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A review by emmylamptey
The Spectacular by Fiona Davis
5.0
The Spectacular by Fiona Davis centers around Marion Brooks in two different eras of her life: in 1956 as a 19-year-old Rockette and in 1992 as she heads to a Rockette alumni reunion.
In the 1950s, Marion lives with her father, Simon (an executive at an NYC Power company) and sister, Judy (her fathers secretary). Marion is a children’s dance teacher and gets fired for not being strict enough with the children.
Against her father’s wishes, Marion auditions for the Rockettes the day after she’s fired and gains a spot. Her father, furious with her decision to pursue arts and leave security behind, disowns her and so Marion moves to a boarding house for young women in the arts. Her roommate and fellow Rockette, Bunny, introduces her to a young psychiatrist named Peter while on a double date.
Peter, able to analyze the personality of anyone he comes into contact with, becomes an integral part of the story when there is a bombing at Radio City during one of Marion’s Christmas performances, killing an audience member close to her heart. Peter aids the police in criminal profiling to help find the bomber who has been terrorizing NYC for 16 years.
This story sweeps you away - the setting, imagery, and mood of the novel are transportive and I really felt like I was at Radio City Music Hall watching rehearsals and shows of the girls dancing in beautiful, mesmerizing unison.
This novel featured a good mystery, a budding romance, and deep character development from the main cast of characters. I felt like I got to know the characters as friends and really understand them.
Overall, I loved the book and am so sad it’s over. For an extra treat, listen to the audiobook: the two narrators are fantastic and truly bring the story to life.
Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Group Dutton for an e-ARC of The Spectacular in exchange for an honest review.
In the 1950s, Marion lives with her father, Simon (an executive at an NYC Power company) and sister, Judy (her fathers secretary). Marion is a children’s dance teacher and gets fired for not being strict enough with the children.
Against her father’s wishes, Marion auditions for the Rockettes the day after she’s fired and gains a spot. Her father, furious with her decision to pursue arts and leave security behind, disowns her and so Marion moves to a boarding house for young women in the arts. Her roommate and fellow Rockette, Bunny, introduces her to a young psychiatrist named Peter while on a double date.
Peter, able to analyze the personality of anyone he comes into contact with, becomes an integral part of the story when there is a bombing at Radio City during one of Marion’s Christmas performances, killing an audience member close to her heart. Peter aids the police in criminal profiling to help find the bomber who has been terrorizing NYC for 16 years.
This story sweeps you away - the setting, imagery, and mood of the novel are transportive and I really felt like I was at Radio City Music Hall watching rehearsals and shows of the girls dancing in beautiful, mesmerizing unison.
This novel featured a good mystery, a budding romance, and deep character development from the main cast of characters. I felt like I got to know the characters as friends and really understand them.
Overall, I loved the book and am so sad it’s over. For an extra treat, listen to the audiobook: the two narrators are fantastic and truly bring the story to life.
Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Group Dutton for an e-ARC of The Spectacular in exchange for an honest review.