Aimee Reviews~ Last Night At The Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo (YA Book)

When you think of 1950s America, what comes to mind? Milkshakes and Elvis? Enormous, shiny cars and colourful, vibrant adverts for bottles of cola?

For seventeen year old Chinese-American Lily Hu, America looks slightly different. Growing up in San Francisco's Chinatown, everybody knows everybody and secrets spread in seconds. With political tensions in China and the ‘Red-Scare’ fear of Communist gangs in the local community, Lily’s family citizenship is challenged.

When Lily meets Kath, the two instantly share a connection over their shared interest in the mysterious Telegraph Club, where male impersonator Tommy Andrews performs late at night. Together, the pair decide to sneak out under the cover of night to see them perform.

But, this new-found friendship, the secret joy of the Telegraph Club, and a confusing questions about her identity may prove too much for Lily to cope with.

Will Lily and Kath risk everything so their love can shine as bright as the neon sign above their favourite club? Will their family find safety and security again? Is the ‘Red-Scare’ paranoia going to tear apart Lily’s friendships?

Last Night At The Telegraph club is an entirely unique historical romance. See an iconic period of history told from a unique, and often untold point of view. With timelines and useful context also included within the novel, Last Night At the Telegraph Club is both an engaging piece of fiction and an educational one.

The narration is charming, cinematic, and pacey. This is a heartfelt coming of age story, where the romance develops beautifully and naturally. It is full to the brim with Chinese culture and even has dialogue translated from Mandarin and Cantonese into English. I did not want to put it down!

TW: Historical social attitudes towards race and sexuality. Suitable for ages 15 years +.

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