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The Chelsea Girls
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
175 posts | 58 read | 1 reading | 61 to read
From Fiona Davis, the nationally bestselling author of The Dollhouse and The Address, the bright lights of the theater district, the glamour and danger of 1950s New York, and the wild scene at the iconic Chelsea Hotel come together in a dazzling new novel about the twenty-year friendship that will irrevocably change two women's lives. From the dramatic redbrick facade to the sweeping staircase dripping with art, the Chelsea Hotel has long been New York City's creative oasis for the many artists, writers, musicians, actors, filmmakers, and poets who have called it home--a scene playwright Hazel Riley and actress Maxine Mead are determined to use to their advantage. Yet they soon discover that the greatest obstacle to putting up a show on Broadway has nothing to do with their art, and everything to do with politics. A Red scare is sweeping across America, and Senator Joseph McCarthy has started a witch hunt for Communists, with those in the entertainment industry in the crosshairs. As the pressure builds to name names, it is more than Hazel and Maxine's Broadway dreams that may suffer as they grapple with the terrible consequences, but also their livelihood, their friendship, and even their freedom. Spanning from the 1940s to the 1960s, The Chelsea Girls deftly pulls back the curtain on the desperate political pressures of McCarthyism, the complicated bonds of female friendship, and the siren call of the uninhibited Chelsea Hotel.
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Judybskt
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

Finally finished! It was a good one.

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Judybskt
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Too busy in the garden to read this, but I am enjoying it! 🌺🐝🌳🌼

Chelsea.Poole Gorgeous peony!! 🌸 10mo
14 likes1 comment
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Judybskt
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Started working in my gardens today. So now it‘s time for a new book and a bath!

keys_on_fire I think I‘m gonna make May my Fiona Davis month and read this and others of hers that I haven‘t gotten around to so that I can get even more excited about 11mo
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jdiehr
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Mehso-so

This is the first Fiona Davis book that I didn't love.

It takes place during the McCarthy era and focuses on two women in the arts.

It felt predictable to me.

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angieinwonderland
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
Pickpick

As usual, Fiona Davis teaches me something I don't know while entertaining me with an immersive tale. I love her writing and her focus being on famous NYC buildings with history.

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Aims42
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

After reading my first Fiona Davis book earlier this year (“The Magnolia Palace”) I started to read her backlist and have not been disappointed. She has such a gift for weaving a major historical event into a riveting plot with characters who seem to leap off the page. “The Chelsea Girls” is no exception and is another hit 🙌 I‘ve already got my preorder in for her next book that‘s publishing in June 2023 😁

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Verity
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

The Chelsea Girls follows a twenty year friendship between Hazel and Maxine, which started with trauma in Italy. They‘re both engaging and intriguing characters and as the red scare comes to Broadway, they both find themselves in the spotlight. It‘s tense but also a wonderful portrait of the Chelsea Hotel – famously home to artists and bohemians, it becomes their refuge as they battle the forces trying to tear their lives apart.

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Laughterhp
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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So many books collected in June! In case you didn‘t know I had an issue! 🤣

Right stack: Top 3 library books, bottom 3 books I‘ve got for free

Left stack: I had a free book on ThriftBooks and then had to get enough books for free shipping (ones with stickers), the top 5 were bought from my local indie. I had to buy books for #LMPBC and of course couldn‘t get just one!

Any you‘d recommend I start with?

#bookhaul #junebookhaul #summerreading

marleed Oh, I started following Chanel Cleeton and reading all her books on Cuba after first falling for the cover of Next Year in Havana and then the actual book. (Book 2 of her 4 books is the only one I didn‘t really like.). …I love reading the characters Fiona Davis drops in NYC buildings and really liked the Chelsea Girls. And I just purchased Disl A for Aunties for a July read! 3y
Laughterhp @marleed Oh that‘s good to know! I‘m excited to read that one then. I‘ve only read 1 book by Fiona Davis, but I remember really liking it! 3y
janeycanuck Dial A for Aunties is HILARIOUS. Definitely pick that one up soon. And I echo @marleed on Fiona David - I haven‘t read Chelsea Girls but have really liked the others I‘ve read by her. 3y
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LeslieO
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#woman #CuriousCovers
I have a plan to read all the Fiona Davis building books and to pair with them a nonfiction book about the building. So far I‘ve read Life at the Dakota so The Address will be next. I have The Barbizon to pair with The Dollhouse. I don‘t have a nonfiction to pair with the tagged book yet.

