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jaanusbooktalk · 2 years

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Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo - Book Review

8/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

TW: homophobia, racism (slurs), miscarriage, misogyny, sex (non graphic), underage drinking

(TWs are ranked in order of severity, please take them seriously!)

Last Night At The Telegraph Club had been sitting in my virtual TBR for months, and my bookshelf even longer. I’m so glad I finally got around to it this pride month!

I will say right off the bat that after reading I don’t necessarily agree with how it was marketed; the back of the book labeled it a thriller, whereas I felt like it was way less thriller and more historical fiction (I like both so this wasn’t a problem, just a heads up)

I fell in love with the characters, and even though it was a pretty slow-paced read I liked that I could enjoy it leisurely, put-it-down-and-pick-it-back-up-later type of vibe.

The story is set in California during what’s known as the “Red Scare” - when the U.S. government was firing employees and detaining anyone suspected of communist ties. Because of this national suspicion, Chinese Americans were especially at risk of discrimination and sudden deportation. In the midst of this, there’s teenage girl - Lily Hu - coming to terms with her sexuality and falling in love for the first time.

The book is incredibly well researched, and it was cool to get the stories of other members of Lily’s family. It really rounded them out as characters, as people instead of plot devices.

I think this book is a great read for anyone coming to terms with their sexuality or people who enjoy reading coming of age. I’ve also always been really interested in the history of queer nightclubs during the 50s, as “safe spaces” and this book taught me a lot! (Not to mention the aesthetic is just gorgeous)

Summary:

“That book. It was about two women, and they fell in love with each other. And then Lily asked the question that had taken root in her, that was even now unfurling its leaves and demanding to be shown the sun: Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can't remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club.

America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father--despite his hard-won citizenship--Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.”

TL;DR Two girls (one Chinese American, one white) fall in love at a gay nightclub in San Francisco during the 1950s amidst the Red Scare and fight to stay together despite their circumstances.

^lots of smoking & drinking in this book bc.. it was the 50s

So on to representation:

(Not really an own voices review, just saying what I noticed)

A good portion of the book takes place in Chinatown, either in Lily’s home or the greater community. Lily’s family celebrates the Chinese New Year while her best friend Shirley takes part in the Miss Chinatown Beauty pageant. The edge of Chinatown is located close to a gay nightclub called The Telegraph Club, and these are all historically accurate- the beauty pageant actually happened as an effort for the Chinese American community to better assimilate during the Red Scare.

There are moments when Lily is in predominantly white spaces that she has uncomfortable encounters with white queer people - they call her things like “China doll” as if it’s a compliment. Today this is definitely not okay to call someone, and even back then it made Lily uncomfortable, despite her wanting to fit in with those queer spaces. I think Malinda Lo did a really good job of showing this reality - the difficulty queer POC face when entering white queer spaces.

Kath, Lily’s love interest, is Italian. This isn’t touched on too much aside from sharing food from their respective cultures.

One thing I appreciated about the lgbtq+ rep in this book was it really addressed how difficult it is fight comphet, or compulsory heterosexuality. Even when someone isn’t in the closet, your family, friends, and community can try to force you back inside for their comfortability. What Lily and Kath go through is far from easy and reflects situations still faced by LGBTQ+ people today.

Finally, here’s a pic of some actual Ms. Chinatown contestants that was in the author’s bibliography/after notes (always read those!)

What I Loved:

For this book, I loved that it told more than one story. Sure, there’s the obvious storyline of Kath and Lily’s romance. But there’s also the story of Shirley and Lily’s tumultuous friendship, the story of Lily’s aunt and her life in a new country, the flashbacks to the story of Lily’s mother and father. There’s the story of Tommy Andrews, male impersonator and performer at The Telegraph Club, the story of queer women who boldly went out at night to an illegal establishment to watch those performances.

There’s the story of love in there because of this. All these people are tied together in such different ways, all just trying to love the best they can. I think that’s beautiful.

