows the same premise and people, it felt totally original. Anna-Marie McLemore did an outstanding job with this one and I cannot wait to read more!

<i>Thank you to Anna-Marie McLemore, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Feiwil & Friends, and NetGalley for the Audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.<i>

#Self-MadeBoys #AnnaMarieMcLemore #MacmillanChildrensPublishingGroup #FeiwilandFriends #NetGalley #ARC

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of Self-Made Boys.

The first half of this book was rough for me to get into. Everyone is aged down to be teenagers, and that didn't really work. I know it's a retelling turning this into a young adult book, but the timeline of Gatsby falling in love with Daisy, going to war, and returning to become a bootlegger all before he is 19 seemed odd. Also, it's never explained how he was able to make it as a trans man in the army. I get enlisting underage, but I feel like at some time they would have noticed Gatsby was not like the other boys. And Daisy starts out just as annoying as in the original so...pretty bad.

The second half really picks up and kept me reading past my bedtime. The ultimate conclusion and Daisy's character made the ending of the book. I thought the author also did an amazing job representing the hardships of the Latine and queer communities at the time without directly using slurs.

I adored Self-Made Boys! I hadn’t read The Great Gatsby since I was in high school, which I think helped the story not feel as “remixed” to me; I had a general idea of all the characters and some of the plot.

What stood out to me the most was the community Nick found with Gatsby and through Gatsby. Nick and Gatsby’s relationship was lovely to see develop. In the author’s note, McLemore describes this idea of the American dream and the idea of a “self-made man”. I really enjoyed this idea of Nick and Jay growing and finding their way through adulthood and this idea of the American dream as literal “self made boys”.

Self-Made Boys is another great queer historical story with two incredible trans protagonists, and a strong ensemble of other LGBT+ people.

I am always a bit skeptical when walking into a retelling but McLemore gives this classic an updated and fresh reimagining. I loved the queering of this classic novel and think it works perfectly. McLemore breathes life into all the characters and I loved and was rooting for them all, even Daisy (I mean, except for Tom...he's still a jerk). Oh, and Meyer Wolfsheim is now the most interesting and cool lesbian. The slow-burn romance(s) made me so happy. Readers are also introduced to life in 1922 New York, the stock market, lavender marriages, and 1920s queer community. I really appreciated the look at gender roles and the racism felt by some of the characters (many who were ignored in Fitzgeralds original story). Richly imagined, wonderfully Latinx, this book looks at identity and acceptance and I loved every minute of it.
This is part of Macmillan's Remixed Classics series where authors from diverse backgrounds take different literary classics and reinterpret them through their own unique cultural lens. I think this is an exciting way to get new readers interested in classic stories but I wonder if students who haven't been introduced to The Great Gatsby yet will enjoy it as much as someone familiar with the story. I will be curious to hear what students have to say!

First off this cover is beautiful. The title caught my eye second, but the cover it really nice. I just wanted to get this out the way.
Now for the bad,. When I first started reading this, I knew that I was going to have to change my mindset from how I remember reading the Great Gatsby. I knew that this was going to be different, but when I met the characters, they didn't pop out at me. I struggled to read through the first few chapters. I really could not get into it. I struggled and I think that may have been just me.
However, I got passed the struggle and what greeted me was a good book that definitely deviates from the original. I loved the original, and I started to love the remixed version of it.

The author does a great job in portraying the 1920's with a small twist. She also retains the key elements from the Great Gatsby. Reading at Nicholas and Jay fall in love, noticing how I was starting to enjoy Daisy's character as she portrays a desirable high class woman, it made me want to watch the Great Gatsby again.

As soon as I saw the cover for Self-Made Boys, I knew I had to read it. Then, when I heard it was a queer Great Gatsby reimagining, I was so excited! Before I get into the review though, in full transparency, I’ve never actually read the Great Gatsby. I’ve definitely heard a lot about it, but since it wasn’t required reading for me in high school, I never got around to picking it up. So, for all of you wondering if you need to read the Great Gatsby before this one, I’m happy to report that you don’t! I had zero issues following along.

I did, however, go to SparkNotes about halfway through just to compare the two out of curiosity, and I was so impressed with how Anna-Marie McLemore was able to faithfully retell the tale, while also adding their own unique twists and spins to it. The Great Gatsby was clearly the source material, but Self-Made Boys can 100% stand on its own.

If you’re wondering whether or not I liked it…I LOVED IT. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately, but once I started this one, I physically could not stop except to eat and sleep. I read it in two sittings and completely devoured it.

It was so refreshing and just so wonderful to see a historical novel (and a retelling of a classic at that), redone with a queer lens. I’ve read a few queer historical fiction books, but they usually don’t end happily because of the time they’re set in. This book did take a couple of liberties, as the author explains in their author note, just so that the characters could fully be who they are, and I loved that. I want to see more of this!!

