And the friendship between Hazel and Maxine does not disappoint. I was also drawn to The Chelsea Girls because I knew a female friendship was at the heart of the story.

It wasn’t just the historical aspect of the novel that appealed to me though. I was riveted by Davis’ exploration of the way they targeted the entertainment industry, and especially the way they got so many in the theater world blacklisted, destroying careers and lives, often without a shred of real evidence against their targets.

were just relentless and ruthless in their pursuit and takedown of anyone they suspected of having Communist ties. Joseph McCarthy, the House Unamerican Activities Committee, and everyone else who bought into the hysteria and fear that Communists were infiltrating the U.S. Davis also does an incredible job of portraying just how destructive this period in history was for the entertainment industry. The 1950s is a period I’ve not encountered in many historical novels so, in many ways, it was a unique and refreshing read. The historical aspect of The Chelsea Girls was a huge draw for me. The Chelsea Girls follows both Hazel and Maxine and focuses on how their lives and their friendship are impacted by the 1950s and specifically the McCarthy Era and the threat of Communism. Once the war is over, Hazel and Maxine return to the states, specifically to New York City and the iconic Chelsea Hotel, where they are each looking to jumpstart their careers, Maxine as an actress and Hazel as a playwright. The story begins in Naples Italy during WWII and follows two young women, Hazel Ripley and Maxine Mead, who meet and become fast friends while serving on a USO tour together. Her latest novel, The Chelsea Girls, was everything I hoped it would be and more. I had a feeling she would be a great fit for me, and I’m happy to say that my instinct was correct. All opinions are my own.Īs a fan of historical fiction and a lover of all things New York City, I have had Fiona Davis’ novels on my must-read list for a while now. Published by Dutton Books on July 30, 2019Īmazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book DepositoryįTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.

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