DivineDiana I love your plan! ❤️ 3y
marleed That‘s a great way to read her books! 3y
Eggs Great idea!! There‘s a new one coming out I‘ve heard👍🏼🌹🤗 3y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love her!! My cat‘s named after Fiona! 😽😽 3y
LeslieO @DivineDiana @marleed Thanks, I like to have a plan. I only have nonfiction to go with The Address and The Dollhouse but I‘m working on the others 3y
LeslieO @Eggs Oooh! I looked it up it‘s about The Frick. Can‘t wait! 3y
LeslieO @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💙 Great cat name! 3y
39 likes7 comments
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cwarnier
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#12booksof2020 @andrew65
I forgot to post my last of the 12 days of Christmas yesterday.
I really enjoyed this one set in a different time period. I know it was was a fiction book, but I learned a lot of this timer period.

megnews I love historical fiction but this isn‘t a time period I read much. And I learned a lot too. 3y
19 likes1 comment
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BlueStockingReviews
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

An intriguing and satisfying story of an iconic hotel, female friendships and a dark era of our political past. https://www.bluestockingreviews.com/post/the-chelsea-girls check out the full review ...#findinggreatreads #readitloveit # BlueStockingReviews

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Acoleman
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

This was good but much different than I thought it would be. Less about this hotel that‘s a haven for the creative souls and much more about communism in the entertainment industry in the 50‘s. Enjoyable. Favorite quote ( from any book read recently ) - ‘Still, the world is run by men who want power, who will say anything to attain it, and do anything to retain it‘ Hoping to see that change more and more.

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marleed
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

Except for New York City‘s Chelsea Hotel, I didn‘t know the subject matter of this book. My goodness, reading about the political pressures of Senator McCarthy and Roy Cohn in their hunt for communists back in the 50s bears striking similarities to current affairs.

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lowellette
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

I guess I forgot to add this one. Full of McCarthyism, Communist spies, and Broadway. Not The Americans, this one deals more with friendships than assassins. An enjoyable, light read. The narrator is wonderful.

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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Mehso-so

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I thought the story was good, but the writing was so mediocre! It was too flowery and did a lot of telling, not showing (if I understand that whole thing right). I rather regret sticking it out now, as nothing exciting ever happened anyway. I did enjoy the setting and the whole Mccarthy era background and have to give her credit for thorough research.

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Kappadeemom
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Just finished this one!

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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD FOLKS
When we read this together many of you wanted to learn and read more about mcCarthyism, the red scare, etc and we had such good discussions about this I thought I‘d let you know about this film.

This movie currently on Netflix and portrayed it very well. I highly recommend watching it. This is a true story FYI.

kspenmoll Thanks fir the recommendation! 4y
CarolynM I loved the movie, have just bought the book. It worries me how many apparently intelligent people I know obviously don't know what I'm talking about when I mention "McCarthyism". It's such recent history yet already largely forgotten. 4y
TheBookHippie @CarolynM RIGHT? So crazy that no one knows it. 4y
mollyrotondo Fantastic movie! Made me really not like John Wayne 4y
46 likes4 comments
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AmyK1
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

Hazel and Maxine meet in 1945 when they‘re both part of a USO show in Naples, Italy. They quickly become best friends but the Red Scare drives them apart. This is a story about friendship, loyalty, betrayal and, ultimately, forgiveness.

Spot 4 for #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
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AmyK1
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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In the dead of night, during the dreary month of March, the Chelsea Hotel is a quiet place.

