A review by readinghavoc
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

emotional funny inspiring reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I really loved this book and was so inspired by Lily’s story. It was really interesting to experience the time period more intimately from her point of view.
My only hesitation about this book is the ending. It wasn’t bad, but I feel like the rest of the book had these really lovely and encouraging moments of queer joy, and the ending kind of felt defeated in comparison even though it was a relatively happy ending for the period. It’s realistic and I appreciate that, but also, I think I’m sad and tired of reading books where the gay people don’t get to be happy in the end. I would have loved to see her and Kath in their own apartment in that epilogue or spend more time with them and their letters  rather than being left off with the idea that maybe Lily and Katy can stay together in the closet. I get that the happy ending is also that she gets to keep her family but I don’t know, after how palpably miserable she is in the chapters once her family knows, I have a hard time swallowing that. Like I said, this also might just be about where I am with my feelings about queer content generally right now.  
Overall though, I’m so glad I read this, and want to give that ending a reread for sure! 
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