The Pursued and the Pursuing

I distinctly remember reading the web novella that would eventually become this final book years ago in college. I had read the Great Gatsby before for school, but the movie had prompted me to take a second look at the text, particularly the relationship between Nick and Gatsby. The beautiful cover only enticed me further and I knew I had to read it again. I'm delighted to say this is better than I remember it being, and I remember loving that novella quite well. Of course seeing Nick and Gatsby come together, with a slight deviation from the novel's events, is quite good. that should almost go without saying. But yes, the book really picks up when Pam enters the picture and we get found queer family. From here we see an older Nick and Gatsby and how their personalities have changed and settled with time, to the point that Nick even self-deprecatingly notes they seemed to have switched roles at times. The book is really quite charming, with Nick and Gatsby's relationship remaining steadfast through life's obstacles. I also appreciate the little touches that transport us back in time to an earlier era - discussions of WWI, worry as WWII started up, as well as smaller touches such as characters having to hunt for a phone. Plus, the language overall feels true to the characters and Fitzgerald's style - I don't envy anyone who tries to emulate that and Odasso has succeeded quite well at the task. Do I have any criticisms Perhaps the only thing I can point to is that, for me…

Love, love, LOVE (sorry for shouting ) yet , wanted to make sure , everyone knows I love this reimagined take on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Highly recommend to all whom loved the original and loves MM romance.

AJ Odasso's The Pursued and the Pursuing, an alternate ending and retelling of The Great Gatsby, is one of the first books in months that I couldn't bear to put down. It has been a while since I read the famous original text, but my memories of me definitely left me wishing for something different, something distinct, and this satisfied that among other things! Before I give any details, I will say that I haven't seen the related film, but I didn't feel I needed to. There are spoilers in this review, but the significant ones will be spoiler tagged! Even as someone who hasn't recently read the book, I felt like Odasso's natural skill in establishing character notes shone through. We start in media res, a hiccup before the official end of The Great Gatsby, where Jay Gatsby himself has been shot. Instead of him dying, he's rescued by Nick Carraway and while publicly Jay Gatsby dies, Jay Gatz has new life. They go on to have a life together in love, finding their passions in both their professions (Nick as a writer for the Boston Globe and novels, Jay in restoring boats - something I appreciated because after his injury, he's established to be disabled, but nonetheless gets to live a life doing labor that he enjoys, and as a disabled person, I rarely see disabled characters get to go on to happily do physical jobs!), and later, become the caretakers for Daisy Buchanan's daughter Pam when it becomes clear that Daisy's wishes for Pam do not match up with Pam's desires. The story…

I didn’t know I needed this alternative ending to The Gatsby! It was fun, filled with love, sex times, and just plain being very much in love with each other.

I enjoyed this, but it wasn't quite what I was hoping for. The cozy elements are pleasant, and it's okay as a fix it fic, but it doesn't really stand on its own. It's also much more of a sequel than a retelling, which is what I was hoping for, and its very meandering rather than pacy or exciting. There was also a lack of realism and conflict or development in the long term relationship. I like long term relationships in fiction, and I think they're under explored, but this didn't ring true to life for me. There is also a very superficial approach to the historical context and issues in a way that felt shallow to me. It was okay, and I didn't hate it, but it wasn't quite what I was hoping for.