#firstlinefridays @ShyBookOwl

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wen4blu
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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The book was perfectly positioned until I stepped away to take a picture, then down it went.

Soubhiville And I was trying to figure out how you got it to balance like that! 4y
CoverToCoverGirl 😬🤣😂🤣 4y
Hooked_on_books I love that you caught it mid-fall. Awesome action shot! 4y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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1) The Chelsea Girls
2) Too many characters and plot lines!!!
3) Kimberly Belle

I hope everyone is safe and well ❤️
#WondrousWednesdsy

Eggs Perfect 👌🏼! 4y
73 likes1 comment
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sprainedbrain
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

I saw some negative reviews for this book and put it off despite having an ARC. Pleased to report that I enjoyed it thoroughly: spanning the end of WWII through the late 1960s, encompassing McCarthyism, communist spies, and the broadway theater scene, all with the iconic Hotel Chelsea as a backdrop and a colorful cast of characters. Even with all that, it‘s fun to read and not complicated (exactly what my squirrel brain needs right now).

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

lynneamch Love Fiona Davis. Will definitely try this one. Thanks! 4y
105 likes1 comment
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Sharpeipup
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Not exactly sure why but not in love with this one.

TheBookHippie Same!!!!! Lol! 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love her books, but this one wasn't my favorite... 4y
SilversReviews It was difficult to follow and get into. 4y
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LitsyHappenings
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Repost for @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks :

Our lineup for the year!! We hope you can join us! Discussion every Sunday at 1 pm cst!! 📚🙌🏻📚🙌🏻

#BotmBuddyRead

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you!! 💛 4y
Sargar114 I am so excited seeing some books I have on this list!!! Will definitely be joining in May and September! Yay! I‘ve been missing the buddy reads! @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks and @TheBookHippie 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Sargar114 awesome!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 4y
35 likes3 comments
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InkintheMargins
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

I'm going to give this one 🌟🌟🌟 stars for the storyline and 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for peaking my curiosity about The Chelsea Hotel and sending me down Google's rabbit hole. What a complicated and fascinating history...

Mariposa_Bookworm Have you read The Masterpiece by her? I enjoyed that one so much! It had a touch of mystery that was so good! 4y
InkintheMargins @Mariposa_Bookworm I have not read that one. This was my first book by her. I'll have to check it out! 4y
15 likes2 comments
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Mehso-so

#BOTMBUDDYREAD
Keep discussing as you get the chance!
We will see you again on March 8!!
Discussion,as always was wonderful. Although I‘d never have finished this book if not leading this/ I‘m glad I did. It‘s always fun to see all the varying opinions as we all read the same book it gives good insight to the world around us. So thankful we do it respectfully with kindness and all learn from each other and the book! Thank you❤️📖
Pic makes me 🙃

Soubhiville I love this picture! 4y
TheBookHippie @Soubhiville it makes me happy! 4y
Crazeedi Dang I missed today's discussion agsin!! I will look and respond soon 4y
44 likes3 comments
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Librarybelle I totally want to read more about the Chelsea! Such an icon. 4y
kspenmoll Thanks for the research & fabulous articles. I had no idea the ghost aspect was a real thing; just thought the author made it up.❤️❤️❤️ Makes me want to visit the Chelsea! (edited) 4y
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TheBookHippie @kspenmoll I want to go on a ghost tour there 🤣❤️ but I‘d love a field trip for us all to visit it! 4y
kspenmoll @TheBookHippie Would love to do that! I can take a train in from CT 4y
JaclynW Touring The Chelsea would be amazing! Thanks for the extra bits of information, awesome picture and great questions that led to fantastic discussions. One book leads to another yet again! I want to know more about the place and time period.💜 4y
TheBookHippie @JaclynW that‘s the best part for me! 4y
6 likes7 comments
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #11

What did you think of Maxine‘s life?

