Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Last Night at the Telegraph Club

Author: Malinda Lo

Narrator: Emily Woo Zeller

Publisher: Books on Tape

Copyright Date: January 2021

ISBN: 9780593341643

Format: Audiobook

Genre: Historical Fiction/ Romance/ LGBTQIA+

Awards:

National Book Award in Young Adult Literature- 2021

Stonewall Book Award-2022

John and Patricia Beatty Award - 2022

Chinese American Librarians Association Best Book Award YA Fiction

Kid's Book Choice Awards Teen Book of the Year- 2022

Asian/ Pacific American Award for Literature- 2022

Interest Level: Grades 9-12

Plot Summary:

High school Chinese-American Lily Hu, doesn't want to plan how to find a husband like the rest of the girls in her class. She wants to go to space! And not until she befriends Kath, a white girl who dreams of being a pilot from her math classes, does she finally feel like she has met some one who understands her. Lily is encouraged by her friends, family, and society to fit in especially amidst the the growing fears presented by McCarthyism.

But when Lily finally starts investigating an odd feeling she notices while coming across an ad for male impersonator, Tommy Andrews, at the Telegraph Club and the novel Strange Season, does she realize she can't hide from herself anymore. With the help of her new friend, Lily will discover more about herself, and the world around her even if it is against the wishes of her family and expectation of society around her.

Author Background:

Malinda Lo, a Chinese immigrant, who grew up in Bolder Co earned a B.A. in Economics and Chinese Studies at Wesley College, a master's degrees in East Asian Studies at Harvard, and a master's in Cultural Anthropology at Stanford. She has a history in writing LGBTQIA+ journalism focusing on lesbian and bisexual women in the media and has been recognized for her journalism and her writing. Some works to look for are A Scarlet of Light A Line in the Dark, Ash, Huntress, Adaptation, and Inheritance (Lo, n.d.).

Critical Evaluation:

Emily Woo Zeller brought the cast of characters in this audiobook to life. I was able to keep track of each character's voice which all fit what I imagined them to be. The distinct voices added to their character and their development. I found that Emily Woo Zeller was able to convey humor and seriousness in ways I would have missed if I were reading this novel on a page. The only critique I had with this audio book in terms of construction was that I had a hard time following the timelines dispersed throughout the novel. I would have liked better separation between the timelines and the beginning/time explanations of the flashbacks. Malinda Lo creates a unique coming-of-age novel full of discovery and reflection. I felt my shoulders tensing through many of the scenes of this novel feeling the same stress Lilly did. I think many teens and adults today forget that people throughout history have gone through the same struggles with identity and expectation. It can be relieving and emotional to consider this a normal process. How unfortunate though that we still have not come to a place where teens can feel safe coming out and being themselves.

Creative Use for Library Program:

Chinese New Year Celebration- Last Night at the Telegraph Club can be used in conjunction with local Chinese American Heritage communities and Chinese New Year featuring foods included in the novel and traditions of the holiday.

LGBTQIA+ in STEM Job Fair- Librarians can use this book to introduce LGBTQIA+ women in STEM featuring them around the library. Invite local women and LGBTQIA+ STEM workers to talk on the field, education, and culture.

Speed Round Book Talk:

Lily knows she is expected to be a good Chinese girl, she knows what people expect her to be, but she's not so sure she knows herself. She only knows she wants to be an astronaut and that she can't help but be captivated by male impersonator, Tommy Andrews. The Telegraph Club calls to Lily tempting the discovery of her true self, but will the world let her?

Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:

Malinda Lo spent much time researching experiences of LGBTQIA+ women during the settings of this historical fiction novel. She includes a thorough author's note describing where she took liberties in historical/fictional aspects as well as expanding on themes or events present in the work. She explains that it was a challenge to find much reference to Chinese American women apart of the LGBTQIA+ community in Chinatown.

This novel has been banned in many states and schools, over 34 cases, which has inspired Malinda Lo to take a deep dive into why her books are banned and how to combat this challenge for herself and for Americans. This book receives pushback due to its strong LGBTQIA+ themes. Unfortunately Malinda Lo does not see the behavior of book banning and challenging to slow down. (Lo, 2023).

Reason for Inclusion:

I included the audiobook of Last Night at the Telegraph Club into my blog because I have heard really great things about it and wanted to check it out for myself. Upon listening I was transported to Chinatown. When Lily is hiding in the corner store reading A Strange Season my heart raced just like hers, when her mother was being jostled in the car I laughed, this narrator evoked such strong emotions. This book not only identified real feelings, but shed light on a group of real people who were hidden from history, amongst the backdrop of Mccarthyism in China Town. Many teen girls can relate to the journey that Lily goes through and unfortunately many will relate to her pain too but at least they won't feel alone.

Check Out:

Fan Art by @spiritintheteapot

References:

BookSource. (n.d.). Last Night at the Telegraph Club. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.booksource.com/products/last-night-at-the-telegraph-club__9780525555278.aspx

Lo, M. (2023). My Books Have Been Banned or Challenged in 16 States. https://www.malindalo.com/blog/2023/10/3/book-banning-2023

Lo, M. (n.d.). About. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.malindalo.com/about

Lo, M. (n.d.). Last Night at the Telegraph Club. Accessed June 2024, from https://www.malindalo.com/lastnight

Spiritintheteapot. (2021). Bathroom Line Scene from Last Night at the Telegraph Club Fan Art. PillowFort. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.pillowfort.social/posts/2388370

Spiritintheteapot. (2022). Ice Cream Scene from Last Night at the Telegraph Club Fan Art. PillowFort. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.pillowfort.social/posts/2564617