I also liked how the book didn’t idealize romance. There were times when Kath and Lily fought, when they made up, when they made out in janitor’s closets and it wasn’t at all like in the movies. They had to be vigilant with how they loved eachother, aware of every brush of their hands, and as a queer girl myself I felt really seen. It’s hard loving in a way that your world condemns as “wrong” or “sinful”. Especially as teenagers, when the LGBTQ+ scene is so dominated by adults, it’s difficult to find a place for us.

Back then, and now, it’s challenging to find spaces to celebrate queerness that aren’t also populated by mature themes (drinking, smoking, s*x, etc).

Note: Gay relationships are so taboo that society has dubbed them “mature content” to the point where a simple gesture like holding hands or a peck on the cheek can be labeled Rated R, making it hard for queer youth to preserve the innocent part of themselves and their relationships. Ex. People losing their minds over the lesbian grandmas from Lightyear.

The imagery was raw and there were definitely some scenes that left me emotional, especially when it came to Lily and her family/friends. Reconciling queer identity within communities of color is difficult because two kinds of love appear almost opposed to each other. Lily’s struggle with this hit close to home for me.

^my face during every scene where Shirley was talking (ily Lan Wangji😭)

Why I couldn’t give it a 10:

Honesty it came down to pacing. There were some parts where I felt the story was moving too slowly, or that certain copious amounts of detail were unnecessary and detracted from figuring out what was going on. At times I simply felt bored, because a page or two read like a history textbook or article. I understand needing to set the scene with historical fiction, but placing that in the middle of something happening took me out of the moment. I felt like it could have been better done if a character had given that background in dialogue (shorter) or if it was at the beginning of the scene. Putting it in the middle made it feel abrupt, and having a mini history lesson as one character’s thoughts (?) read more like the author trying to give me all of this (admittedly interesting) information about the event and political environment of the time.

I appreciate it, but here there’s a time and a place and I felt like it could have been done separately. That being said, I am in awe of how much effort was put into researching. This is by far one of the best researched historical fiction books I’ve ever read - I enjoyed reading the author’s note a lot!

I sincerely recommend to:

History buffs (especially if you’re curious about Chinese American/queer history)🔎

Fans of historical fiction novels (ex. Number the Stars, Promises to the Dead)📕

Fans of Luck of the Titanic/The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee 🚢

Closeted gay people (get a false cover if you need to!)🚪

Anyone looking to diversify their LGBTQ+ reading selection (y’all can’t all just be reading The Ones We Burn 🤢)

In hindsight, it could be that the background felt abrupt because I haven’t read historical fiction in a while - can’t even think of a time when I’ve read queer historical fiction before! Grateful to Lo for bringing this much needed representation ❤️

Overall, it was a good book and I enjoyed it! It definitely reinforced by desire to move to California (rip to my wallet) 🕊 Lily is a space nerd like me so that was awesome too 🪐

I also made a Pinterest board for this book since I kept thinking about it, here are some of my favorite additions:

“The vast majority of fiction about queer women is contemporary because until very recently, most people denied the fact that queer people even existed before modern times. Historical fiction in America and in the West is certainly very white-centric - just like all fiction - and I’d definitely love to read more historical fiction about queer people of color.”

- Malinda Lo, author of Last Night At the Telegraph Club

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books-to-add-to-your-tbr · 15 days

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Title: Luck of the Titanic

Author: Stacey Lee

Series or standalone: standalone

Publication year: 2021

Genres: fiction, historical fiction, retelling, contemporary, romance

Blurb: Valora Luck has two things: a ticket for the biggest and most luxurious ocean liner in the world, and a dream of leaving England behind to make a life for herself as a circus performer in New York. Much to her surprise, though, she's turned away at the gangway. Apparently, Chinese people aren't allowed into America. But Val has to get on that ship. Her twin brother Jamie, who has spent two long years at sea, is onboard, as is an influential circus owner. Thankfully, there's not much a trained acrobat like Val can't overcome when she puts her mind to it. As a stowaway, Val should keep her head down and stay out of sight...but the clock is ticking, and she has just seven days as the ship makes its way across the Atlantic to find Jamie, audition for the circus owner, and convince him to help get them both into America. One night, the unthinkable happens, and suddenly, Val's dreams of a new life are crushed under the weight of the only thing that matters: survival.