Pictured the ghost of the Chelsea‘s Hotel
The Chelsea Hotel is regarded as being in the top ten of the most haunted hotels in the world. Over the last century, the hotelhas seen its share of immoral behavior, death and despair. All of these events seemed to have left their mark on the hotel.

Librarybelle Maxine‘s life was not easy. I mentioned in an earlier question that she seemed lost. She had to put up with so much, made some pretty bad choices (though she thought she was doing the right thing at the time), but yet it seemed so fitting that she went back to the Chelsea at the end. She went home...a resonating thought. I‘m sure the Chelsea has a lot more tales than we know...of walls could talk... 4y
JaclynW I think Maxine was just trying to do her best. She cared so much about her grandmother and wanted to protect her. She wanted a good life for them both. And to show those that gave her grandmother a bad time that she was going to make something of herself. She was young and got taken advantage of by Arthur. 4y
JaclynW @Librarybelle Very fitting. I'm sure the hotel has oodles of stories! I would love to hear them all. 4y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @JaclynW me too!!! And her life was just sad for me... 😥 4y
JaclynW @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So sad, all around and up to the very end. 4y
kspenmoll Maxine‘s life was complicated & dictated by the Party, who controlled her thru her grandmother. She was young & impressionable when she got mixed up with them. All very sad. It felt right that she went to the Chelsea, her one semblance of home, to die. I love the ghost aspect at the Chelsea. 4y
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #10

Do you think that reading all at once would have been better for you in this book or does taking it apart make it a better read for you? Did you learn anything?

Librarybelle I enjoyed reading about a time period I‘ve rarely read about, both in fiction and nonfiction. I think reading this in parts helped me, only because of the discussions. Had I read this on my own, I may have stopped reading before we discover who Maxine is. 4y
JaclynW I didn't mind reading it slowly and in parts. It allows me to ponder it a bit. I definitely want to know more about this time period. It is rarely taught or talked about. Do you know of any other great books? 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Librarybelle and @JaclynW I agree and love our discussions! 4y
JaclynW @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks The discussions are always helpful and add so many layers! 4y
kspenmoll I i#like reading in parts; I pay more attention & learn from our discussions. I never would have notices the 3 separate typesettings for example! 4y
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #9

Will we ever know all the creative loss from this time period?

Why is it regimes take down art? What does this do to people on both sides artist/audience ? Is this purposeful?

Librarybelle It‘s hard to imagine how much was lost thanks to the Red Scare. It seems like anything involving creativity is targeted. Art means free thinking, which doesn‘t comply with regimes that want the masses to follow their specific rules and guidelines. 4y
JaclynW That is a fascinating question. One I've wondered about. It is often the first to go. It is crazy. I think the Arts are what make people love life. It is that additional layer that makes you feel complete, even luxurious. It compliments life. It expands perspectives and shows alternatives. Artists are free thinkers and often not rule followers. This scares regimes that want control. Art puts *ideas* in people's heads and they don't want that! 4y
JaclynW @Librarybelle Yep! I bet SO much talent was lost in all of that mess. We will never know. Sadly. 4y
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AmyG We will never know the art that could have been created by the people who were blacklisted. Why art? There is great truth to art....truth that regimes don‘t want revealed. 4y
kspenmoll Creative expression is hard to control; thus it is targeted in any repressive regime. I don‘t think we can ever know or total up the movies not made, the plays not written or performed, the music( reminds me of the Weavers who were blacklisted) the painting, sculpture, etc. that was lost. (edited) 4y
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #8

Is life all grey? Do you see it as black and white?
What was Hazel? Maxine ?

