THE GATSBY GAMBIT

Anderson-Wheeler’s fiction debut revisits Jay Gatsby’s legendary West Egg estate but, this time, the emphasis is on a previously unheard-of member of the Gatsby family: Greta. Known as Gigi to her older brother, Greta has just returned to Jay’s sprawling Long Island property after completing her education, which was designed to allow her to rise from the ranks of the nouveau riche and exist comfortably among the “Mayflower types” who look down on Jay’s background. Many personalities from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s cast of characters appear: Tom and Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker, and Nick Carraway assume their previous roles and appear to be enjoying Jay’s hospitality—until a dead body is discovered on Jay’s docked sailboat. Unsettled by the unclear circumstances of that death, Greta is also troubled by other events at the estate, most notably the unexplained departure of Flora, a maid with whom she had formed a bond. With her bobbed hair and a “bohemian” wardrobe that includes a daring set of trousers, Greta endeavors to figure out what is going on at West Egg. Confronted by the realities of class privilege, wealth, and race-based disparities, Greta becomes more aware that her life and education have not prepared her for the tumultuous social changes happening before her eyes. Anderson-Wheeler delivers an account of the changing role of women in the early 20th century under the guise of a mystery by examining the lives and motivations of Greta, Daisy, Jordan, and the female staff members at West Egg. Featuring much of the glamour and sparkle of Fitzgerald’s original, this reprise of Gatsby’s cautionary tale also revisits the distressing realities behind the glitz.

Apr 1, 2025 - 07:49

Anderson-Wheeler’s fiction debut revisits Jay Gatsby’s legendary West Egg estate but, this time, the emphasis is on a previously unheard-of member of the Gatsby family: Greta. Known as Gigi to her older brother, Greta has just returned to Jay’s sprawling Long Island property after completing her education, which was designed to allow her to rise from the ranks of the nouveau riche and exist comfortably among the “Mayflower types” who look down on Jay’s background. Many personalities from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s cast of characters appear: Tom and Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker, and Nick Carraway assume their previous roles and appear to be enjoying Jay’s hospitality—until a dead body is discovered on Jay’s docked sailboat. Unsettled by the unclear circumstances of that death, Greta is also troubled by other events at the estate, most notably the unexplained departure of Flora, a maid with whom she had formed a bond. With her bobbed hair and a “bohemian” wardrobe that includes a daring set of trousers, Greta endeavors to figure out what is going on at West Egg. Confronted by the realities of class privilege, wealth, and race-based disparities, Greta becomes more aware that her life and education have not prepared her for the tumultuous social changes happening before her eyes. Anderson-Wheeler delivers an account of the changing role of women in the early 20th century under the guise of a mystery by examining the lives and motivations of Greta, Daisy, Jordan, and the female staff members at West Egg. Featuring much of the glamour and sparkle of Fitzgerald’s original, this reprise of Gatsby’s cautionary tale also revisits the distressing realities behind the glitz.