#luck of the titanic #stacey lee #standalone #2021 #fiction #historical fiction #retelling #contemporary #romance

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travelingtostories · 8 months

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F I N I S H E D : Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee.

#book #finished #books #reading #luck of the titanic #stacey lee

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abigail-abridged-summaries · 11 months

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Just like with his shell ring, he transformed something ordinary into something beautiful—for me. Strange feelings press on my heart like cat paws on a windowpane.

The imagery is just killing me here

#luck of the titanic #stacey lee #ya books #book quotes #ya historical fiction

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bookcoversonly · 2 years

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Title: Luck of the Titanic | Author: Stacey Lee | Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books (2021)

#books #Luck of the Titanic #Stacey Lee

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booksandwords · 2 years

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Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee

Read time: 4 Days Rating: 4/5

The quote: "I'm afraid my brother wants to see the stars, not be one." — Valora Luck

Well, I'm not okay... That ending is so beautifully painful. And really not what I expected coming into this. Yes Luck of the Titanic is set on the Titanic and you expect death, you know the framing of what is coming to come to a degree. But the surprise is more what role are your protagonists and their allies going to play in the sinking, what are their social statuses what is their best level likelihood of survival and how much ingenuity is going to be needed to improve their odds.

Leaving the plot alone in this review as I usually do, you can find that in other reviews, characters are my drawcard so my reviews focus on that. From a very early point, I referred to half Chinese half British protagonist, Valora 'Val' Luck as ingenious but almost desperate that part of my opinion of her didn't really change. But she has managed to absorb parts of both of her parent's skills sets, as well as those of her recently deceased employer. She uses them all well and her upbringing and employment mean that her ability to pass both as the 'Merry Widow' and in Third Class is logical. She blends with both, can socialise with both but does expect some loyalty (which she does get from the other women in the book Charlotte and April). Overall I did end up really liking Val. She is my kind of female character taking risks to go after whats she wants, taking s*** from no man and willing to love.

I will mention Val's love, Bo, first before Jamie. Bo, Chow Bo Wah, his Jamie's best friend and one of the few people that know about Val before she arrived on the Titanic. Bo is about the same age as the twins and is all but warned off Val by Jamie when they meet not for her good for his. Bo is burdened by a lot of pain after he lost his brother in a fight, the beautiful ring he wears was made by him for his brother An. The chemistry between Bo and Val is instant but they are in an awkward situation with them both wanting different things Jamie, what they think is best. I like this relationship though it's so sweet. As are their nicknames for each other 'Stowaway' and 'Wagtail', it also involves one of the cutest love tokens I've seen in historical fiction in a while. 17-year-old Jamie 'Valor' Luck is Val's twin. Jamie's nickname from his crew is Little Captain. They will follow him like he is their captain, helped them learn English and keeps them all together like a little family. He disliked the acrobatic work that Val and he did as kids, he's happy working on the ship and enjoys the freedom, the stargazing. He's a brilliant contrast to Val. I like his growth and the life lessons he learns, the way the events of this books shapes his future.

Jamie's crew is a mix of sweet, cute and understandably grouchy. All of the crew have their pair, their best friend that they are almost always with Olly and Wink are never far apart and roomed with Jamie and Bo who protect them as need be. Olly and Wink are just so adorable, not much more than kids they would basically follow Val anywhere. My favourite was Drummer, we find out so little about him. I like his restless energy and caring heart. I particularly like the line "Little sister, there is much sorrow in your face", at that point there was and he know exactly how to help her. All of them have their stories. One of the best characters for me is the American Miss April Hart, couture designer ballsy as hell and something of a saviour for Val. April spends most of the book in men's suits, we find out towards the end that she is LGBTQ+. I just really like her and her attitude.

