The Stats

Title: Beautiful Little Fools

Author: Jillian Cantor

Publisher: Harper Perennial (1 Feb, 2022)

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women’s Fiction

Trigger Warnings: Sexism, Violence

Read if you like: The Gilded Age, F. Scott Fitzgerald,

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Thank you to Jillian Cantor, Harper Perennial, and NetGalley for providing me with an electrical Advanced Review Copy of Beautiful Little Fools. All opinions mentioned in this review are my own.

Feature Image taken from The Avid Pen

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The Review

Beautiful Little Fools is a captivating retelling of The Great Gatsby from the perspectives of the various women in the story. Told from four different viewpoints – Daisy, Jay Gatsby, Catherine, and Jordan – the novel explores the relationships and secrets of each character as they navigate love, loss, and personal identity in the tumultuous era of World War II.

One of the standout elements of the book is its well-developed and empathetic characters. Daisy, in particular, is a relatable and sympathetic figure as she grapples with a loveless marriage and the weight of her own mistakes. Jordan also stands out as a character struggling to find her place and be true to herself in a society that often ostracizes those who defy societal norms.

While some may find the pacing of the novel to be slow at times, the rich character development and immersive historical setting more than make up for it. The mystery of Jay Gatsby’s death adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story, and the satisfying conclusion ties up loose ends in a way that feels true to the characters and their journeys.

Overall, Beautiful Little Fools is a beautifully written and emotionally impactful novel that fans of The Great Gatsby and historical fiction will not want to miss.

I give this novel a 4 out of 5 stars!