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A review by boomwormbrittany
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Last Night At The Telegraph Club follows Lily who has been nothing but a good Chinese-American daughter. When she meets Kath and starts going to the mysterious Telegraph Club she realizes she might have feelings for Kath. But it's complicated when she lives in 1954 America and she's not sure how Kath feels.
I want to preface this by saying I am neither a part of the LGBTQIA+ community nor Asian American so I will not be commenting on representation. This is an own voices novel and I trust the author is telling from her experience and her research. I will simply be commenting on my enjoyment.
I thought this book was really interesting. We don't get a lot of stories from the 1950's following people of color or people in the LGBTQ+ community let alone one that tells both stories. I think this is a really important book for younger people to pick up as it really shows how the world was towards people of color and who were a part of the LGBTQ+ community and the struggle growing up trying to learn more about yourself when everyone is against you.
I thought the character of Lily was great to follow. I loved seeing her start to bloom and become who she is. Although she is timid and scared, she still has a strength to her that is quiet but powerful. I loved seeing her relationship develop with Kath and seeing her start to accept who she is.
The writing was great in this book and it was a really easy and quick read for me. I liked that Malinda Lo added a historical section at the end speaking on the things she touched on in this book. I thought it was really well written and I enjoyed it.
Overall, if you are looking for a diverse coming of age story, pick this book up. I thought it was great and can't wait to see what Malinda Lo releases next.
I want to preface this by saying I am neither a part of the LGBTQIA+ community nor Asian American so I will not be commenting on representation. This is an own voices novel and I trust the author is telling from her experience and her research. I will simply be commenting on my enjoyment.
I thought this book was really interesting. We don't get a lot of stories from the 1950's following people of color or people in the LGBTQ+ community let alone one that tells both stories. I think this is a really important book for younger people to pick up as it really shows how the world was towards people of color and who were a part of the LGBTQ+ community and the struggle growing up trying to learn more about yourself when everyone is against you.
I thought the character of Lily was great to follow. I loved seeing her start to bloom and become who she is. Although she is timid and scared, she still has a strength to her that is quiet but powerful. I loved seeing her relationship develop with Kath and seeing her start to accept who she is.
The writing was great in this book and it was a really easy and quick read for me. I liked that Malinda Lo added a historical section at the end speaking on the things she touched on in this book. I thought it was really well written and I enjoyed it.
Overall, if you are looking for a diverse coming of age story, pick this book up. I thought it was great and can't wait to see what Malinda Lo releases next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
Minor: Child abuse and Child death