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tarmstrong's review
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
crayzikat's review against another edition
I just can't get into this one. I don't seem to care about what's going on or the characters.
shughes2425's review
4.0
Interesting take on the McCarthy era in Hollywood and New York that tells it from the aspect of the theater side versus the movie and television actors and actresses we’ve heard about. Good story line, pretty fast pace of the span of 20 years.
countrysunshine116's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mamaforjustice's review
3.0
Fine. The friendship was its saving grace, otherwise I didn’t care much what happened to anyone.
abanta23's review
3.0
As others noted the physical location was less of a character than Davis' other books but it worked well for this book as the political climate in the time period was such a heavy presence.
The pace of the book was slow and, despite the mystery of her story and tension of the era, didn't have the suspense that I felt and loved in The Address.
I am intrigued about the era now thanks to Davis' research and will look for other books around the same topic.
The pace of the book was slow and, despite the mystery of her story and tension of the era, didn't have the suspense that I felt and loved in The Address.
I am intrigued about the era now thanks to Davis' research and will look for other books around the same topic.
texaspaz's review
5.0
Another GREAT book by Ms. Davis. I would love to be with her when she does her research. The historical information she puts into these books is amazing. And she also weaves along the fiction part of the story like a master. I come away with a thirst for more information and new friends in the book world! Recommended for historical fiction fans!
guenevol's review against another edition
3.0
Trigger warnings: suicide, drug overdose
1945: The book begins in Italy during World War II, where Hazel is performing for the USO. There she meets tough-as-nails Maxine, who is running the show. Maxine tells Hazel about the Chelsea Hotel in New York City. Hazel has an encounter with a young German boy that inspires her to write a play.
1950: After the war, Hazel returns to New York and Maxine goes to LA. Hazel has a fight with her overbearing mother, so she leaves and checks in to the Chelsea Hotel. There she makes connections in the industry and is able to get her script to New York producers. Maxine comes to visit Hazel and stays a while at the Chelsea.
Suspicion is everywhere in America; people have joined the Communist party and are selling secrets to Russia. The lens of suspicion falls on Broadway, and the fear affects Hazel's production. Hazel follows a man who has an epileptic seizure; the man turns out to be an agent for the House Un-American Activities Committee named Charlie. He comes to the play's rehearsals to inspect the production and cast for communist activity.
1967: Hazel is still living in the Chelsea Hotel, but the atmosphere of the place has changed. The residents are more likely to be rock stars or film stars than composers or stage actors. The theatre world has returned to normal after the scares of communism. Maxine has left for California and is a big movie star.
The women's stories have highs and lows, in turns tragic and triumphant. Their friendship is sometimes close and other times nonexistent. For the entirety of their story, the Chelsea Hotel is a silent observer.
Kirsten Potter and Hillary Huber are good narrators, and having Hazel and Maxine's chapters read by different readers helps to tell them apart. Some lines are quieter than others and can be hard to hear if you leave the book at one volume.
Recommended for fans of midcentury historical fiction or New York City. Readers who enjoy the espionage involved during the era of communist fears in America will also appreciate the novel.
I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read the review and get readalikes here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/chelsea-girls
1945: The book begins in Italy during World War II, where Hazel is performing for the USO. There she meets tough-as-nails Maxine, who is running the show. Maxine tells Hazel about the Chelsea Hotel in New York City. Hazel has an encounter with a young German boy that inspires her to write a play.
1950: After the war, Hazel returns to New York and Maxine goes to LA. Hazel has a fight with her overbearing mother, so she leaves and checks in to the Chelsea Hotel. There she makes connections in the industry and is able to get her script to New York producers. Maxine comes to visit Hazel and stays a while at the Chelsea.
Suspicion is everywhere in America; people have joined the Communist party and are selling secrets to Russia. The lens of suspicion falls on Broadway, and the fear affects Hazel's production. Hazel follows a man who has an epileptic seizure; the man turns out to be an agent for the House Un-American Activities Committee named Charlie. He comes to the play's rehearsals to inspect the production and cast for communist activity.
1967: Hazel is still living in the Chelsea Hotel, but the atmosphere of the place has changed. The residents are more likely to be rock stars or film stars than composers or stage actors. The theatre world has returned to normal after the scares of communism. Maxine has left for California and is a big movie star.
The women's stories have highs and lows, in turns tragic and triumphant. Their friendship is sometimes close and other times nonexistent. For the entirety of their story, the Chelsea Hotel is a silent observer.
Kirsten Potter and Hillary Huber are good narrators, and having Hazel and Maxine's chapters read by different readers helps to tell them apart. Some lines are quieter than others and can be hard to hear if you leave the book at one volume.
Recommended for fans of midcentury historical fiction or New York City. Readers who enjoy the espionage involved during the era of communist fears in America will also appreciate the novel.
I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read the review and get readalikes here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/chelsea-girls
alisonrcscheide's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide