Reviews tagging 'Outing'

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

243 reviews

churroeon's review against another edition

emotional informative relaxing sad

3.75

i would like to mention that i did enjoy this book. i love learning about gay history and i believed the author was successful in illustrating 1950s gay culture and even gave the reader some background knowledge on lesbians, their roles, etc. I loved that! however, i just feel a little dissapointed in the story, especially the ending... i will dive into some spoilers so be aware

im not much of a person who likes sad stories because i really love happy endings! but honestly, i absolutely endored how the author depicted Lily's emotions while her and Kath were separated. i was able to feel what she was feeling and honestly!!!! i felt my heart hurt!!! thats really rare because i feel like authors just dont know how to do that anymore, but Lo really did so i gotta give her props. but when Lily was gone for a year and her and Kath met up i felt like it was rushed? like so we didnt see each other physically, only by letters or phone calls, and here we are together reunited. all that i am given is that they love each other (awesome i love that) and that we will meet again at a restaurant later today. thats it??? nothing else? i felt like more emotional writing could've been applied here. the author knows how to write impactful scenes, why didnt they do that here? kath and lily have not seen each other in a year and were separated. i feel like there should've been some more meat towards the ending because it felt rushed. there is potential and im sad it wasnt achieved.

overall, i have to give this book a 3.75. i was expecting more, but it was a fun read nonetheless :3

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Lesbophobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Homophobia

charliebites's review against another edition

emotional funny informative lighthearted reflective sad tense slow-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Classism

Moderate: Deportation, War, Misogyny, and Miscarriage

Minor: Police brutality, Medical trauma, Drug use, Transphobia, Sexual harassment, and Sexism

kajoreads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.0

The beginning was a bit too slow for me, otherwise I really loved it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Lesbophobia, Outing, Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Alcohol, Police brutality, Sexism, Sexual content, Deportation, Child abuse, War, and Misogyny

Minor: Drug use, Miscarriage, Sexual harassment, and Toxic friendship

sierraclimbs's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring sad 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

4.5

A really important story about the Asian American queer experience in the 1950s.  

Despite this story covering some challenging topics, I found it very easily digestible & engaging. I believe it is important to remember that, as different as it seems to our modern day reality, the 1950s wasn’t that long ago & the long standing racism & bigotry persists even in small ways today. 

The story is very relatable while maintaining a historical accuracy that is clearly well researched & written with passion for telling untold stories of the time. 

I think this book should be put on required reading lists for high schoolers everywhere. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, War, Bullying, and Sexism

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Deportation

This is a historical fiction, all words & terms used are due to trying to stay faithful to the time period it takes place in. Nothing felt egregious or unnecessary.

purplevibes123's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-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

This book is so incredible. There’s no words to describe how it makes you feel. It’s been a while since I have read a book where I have felt so connected to the characters, where I have imagined what happens next just to get myself to fall asleep. When anything happens in the book, I feel it like I’m the one in the situation. I can’t recommend this enough.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, War, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Homophobia

Moderate: Sexism and Deportation

Minor: Child abuse, Violence, and Miscarriage

vael's review against another edition

informative fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia

Minor: Toxic friendship, Deportation, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Sexual content, Outing, Classism, Police brutality, Misogyny, War, Racism, and Racial slurs

upgirlcd's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Loved this story.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Outing and Homophobia

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

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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

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

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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. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Outing, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Homophobia