A quick comment dump

Timing is everything in this book. Something big happens as the ship hits the iceberg.

The whole book is set over the 5 days the Titanic sailed. April 10 1-83, April 11 p84-143, April 12 p143-218, April 13 p219-246, April 14 247-293, April 15 p294-359 and an epilogue.

"Dragon and phoenix twins are yin and yang opposites that usually create harmony together. But when we disagree, we won't usually stand down, especially the more masculine 'yang' dragon, which in our case has always been me" — (Val, p48) The dragon and phoenix thing is hugely important to the book and to the Chinese culture, I think. Val is willing to stand her ground and more than once it gets them in trouble because they both rise to anger, Jamie in her defence.

This is one of those fantastic books where the discriminated-against group own the slur. There is nothing quite like it.

"Taking risks gives fashion its passion." — (April, p132) I adore April and her fashion analogies and quotes.

"If you always give, you will always have." — (Tao, p195) This is a saying not a quote but I really do like it.

Bo, Val and Jamie's complex relationship is done justice. It's best friends sister but not.

""See that circle? The bigger fish create a whirlpool, helping to stir up the smaller fish. Makes them easier to catch. We call it that a kiss from Tin Hau, the goddess of shipwrecks and sailors. It means good luck is on the way. Maybe for you." [...] "Tin Hau is generous but quick to anger. Some believed she sent the monsoon to destroy our village because we had taken too much from the sea."" — (Bo, p242) My mythology loving self really liked this it fits in perfectly. Val regularly pays respects to her parents, she practices Chinese traditions, Bo has proved by this point he does too. Winding a goddess in there was a fantastic choice and Tin Hau (Mazu in Mandarin) was the right fit. Her demeanour feels like it fits Val's a little too, I don't think that is a coincidence. That said this moment is also kinda heartbreaking once you look back at it. Oh and this says a lot about the ties that bind on the ocean.

"a woman with the punched-in face of a bulldog." — (Val, p314) I think this is one of the iconic women from the Titanic. A brutally American woman who alienated most of the first class.

There are some wonderful descriptions in this book, from colour to clothes to acrobatic acts. The description is an important part of the story in a way.

A personal issue I had with it. The writing took a while to get into its stride. Almost like it took a while for Val to find her voice, or maybe it took me a while took to understand and appreciate her voice. Val is frank and bold as a young woman, forward and borderline bossy, especially to her brother and his crew that is reflected in her manner of speech. For me, this book will likely end up being unmemorable. But it is a great execution of a fantastic idea. Drawing attention to a little thought of a group of people from the Titanic and provoking thoughts of social status and racism. If I do remember Luck of the Titanic it will likely be for the devastating ending. That said recent books I've thought would be unmemorable haven't been. So we'll see. I do recommend it though I did find it to be an enjoyable read.

#luck of the titanic #stacey lee #historical fiction #book review #ktreviews #read 2021 #booklr

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ryllen · 5 months

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Congrats to the FIRST TEAM to BEAT THE TITAN!

#this one is the easiest one for me!#MVP trey-senpai!#thank you for everyone who shared advices and tips for me #the two other team gotta sweat really hard now #i hope they all will make it with the current team members i assigned them with #this team got 2 SSR it's very lenient #i still gotta keep refighting the titan until luck shines on me BCS I WAS SO CLOSE #once i got it to the last 700+ of its HP & the other time it was like 44 HP - 0 HP #44!!!!!! CAN U BELIEEV #book 6

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sailorspica · 17 days

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– If you're saying you want to leave town, I have no reason to complain. And the best part? No more shifts having to stare at your face in the basement. – Sounds good. Finally. Now I don't have to listen to all your stupid rants about men. – Huh…?! Why do you know about—No way. Were you… conscious the whole time? Over four years?

