The History of Literature 699 Gatsby's Daisy (with Rachel Feder) | My Last Book with Francesca Peacock
Apr 28, 2025
Join Rachel Feder, an Associate Professor and author of "Daisy," as she breathes new life into F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic. She discusses how her modern retelling reveals the trials of a '90s teen poet, juxtaposing youthful ambition against the backdrop of wealth and societal expectations. The conversation also dives into Daisy Buchanan's character, influenced by early 20th-century socialites, and the complex themes of love and identity that resonate through generations. Francesca Peacock also shares her choice for the last book she would read.
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Daisy and Fitzgerald's Real Wound
- Fitzgerald's character Daisy was inspired by Geneva King, a Chicago debutante whose father's rejection left a lasting wound on him.
- Daisy represents the unattainable rich girl whose story Fitzgerald immortalized but could not fully give agency to.
Finding a Book that Resonated
- Jacke Wilson recalls selecting "Where the Red Fern Grows" for a Mexican ESL student who loved dogs.
- The student connected deeply with the book, strengthening their teacher-student bond.
Reclaiming Daisy's Inner Voice
- "Daisy" channels the silence and inner life missing from Fitzgerald's Daisy, representing every teen girl grappling with purity and privilege.
- The book explores complexity beyond charm, touching on agency and contradictions in girlhood.
