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literarypenguin's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This novel was a genre that I love, Historical Fiction. It also talked brought up LGBTQ history and how it was handled back in that time period. In this story we follow a girl named Lily who comes from a Chinese American family in the 1950's in San Francisco. When she starts to hang out with a girl named Kathleen and both of the girls hear about a club called the Telegraph Club, Lily finds herself questioning more about who she is more then every before.
I loved the character of Lily and how we saw this story from her perspective mainly. She is Chinese, has many expectations placed upon her by her parents yet she has dreams of getting a career in space and mathematics. She also helps take care of her two little brothers who she is very close with. She also has a friend that she grew up with in the same city she live in named Shirley, the daughter of restaurant owners. This friendship with Shirley is tested throughout this book with Lily questioning their friendship and how Shirley has treated her in the years they have been friends. Not only does she rethink her friendships but she thinks about her sexuality. How she has always felt different then others and never had an attraction to the boys in her school. When she starts up a friendship with Kath, those questions come at full force as she starts to realize what these feelings might be. One thing I loved about Lily was her interest in space, sci fi, and mathematics. Her bond with her aunt and uncle is also very sweet that she had someone she could relate to.
The history weaved through this story about actual LGBTQ events, places, and history. I loved how the author brought up LGBTQ reading material that was available in those times. How the Telegraph Club was based on actual clubs that were around at those times. The facts put in to the story made this story so much better to me!
The romance between Kath & Lily was super sweet, very well developed, and a beautiful relationship. It was bittersweet especially at the end but thankfully it gave me hope that they would be alright. Their bond was and buildup of the romance was wonderful and showing a positive female female love.
I enjoyed this book and I may pick up the follow up of this story. Maybe even pick up more books from this author as well!
I loved the character of Lily and how we saw this story from her perspective mainly. She is Chinese, has many expectations placed upon her by her parents yet she has dreams of getting a career in space and mathematics. She also helps take care of her two little brothers who she is very close with. She also has a friend that she grew up with in the same city she live in named Shirley, the daughter of restaurant owners. This friendship with Shirley is tested throughout this book with Lily questioning their friendship and how Shirley has treated her in the years they have been friends. Not only does she rethink her friendships but she thinks about her sexuality. How she has always felt different then others and never had an attraction to the boys in her school. When she starts up a friendship with Kath, those questions come at full force as she starts to realize what these feelings might be. One thing I loved about Lily was her interest in space, sci fi, and mathematics. Her bond with her aunt and uncle is also very sweet that she had someone she could relate to.
The history weaved through this story about actual LGBTQ events, places, and history. I loved how the author brought up LGBTQ reading material that was available in those times. How the Telegraph Club was based on actual clubs that were around at those times. The facts put in to the story made this story so much better to me!
The romance between Kath & Lily was super sweet, very well developed, and a beautiful relationship. It was bittersweet especially at the end but thankfully it gave me hope that they would be alright. Their bond was and buildup of the romance was wonderful and showing a positive female female love.
I enjoyed this book and I may pick up the follow up of this story. Maybe even pick up more books from this author as well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Miscarriage
gabsoulutely's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
If I could give this book a 6 out of 5, I would. This was such a special read, like the world in the 50's was plucked from the timeline and given to me firsthand. I really liked seeing how Lily became her own person and fell in love with Kath. I loved Kath throughout this book and I really hope this story had a happy ending. I'd like to think that these characters stayed together and remained in love despite all the cultural challenges of their time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, and Emotional abuse
blossom's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is such a wonderful story, I learnt so much!! So glad this book exists.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Sexism
eam006's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual harassment
adalinemccormick's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Xenophobia, Racial slurs, Lesbophobia, Racism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, and Deportation
Minor: Police brutality, Sexual content, Miscarriage, and Forced institutionalization
camillagrace's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Racial slurs and War
jay_reading's review against another edition
4.0
you will never look at me like this again </3
absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking. also loved the small scenes with her brother towards the end.
absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking. also loved the small scenes with her brother towards the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
kaylokay_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Outing, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Fatphobia, Racism, Body shaming, Deportation, and Sexism
Moderate: Bullying, Infertility, and War
skye_era_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I learned a lot about Chinese-American culture (specifically in the 1940s and 50s). I also learned a lot about lesbians and the queer community during that time. I love that Lily and Kath end up back together after being separated for a year. Please read the author’s note at the end of the book, as it helps explain the author’s research for this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Outing, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Homophobia
zackarinareads's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Here are some thoughts I wrote down for the Heartstopper Discord Book Club (April2024):
- What did you think about the book? How did it make you feel? I’ve been meaning to read this book for so long and finally got around to it in late February. I am always interested in lesbian history and I liked that this was a big part of the book. The characters all felt like a real part of their surrounding world and time. The timelines that were included in the book helped with my understanding. I also liked that other people from Lily’s family had little chapters to detail their personal journeys.
- Was there any moment that stood out as your favorite or felt most impactful? I’m always a fan of the first kiss but in this book I also liked the slow build-up to the characters’ relationship. The first time Lily saw the newspaper ad for Tommy’s show was also iconic with all the mixed and unexplainable emotions and feeling of recognition she experienced.
- Share your favorite quote! Why do you like it? ” “What’s what supposed to be like?” Lily slumped back against the sofa, feeling boneless and muddled. “Falling in love, I guess.” “You’ll know,” Claire said. “It’s unmistakable.” (How she could recognize Kath at the other end of a crowded Galileo hallway by the way she walked.) “It’s like . . . well, it’s like falling,” Lana said. “Falling, or floating, or sinking.” (Every time they kissed.) “You won’t know which way is up.” “It’s like having a fever.” (The way the world seemed to narrow down to the tips of Kath’s fingers.) “It’s like being drunk—drunk for days.”” I love the interjections to show what the conversation is making her think about.
- Is there anything specific you’d like to discuss during the meeting? I’d love to discuss the butch representation in the book. Overall, I don’t know if remember everything quite well enough to have a good discussion, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Deportation, and Racism
Minor: Alcohol and War