ATTACK ON TITAN #82, "SUNSET"

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kitsunecrows · 1 year

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two op bonehead punlords with casual access to the multiverse - y’all already know they’d be besties

#what’s up guys (disappears to the void again)#the owl house spoilers #my art #kitsunecrows art #toh #the owl house #undertale #sans #sans undertale #papa titan #toh titan #watching and dreaming #crossover #utdr #toh s3 #good luck!!

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geegers22 · 20 days

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“There is a plan, right Armin? You had one for me.”

Ohhh he’s in trouble

#the death glare #good luck my guy #he is not getting out of this one unscathed #she’s very mad #aruani #armin arlert #Annie leonhart #s4 e26 #Traitor #attack on titan #aot #singeki no kyojin #snk

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elllteo · 3 months

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Creators I love you but it's time to wake up

Among rumors about our tumblr user data being sold off to Midjourney/Generative AI, recent Extremely transphobic events (that have been ongoing) coming to a head, another extremely concerning internet censorship bill being pushed in upper levels of government, and a general air of frustration over how the site belongs to and is operated by perhaps the second stupidest CEO (second only to twitters own) of our age, I'm very done with the last few vestiges of what the old internet held for artists.

And if you're reading this, you probably are too.

I know we're tired. We are all tired. It is not always viable to pack up shop and move, again and again and again.

From tumblr to twitter to anywhere else we've ever grown up posting, things no longer work. Our audiences are kneecapped by aggressive and hostile algorithms, our reach is abysmal - if we aren't shadow-banned or silenced for one (transphobic) reason or another, we're thrust into an ever growing pit of hostility where the only thing that drives clicks is fighting and contention.

We're tired. We're so fucking tired. We aren't businesses, we aren't content mills, we cannot keep this pace that modern social media has set for us, to wring every ounce of creativity out of us to profit from and leave us rotting.

The key to staying afloat here, and I cannot stress this enough, is to stay connected to your peers.

Pack up and move as units if you must. Exodus from the sites that are killing us. Push your entire friend group of artists to move from one site to the next that promises you a kinder experience.

Art drives movements, it drives change, it is all that encompasses being human. If you take that away from the shitty places, they will be left with nothing but a cesspit of inhumanity and the people who follow you will be more incentivized than ever to move with you.

Yes, this is terrifying. There are no guarantees. There never was, and never are, and never will be.

But stay connected. Stay human.

Support each other and be willing to hold hands and jump when we all - as a group - need to jump from the flames we're all trying to convince ourselves wont kill us before rescue comes.

Rescue isn't coming, rescue will be found hand in hand with each other. I'm offering you my hand, please take it. There's always a new start, there are always helping hands reaching for you. You have to look up from the doom-scroll long enough to see and take them.

#art communities #art community #teo talks #sorry I have a Lot of opinions about posting art online I've been doing this since I was 14 and I'm 28 this year #I have watched the rise and fall of social media titans and you have to understand the ONLY thing that will keep you afloat #is keeping connected to your peers #we have to move as units and we have to stay together and we have to support each other #your following is not stability. your friendships are.#thats why you hear about networking. thats ceo talk for friendships. connections.#you have to have enough connections to build your own support web on the chance that everything goes to shit. yes its hard work. it sucks.#but it is a necessity. twitter isn't getting better. its not going back to how it was. neither is DA or tumblr. its not happening.#If you put all your eggs in one or two precarious baskets and both fall. you will be shit out of luck! thats reality #there is hope to be found but you have to be realistic and understand that you NEED to build up a presence elsewhere. even if its hard.#I want to help you if I can!!!! bluesky is a really solid twitter alternative!!!#ive heard good things about cohost as a tumblr alternative!!!!#sheezy and inkblot are both indie sites currently being developed by and for other creatives. support them!#they won't be perfect until - and UNLESS - you do!#anyways sorry I will step off my soapbox now Im just frustrated with the state of everything

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