The Quirky Spine

Title: The Chelsea Girls
Author: Fiona Davis
Publisher: Dutton
Publication Date: July 2019
Pages: 368
Format read: eBook

⏩ Read if you love:

mid-century United States history. It gives a historical view of being a female artist during the Hollywood Blacklist era. 

the idea of a safe haven for artists, in this book the Chelsea Hotel. Davis writes about some of the most famous guests without using their names, but an avid reader knows who’s who.

women subverting expectations and gender roles. Davis does a masterful job highlighting the expectations society places on women and writes Hazel and Maxine to be clear examples of how women have always (and will always) be a strong part of the story with their own motivations, strengths, goals, and lives.

❌ Skip if you hate: (SPOILERS BELOW)

espionage stories. The spy storyline builds the base of the story and colors much of what happens with and to the main character, Hazel and her best friend Maxine.

playwriting and/or Broadway. Hazel becomes a playwright and much of the story takes place in theaters. 

slow burn, will-they-won’t-they love storylines. I honestly could have done without any of the storyline between Hazel and Charlie turning into a romance.

🏅 Best Character Award Goes To:

Maxine – from the moment she graces the page as the de facto troupe leader of the USO show Hazel joins, Maxine grows into a well developed and essential character. Davis writes her as a no-nonsense, grab-the-world-by-the-tail female and as the reader continues to uncover her background she only grows even larger.

🎭 Scene-Stealer Moment:

The moment that stole the show for me was when Hazel was testifying in front of the HUAC committee. Her determination to stand for her principles and her ability to throw the interviewer off his game was priceless.

🎯 Final Take:

Fiona Davis knows how to interweave history and fiction in a way that transports a reader to a different time and place. While I enjoyed the historical setting, this one just didn’t measure up to her previous titles I have read.

⭐⭐⭐ 3 – Solid Plotline – Enjoyable but not a standout.