Librarybelle I think life can be a mixture of gray, black and white. It depends upon mood and feelings. If you think of gray as various layers, both Hazel and Maxine have many layers to their personality. 4y
JaclynW I think life is ALL over the place!! 😄 I think it is rarely black and white. Wouldn't that be amazing and simple.🖤 Hazel was probably more of a black/white thinker. Maxine all gray. The grays muddy things up and make it hard to make clear cut decisions. To me the grays represent our pasts and all of those circumstances and events that got us to where we are now. They shape us. Right or wrong. It isn't *always* clear cut. ⬇️ 4y
JaclynW For example, I can say murder is wrong. But I *may* commit it if a loved one was in danger or in self-defense. That is obviously an extreme example but it shows my point. It just isn't always easy. Too many things factor into decisions. 4y
JaclynW @Librarybelle Yes to the layers! 4y
AmyG Life is both...sometimes gray, sometimes black and white. You both make great points @JaclynW @Librarybelle. 4y
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #7

What do think of Maxine now?
Hazel?

Do you like either or both?
Was this friendship ?
Why or why not?

Librarybelle Maxine seems lost, and Hazel is bitter. I feel more sympathy for Hazel than for Maxine, though I couldn‘t really say if I prefer one over the other. I feel they both regretted what happened in the friendship, for different reasons. Both also realized too late that they could have moved on, maybe not be as close as they were, but still have some sort of a friendship. 4y
JaclynW I liked them both. I do think there was genuine friendship there. It was complicated though. I felt for both women. They both had past issues that made things difficult and directed their choices. I do think Hazel was more of a genuine person to the core. Maxine wanted to be but things in her past shaped and guided her down paths that made it hard for her to always be genuine. I was sad at how it ended. I do think Hazel would have forgiven Maxine. 4y
AmyG I don‘t like Maxine. Yes, her circumstances caused her to behave in certain ways but I found her to be selfish....and kind when it suited her. I feel she had it in her to be a good friend...but she always put herself first where I feel Hazel put her friendship first. 4y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @JaclynW I agree.. I felt like Hazel was a very genuine person. Maxine was as @Librarybelle said “lost” and between a rock and a hard place with her situation. I did feel for her though because she was trying to protect the people closest to her. 4y
TheBookHippie @AmyG I feel the exact opposite 🤣🤣 I feel Maxine actually put Hazel first if not she would have aced her performance and let them get Hazel. It‘s funny how we all read the same book and take it differently . @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🤣 @JaclynW probably is right: both had issues and both tried. I couldn‘t stand Hazel it was like fingers on chalkboard for me: too much woe is me for my liking where as Maxine didn‘t bother me as much. Interesting. 4y
JaclynW @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Yes, Maxine did have a heart and was often in between a rock and a hard place. Do you think that type of "being stuck" comes with living FOR other people and not yourself? Had she followed her heart....would she have been a spy? I kind of doubt it. Arthur really manipulated her. She was living for his love and acceptance. And got lost in that. And in the promises the communist community fed her. 4y
TheBookHippie @Librarybelle I can take lost over bitter I think that was my issue with Hazel. 4y
TheBookHippie @JaclynW I agree. Maxine got caught you trying to make it right for grandma and it spiraled . Hazel was bitter from being emotionally abused by her mom and acted accordingly .. 4y
kspenmoll I felt sad for Maxine. I think she truly craved a genuine friendship with Hazel but her double life got in the way; she saw no way out. When she could, she did try & put Hazel first in her own way. 4y
TheBookHippie @kspenmoll I think Hazel has more free will and choice than Maxine has but acts as if she has none . It‘s an interesting tale. I think Maxine truly cared for Hazel. I don‘t think Hazel cared for Maxine in the same way at all. @JaclynW @AmyG @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Librarybelle (edited) 4y
megnews I think it was friendship but it got all messed up due to circumstances beyond their control and unknown to one. I feel worse for Hazel. Maxines life went just fine. 4y
TheBookHippie @megnews it went fine successfully in her career but at the cost of no personal relationships, looking over her shoulder and suicide. Hazel got her career back, her man back and a fresh start with her new award and her work still going. She lost much but eventually got there, at a huge price yet but at the end of the story she‘s alive. Free. Maxine who was taken advantage as a child, never got free until death sort of, as she is a ghost. Caught. 4y
TheBookHippie @megnews can you tell I fight for the least liked daily ? Always looking for the empathetic angel on their life :) 4y
JaclynW @kspenmoll Agreed. 4y
JaclynW @TheBookHippie That's curious that you think Hazel didn't care for Maxine in the same way. What makes you think so? 4y
TheBookHippie @JaclynW it was always about Hazel- how it affected Hazel. What someone else does it about them not you . I think Hazel was self centered and had to be the one to shine she never even thought oh I wonder how my actions are affecting Maxine she wouldn‘t even write to Maxine until she was in her mind equal. Maxine had Hazel in mind if not she wouldn‘t have thrown the play to protect her. She would have rocked it to make her life better. When 👇🏼 (edited) 4y
TheBookHippie Did Hazel sacrifice self or anything for Maxine? Not a by product by —on purpose. Both were flawed but I believe Maxine was the better. Maxine was a friend. I dont think Hazel was. (edited) 4y
TheBookHippie @JaclynW It‘s hard to tell from a book and snippets. I‘m trained to looked at motive first then outcome. Would you rather a unpure motive and great result or pure motive and awful result . Both pure and then good is the goal. But a lot of Hollywood and Broadway was/is horrific but produced stunning. Maxine‘s flawed heart was in the right place: people. Hazel was in success of career a big name proving herself. Maxine didn‘t help her in her mind. 4y
TheBookHippie @JaclynW so yah 🤣🤣🤣 I‘m not a fan of Hazel. 4y
4 likes19 comments
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #6

