Now that I have finished both books, here is a deeper dive on the similarities and differences are between the two novels:
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Anna-Marie McLemore’s Self-Made Boys have many things in common, particularly themes, characters, and narrative. Both novels take place during 1920s America, duringthe Roaring Twenties’, social inequalities, and aspiration. Both novels track the pursuit of riches and social standing, with an emphasis on characters seeking to recreate themselves, the Great Gatsby being Gatsby trying to rekindle his love for Daisy, and Self made boys Nick Carraway. Societal pressure-informed romantic relationships are key themes to both novels. Self-Made Boys also retells The Great Gatsby, unfolding the same events but with a different plot and major aspect changes, like identity and it involves a lot of queerness. The two novels also reflect on the American Dream, questioning if it is indeed possible to achieve success and renewal within society, which it is proven to be based off of opportunity.
Even with all the similarities, however, the two novels are quite different in perspective and identity. The Great Gatsby is narrated in the voice of Nick Carraway, a passive narrator, Self-Made Boys follows the life of Nicolás Caraveo, a trans Latino kid from Wisconsin, and Daisy, a Latina, in a more diverse and intimate manner. Self-Made Boys explicitly explores queer and trans identity, whereas The Great Gatsby only hints at queerness. This wasn’t too popular at the time of the 1920s. Race and ethnicity also set the two novels apart, as Fitzgerald’s novel is focused on white characters, while Anna McLemore’s retelling introduces Latinx and BIPOC characters. Lastly, the tone and message of the novels differ, with The Great Gatsby reflecting a bleaker view of the American Dream, and Self-Made Boys reflecting a retold, diverse vision of ambition and identity.