The cast of characters were incredibly compelling and interesting. I especially loved following Nick’s journey. He was so loveably oblivious about everyday life, while simultaneously an absolute genius in other aspects. Though to be fair, I can’t say I’d have reacted any differently than he did if I’d been in his shoes. I don’t pick up context well and everyone thought they weren’t being subtle, but they definitely were!

As for the other characters, at first glance, Jay was an enigma, one Nick desperately wanted to solve. His development was subtle but loud, which I think is a great way to describe Jay. On the outside, he appears so mysterious and confident in his life and parties, but on the inside, he’s just like the rest of us, looking for someone he can be himself around and confide in.

Daisy was particularly interesting because this story would not exist without her, and she added so much to the plot, but I also wanted to strangle her at times! She’s definitely one of those characters you love to hate. She does do a lot of growing throughout the story though, and I thought it was great to see that journey.

Finally, I loved Jordan’s character, and I adored the twist revealed at the end (which I won’t get into because of spoilers, but I squealed!! I also called it, which always makes me even more excited). Her friendship with Nick was my favorite of the book. I also loved her attitude!

As for Nick and Jay’s relationship, it can best be described as a slow burn, and I really do love a good slow burn. The two immediately connected, but their bond gradually grew and developed as the book went on. All of their moments together were so sweet and filled with chemistry. From the very first moment they met, I was rooting for them and their relationship. It also made me so happy to see two trans boys finding each in this particular time period. I’ve seen queer relationships in historical fiction before, but I believe this is my first time reading about trans characters in a historical setting. Seeing this perspective is so important. I hope schools will one day require this one after completing their study of the Great Gatsby. So much can be learned from Self-Made Boys, and wow, did it pull on my heartstrings.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the writing style! It was so lyrical, each sentence flowing effortlessly from one to the other. Sometimes writing like this can border on purple prose (which I cannot stand), but this was the perfect mix of expressive writing without going overboard.

There is honestly so much I could still say about this book. I will be so surprised if this doesn’t make it into my top ten favorite reads by the end of the year. It was such a beautiful, heartbreaking, yet uplifting story of diverse characters trying to find their place in the world, while also fitting into what society demands. I cannot recommend Self-Made Boys enough, and I hope you all read it!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Admittedly, I’ve never read or seen any of “The Great Gatsby” books or movies, so I sort of went into this blind. Having zero context of the original story, I still enjoyed it, but don’t know how close or far this was from the original source material.

This book is part of the author’s “Remix” series, where they put twists on modern classics. Nicolás Caraveo is a 17-year-old Latinx trans boy who leaves his small town in Wisconsin to pursue a better life for him and his family in New York. Daisy, his cousin, is swept up by the rich aristocrat lifestyle, who picks up a fiancé, and tries to erase all parts of her Latine heritage to try and fit in. And finally Jay Gatsby, the mysterious man who lives in a castle-like mansion, throws extravagant parties, is smitten on hooking Daisy for himself, and is also discovered to be trans.

Set in the 1920s, the author does a great job of conveying how people of color and queer folx were regarding without using any derogatory terms or slurs of the era. Even when it’s just alluded, you can still pick up on the general feelings being projected. They also do a good job of educating the reader on how queer people partook in lavender marriages to not only put on a front, but allow them to love who they wanted to love without persecution.

The story has some great twists, love triangles, mysterious disappearances of expensive jewelry, and fake deaths making this a pretty fast-paced read. I really enjoyed the descriptive way the author set the mood and tone for all the things the characters were experiencing via smells and use of color to really make the imagination run wild.


Definitely recommend.

I've read several of McLemore's previous books, but this is easily my new favorite. I have always been a The Great Gatsby fan, and nothing has renewed my love for it more than the queer reimaginings that have been coming out since the story became public domain.

This one is definitely more of a reimagining than a retelling. For the part it followed close to the story it felt more like an adaptation of the Leo DiCaprio movie than the original book, but past the first 30% or so the only recognizable bits are the biggest plot moments of the book.

I really enjoyed the t4t romance between Gatsby and Nick, even if it did rely heavily on the miscommunication trope. I especially loved how many of the characters in the book, named and unnamed, were queer. And I appreciated how it ended.

4.5 stars

It's New York City in 1922 and Nicolás Caraveo, a trans boy, is making his way there to earn money for his family back in Minnesota. It's also a chance for him to completely re-invent his life as a man. At the encouragement of his cousin Daisy, he takes the leap of faith and rents a house in West Egg.