Charlie
Do you think he ends up with Hazel?

Librarybelle I like Charlie. I hope so. 4y
JaclynW Yes! I hope so too! @Librarybelle Charley is a good guy. 4y
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AmyG I hope so, too. 4y
kspenmoll Yes I think he does, otherwise why bring him back?! 4y
megnews I hope so too but I don‘t know. 4y
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #5

What of Hazel saying Maxine stole her thunder everytime? Sour grapes? truth ? life ?
Why didn‘t Hazel see her accomplishments?

Librarybelle Hazel had been put down so much, especially by her mother. She constantly competed with the ghost of her brother. I don‘t think Maxine thought she was stealing any of Hazel‘s thunder; merely coincidental. But, I can also see Hazel‘s side - she‘s achieved something, on her own, only to have someone else do something to take the spotlight away from her. 4y
JaclynW It did seem that Hazel's actual work was always taking the backseat to someone else. @Librarybelle Like her brother or Maxine. I got the sense that she never felt good enough. Whether it was done intentionally or not, the spotlight rarely shined directly on Hazel. Do you think she preferred that? Or resented it? Everyone's personalities are different that way. 4y
Librarybelle @JaclynW I think it was a little bit of both - she wasn‘t keen on the spotlight, yet resented the fact she didn‘t have it. You‘re right - everyone‘s personality is different and would react differently. 4y
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AmyG I don‘t blame Hazel for feeling this way. She worked so hard on her play and bringing it to the stage. Yet Maxine blew it for her....and wound up becoming famous. Who wouldn‘t be a bit bitter? 4y
JaclynW @AmyG Yes, it would be hard not to be bitter. 4y
kspenmoll She had no understanding as to why Maxine blew her play- her mom compared her negatively to her dead brother, Maxine had a way of stealing the limelight. I think initially she preferred that but once she separated herself ( with Maxine‘s help)from her mom she began to want the limelight & was bitter about how her life turned out understandably. 4y
megnews I think it‘s truth but also life. I feel bad for Hazel and if I‘m still aggravated at her, a fictional character, for blowing Hazel‘s play, I can‘t imagine how angry Hazel would be. Even though it‘s been a long time, when you‘ve tried to put things behind you and accept something, it‘s difficult and can bring all those emotions back when confronted with it again. 4y
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #4

Charlie reappearing !?

The Tony Award ?!
The speech !
The reunion ?!

