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A review by shesgotstories
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
5.0
“She’s having a hard time right now because you’re not what she expected. But we’re never what our parents expected. They have to learn that lesson.”
The writing style of this book blew me away and made it instantly feel like a classic due to the incredible story. I love that we have a main character that is obsessed with sci-fi and rockets during a time when young women were pushed towards more stereotypical "feminine" jobs and that we get to follow along with Lily's struggles to not only fit in and fly under the radar as a "good Chinese girl" as her parents want but also watch as she comes to terms with her sexuality. Each sneak-out makes you anxious with anticipation and leads you to root for Lily when dangers surround her around every corner. Lily knew when to look the part to appeal to her parents, but she also knew that while following her heart was scary, it was freeing. This book leaves you empathetic for Lily and her story as you can't help but love her character and desire to be her true self in a time that was so limiting to young women like her. The descriptions of the setting and characters make you want to lurk in the corners of the Telegraph Club with Lily while watching the male impersonators put on a show.
It's difficult to put into words how I feel about this book as it's incredible and no words do it true justice. I highly recommend this book to all readers as not only does it cast light onto a difficult time in American history for the Asian American population during the Red Scare, but also onto the ever-constant battle against homophobia present in society. Just read this book and thank yourself later.
The writing style of this book blew me away and made it instantly feel like a classic due to the incredible story. I love that we have a main character that is obsessed with sci-fi and rockets during a time when young women were pushed towards more stereotypical "feminine" jobs and that we get to follow along with Lily's struggles to not only fit in and fly under the radar as a "good Chinese girl" as her parents want but also watch as she comes to terms with her sexuality. Each sneak-out makes you anxious with anticipation and leads you to root for Lily when dangers surround her around every corner. Lily knew when to look the part to appeal to her parents, but she also knew that while following her heart was scary, it was freeing. This book leaves you empathetic for Lily and her story as you can't help but love her character and desire to be her true self in a time that was so limiting to young women like her. The descriptions of the setting and characters make you want to lurk in the corners of the Telegraph Club with Lily while watching the male impersonators put on a show.
It's difficult to put into words how I feel about this book as it's incredible and no words do it true justice. I highly recommend this book to all readers as not only does it cast light onto a difficult time in American history for the Asian American population during the Red Scare, but also onto the ever-constant battle against homophobia present in society. Just read this book and thank yourself later.