Nick's neighbor happens to be a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby, known for the elaborate parties he throws. After going to one of Gatsby's parties, Nick learns that they're just to win back Daisy. Nick also learns something else: Jay is also transgender. The two form a friendship, a friendship that eventually evolves into something more for Nick. But will Jay ever reciprocate?

Thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel and Friends for an advanced copy of Self-Made Boys to review! I love Anna-Marie McLemore as a writer, and I was excited to see what they did with the Gatsby story. So happy to say that I wasn't disappointed!

Honestly, I could take it or leave it about The Great Gatsby; read it for school, and it's fine. Not my favorite classic. But let me tell you, McLemore absolutely nails the feel of that book in this one. I read in another review that this isn't so much a Great Gatsby retelling as much as fanfiction. I'd say that's accurate. McLemore took liberties with the story, and I actually appreciated the changes that were made.

At the end of the book, McLemore does explain that they tried to be as historically accurate as possible while also allowing Nick and Jay to be themselves. Their evolving relationship was probably my favorite thing about the book. That and Nick's oblivious nature. There was so much going on under his nose that he didn't even realize. When he finally realizes it, it was great.

Daisy gets a redemption arc in this, too! the explanation for everything at end was just great. They're all supporting each other in a society that wouldn't accept them. And they all deserve their happy endings. One hundred percent.

All in all, if you're excited about diverse re-tellings of classics, definitely pick this one up in September!

5 stars

In the year and a half since The Great Gatsby went into the public domain, I have seen a myriad of retellings hit the shelves. Self-Made Boys is the third such book that I have picked up in that time; in addition, it is also the second Remixed Classic that I have read and the second book I have picked up by McLemore.

Even before reading the author's note, it is immensely clear how much the original story of Gatsby has haunted McLemore. They have taken such immense care in preserving the themes and ideas of the original novel while refracting it through the lens of their own lived experience. In my opinion, this is an absolute masterclass in how to execute a successful retelling.

Self Made Boys brims with color, with passion, with heart, and with yearning. It is an utter triumph of a novel and I could not recommend it enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Time for Ross to keep this short and sweet. I love a story with an LGBTQ main character, and this book had one. Those stories are amazing. I did love the romance element of the story, but I think most of it went over my head, because I have never read the Great Gatsby. So overall OI enjoyed this book, but I would recommend reading the Great Gatsby first.

Gatsby and I may have been nothing to men like Tom Buchanan, but men like that did not know that we were as divine as the heavens. We were boys who had created ourselves. We had formed our own bodies, our own lives, from the ribs of the girls we were once assumed to be.”

Did you feel like Nick was in love with Jay when you were forced to read The Great Gatsby in high school? If so, (and even if you didn’t), Anna-Marie McLemore’s Great Gatsby retelling, Self-Made Boys, is a must read. The book follows trans boy Nicolás Caraveo as he ventures to New York City to earn money to send back to his family. Along the way he finds that his cousin Daisy has turned her back on their heritage and is now passing as white, and his charming yet mysterious neighbor Jay Gatsby is a trans boy just like him. The writing is stunning, with descriptions of the clothing and gardens as extravagant as one of Gatsby’s parties. McLemore artfully balances the reality of racism, misogyny and transphobia of the 1920’s with the magic and joy that is being trans and queer. The majority queer cast of characters opens a refreshing perspective on a classic story. I’ve read over 100 LGBTQ books this year, and this ranks in the top 10! It made my queer little heart sing.

"Stonewall Honor recipient and two-time National Book Award Longlist selectee Anna-Marie McLemore weaves an intoxicating tale of glamor and heartache in Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix, part of the Remixed Classics series.

New York City, 1922. Nicolás Caraveo, a 17-year-old transgender boy from Wisconsin, has no interest in the city’s glamor. Going to New York is all about establishing himself as a young professional, which could set up his future - and his life as a man - and benefit his family.

Nick rents a small house in West Egg from his 18-year-old cousin, Daisy Fabrega, who lives in fashionable East Egg near her wealthy fiancé, Tom - and Nick is shocked to find that his cousin now goes by Daisy Fay, has erased all signs of her Latine heritage, and now passes seamlessly as white.

Nick's neighbor in West Egg is a mysterious young man named Jay Gatsby, whose castle-like mansion is the stage for parties so extravagant that they both dazzle and terrify Nick. At one of these parties, Nick learns that the spectacle is all meant to impress a girl from Jay's past - Daisy. And he learns something else: Jay is also transgender.

As Nick is pulled deeper into the glittery culture of decadence, he spends more time with Jay, aiming to help his new friend reconnect with his lost love. But Nick's feelings grow more complicated when he finds himself falling hard for Jay's openness, idealism, and unfounded faith in the American Dream."

THE version of The Great Gatsby we've been waiting for. Nick always was drawn to Jay!