Librarybelle It almost seemed too much, and I think Hazel felt that way too. It was touching that Hazel received the award, but I could understand her thoughts and feelings as she walked up to the stage. 4y
JaclynW I would have HATED to be blindsided like that. I would have felt totally unprepared. Yikes! What a surprise. It was a great gesture. Maybe better late than never...but....?? I don't know! I was happy to see Charlie again. What an awkward reunion for Hazel and Maxine. The award did give me hope that it may revitalize Hazel's career. 4y
AmyG I thought that the award was given to....right a wrong. There was the revival of her show and that was an opportunity. I would have hated, too, to be blindsided but I hoped Hazel felt validated...finally. I had a feeling Charlie would return. 4y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Too little too late... 4y
kspenmoll @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Too little too late; agreed. It was in Maxine‘s style, grand theatrical gesture. The whole thing with Charlie‘s hospitalization was real but I thought he gave up too soon & should have tried more to contact her after he was out. 4y
megnews @kspenmoll I agree he should have tried to contact her. She was in the same place! What wasted lives! Despite their differences they seemed good together. I was happy for Hazel for the award but it seems she‘d be sad thinking what it could have been. Typical Maxine! 4y
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #3

What happened to the money for rent !? Did Maxine really love Hazel? Do you think she thought she did good?

Librarybelle Maxine thought she was protecting and helping Hazel. I think she had good intentions, but poor execution. Maxine was trying to right a wrong. The money probably got diverted either to Stanley or to something else to keep the Chelsea afloat. 4y
JaclynW @Librarybelle Agreed. Maxine had good intentions but needed a better plan to follow through on where the money actually went. Maybe the money went to helping The Chelsea but I assumed it went into his pockets. 4y
AmyG Maxine loved herself more than anyone. Did she truly care for Hazel...I think she did. I also think she sent the money due to guilt first, friendship second. I assumed the money was pocketed...like @JaclynW said. (edited) 4y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m thinking Stanley pocketed that month!! 😡 4y
kspenmoll I think it was pocketed by Stanley too. and his son. I think Maxine did grow to love Hazel in her own limited way. 4y
megnews Agreed 😡 4y
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Hazel at 47..are you surprised where she is at? What did you think of her life now?

#BOTMBUDDYREAD #2

Librarybelle It‘s not completely surprising, given how her career was ruined with the Red Scare. I couldn‘t imagine her away from the Chelsea. I felt sorry for her, though. She got to work a bit in theater, but not doing what she truly loved. 4y
JaclynW @Librarybelle I felt sorry for her too. The Red Scare completely ruined her. Had that not happened she would have been on a completely different path. So sad. I was sad to see The Chelsea too. It seemed to fall just as Hazel had. 4y
AmyG I‘m with you both @Librarybelle @JaclynW in that I, too, felt sorry for her. She was very talented, just got her big break and it was all ruined by something she had no control over. 4y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I agree with everyone... so sad! 4y
kspenmoll I am in agreement as well. So many lives got short circuited due to McCarthyism. Her life certainly did. 4y
megnews I agree with everything that was said above. 4y
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #1

THE THREE PRINTS:
There is a ghost (or many ghosts) said to roam the Chelsea. I thought that Maxine was the ghost in the italicised print. Then there‘s Maxine‘s diary and finally the narrator.
So I figured early on Maxine dies and lives forever at the Chelsea.
Did you catch it?

Librarybelle I thought it was Hazel until the end 🤦🏻‍♀️ Shows how observant I am! Haha! 4y
JaclynW I did not catch it. 4y
AmyG It went right over my head. 😳 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I noticed it, but didn‘t put it together until Christine pointed it out!! (edited) 4y
kspenmoll I did not catch it & connect it to Maxine! 4y
7 likes5 comments
review
Librarybelle
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

What started as a so-so read for me turned into a pick for Davis‘ use of the Red Scare and the impact this had on the entertainment industry. I became invested in the story and the setting; I now want to know more about the Chelsea Hotel, beyond all of the rockstar stories I already know. Thanks for another good reading choice for #BOYMBuddyread , @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks and @TheBookHippie !

