Book Review: Daisy by Libby Sternberg

About the Book:

Title: Daisy

Author: Libby Sternberg

Page Length: 232

Publication Date: Sept. 13, 2022

Publisher: Bancroft Press

Synopsis: A fresh take on classic characters, Daisy gives readers insight into Daisy Buchanan’s viewpoint of the events of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. While simultaneously remaining true to the original and adding new information, Sternberg weaves Daisy’s perspective and Nick Carraway’s account together, correcting what Daisy knows is inaccurate from her cousin’s novel. Sternberg pulls readers in from the first page, and while the outcome of Daisy and Gatsby’s affair is universally known, readers still cannot help but root for the pair.

As the novel progresses, the tension in Daisy’s love life heightens the stakes, and while it’s easy to want to see Daisy and Jay make it work, the reader can also feel Daisy’s ambiguous feelings about leaving her husband for Gatsby. As the story climaxes, readers are left feeling as confused as Daisy is in regard to the decisions she needs to make. While there are noticeable changes to the overall story―it is a different perspective, after all―Daisy provides readers of romantic and/or feminist fiction and fans of The Great Gatsby alike with a satisfying story that is faithful to the original, yet unique in its own right.

LINKS:   Goodreads   |    Amazon

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My Review:

As a high school English teacher, I taught The Great Gatsby many times. A classic by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gatsby was canon for our American Literature class. So, when I was asked to read Daisy, a reimagining of Gatsby from Daisy’s point of view, I couldn’t resist.

I enjoy retellings that give a voice to characters that were originally voiceless, much like Daisy felt in The Great Gatsby. Sternberg presents a layered and compelling woman torn between societal expectations and her desire for freedom. The story offers a fresh perspective and highlights many of the struggles women, particularly Daisy, faced. It’s an interesting perspective, especially because Daisy is presented in such a different light in the original story. Here we see a woman coming into her own who doesn’t want to be beholden to any man, even the man she loves. I love this take on Daisy. She’s far more astute and intelligent than the men in her life give her credit for.

A woman beaten down and emotionally manipulated by a domineering husband who uses condescension and physical violence to keep her submissive, Daisy proves she is not the weak, incompetent fool her husband takes her for. Instead, we see an outspoken, independent-thinking woman with her own ways of dealing with all life has thrown at her. It’s a fascinating examination of a woman that had a secondary role in the original story, despite her importance.

I also like that the roles of Nick and Daisy are reversed, in that he has a much smaller role in this story, which parallels Daisy’s in the original. Though they are both pivotal to the plot, Daisy finally has the chance to tell her side of the story. I love that instead of getting the slightly distanced perspective of her cousin, we get a behind-the-scenes look at what happened. This results in a more intimate look at the relationships and events that defined Daisy, Gatsby, and Tom.

A fresh take on the Fitzgerald classic, Daisy is an enchanting story with a few new twists that I loved. Thanks so much to Page Turner Publicity for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

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Rating:

Favorite Parts:

• The new perspective.

• The writing style.

• Daisy!

Favorite Line:

We all acted on a stage, a comedy with tragic overtones where the jester garners all your sympathy right before his death scene.

Recommendations:

I would recommend Daisy to readers who enjoy retellings or literary fiction.