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A review by literarypenguin
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
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