This was a really interesting and much more emotionally trying book then I realized it would be when I selected it, but I'm so glad that I did.
The main character is Lily Hu, a 17 year old girl growing up in 1950's San Francisco Chinatown. She's trying to navigate her romantic feelings for classmate Kathleen Miller and the expectation that she be a good "Chinese girl." In the 1950's being a lesbian and Chinese made people targets of homophobia and discrimination based upon a fear of Communism. However, Lily seems to have found a haven at a lesbian bar called The Telegraph Club. This novel explores Lily's struggles in navigating her coming of age and her identity.
Lily was such an interesting and authentic character. And boy does she have a lot going on. She has to hide a major part of her identity while also fearing that her family will be deported as a result of the Red Scare, which was in full swing at this time. I loved that she was willing to take realistic risks and the novel offers an intimate look into the lives of people that lived during this time. The city of San Francisco also plays a large role in this novel and Lo does a tremendous job of situating us in the city itself.
The relationship between Kathleen and Lily is also pretty realistic. They're both pretty hesitant at first even though its obvious that they are both queer and attracted to one another. They don't know how to talk about what and how they're feeling because at the time there wasn't really any language to talk about that.
Malinda Lo did extensive research before writing this novel and lists her sources. Definitely read the Author's note - it's at the end of the novel but I would recommend reading it first so that you can set the novel in it's appropriate historical context.
LOVED this novel and would highly recommend.
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