AmyG Yes. This was a slow burn for me but I ultimately enjoyed it. 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I didn‘t enjoy this one as much as I did her others... @AmyG 4y
AmyG @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks This is my first of hers that I‘ve read. 4y
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Librarybelle @AmyG @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks This was first by her, too. 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @AmyG that‘s nice to know!! 😉😉😉🥰🥰🥰 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Librarybelle I loved her other 3! The Dollhouse, which was her first, is my favorite ❤️ 4y
TheHeartlandBookFairy I read this last month and loved it! I've read two or three of her books now and plan on reading more, she's a wonderful author 😁 4y
TheHeartlandBookFairy @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks , The Dollhouse was my first book to and It's the one that got me hooked on her writing 😁 4y
Librarybelle @TheHeartlandBookFairy I definitely plan to try another book by her! 4y
NatalieR I had the exact same experience with this book. It got better the more I kept reading. 4y
Librarybelle @NatalieR It definitely got better as it progressed! 4y
91 likes12 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Our lineup for the year!! We hope you can join us! Discussion every Sunday at 1 pm cst!! 📚🙌🏻📚🙌🏻

#BotmBuddyRead

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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD FINALE SUNDAY
Tomorrow 2 PM EST 💟
Everyone welcome 📖

Nute Cool cover! 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love this cover!! 4y
50 likes4 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Wrapping this one up tomorrow at 1pm CST!! Questions on @TheBookHippie page!

#BotmBuddyRead

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InkintheMargins
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Fiona Davis's The Chelsea Girls has me so interested in the history and, now, the complex future of The Chelsea Hotel. I stumbled across this recent book cataloging the hotel's final artistic residents who remain despite the hotel's long term closure and renovations. I love to see and read about people who are passionate about art, tradition, and preserving some of the beauty and whim of life. Thinking about splurging for this one!
#BOTMBUDDYREAD

Crazeedi I get this is a great book to explore 4y
14 likes2 comments
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Finale #BOTMBUDDYREAD
Our finale discussion
Sunday 2 PM EST
Cannot wait!
No spoilers here please, some folks still reading !

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️📚❤️ 4y
48 likes1 comment
review
litenthusiast
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

This is probably my favorite Fiona Davis book so far. I loved this book, and I really loved the character, Hazel. In addition, Davis' descriptions of the theatre and opening night transported me to the theatre and it was like I was there with the characters. I found the description of places in NYC to be magical and this story was incredible. So far, this is my favorite book of 2020.

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JenlovesJT47
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

I confess, I picked this book because of the gorgeous cover. 😬 Lucky for me, I really enjoyed this. It‘s not perfectly written — imo the 2 MC‘s need more character development, but it was interesting reading a story set during the time that Joseph McCarthy wreaked havoc on Hollywood and the theater world in the 1950s. Also fun when I realized this was a #BOTMBuddyRead — loved catching up on all the discussions!! 4⭐️

#Historical

tvscag I've heard of this book, but I haven't really seen it anywhere recently. Might have to look on Amazon or something. 4y
JenlovesJT47 @tvscag I found it on the digital library! 4y
RenePenn I have this in my shelf TBR! Hope to get to it soon. 4y
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review
CoffeeNBooks
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

Another great novel by Fiona Davis, The Chelsea Girls is about two women, one an actress and the other a playwright, during the time of Senator McCarthy and the House Unamerican Activities Committee.
#BOTMBuddyRead @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @TheBookHippie
#LitsyAtoZ #C @BookishMarginalia

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💗📚💗 4y
kspenmoll Agree!!!!❤️ 4y
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TheBookHippie
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD

Discussion is so good today!!!
Please continue as long as you want!
Next week is the FINALE discussion!!!
Misty and I have our guesses as to how this ends!
As always the book is so much more reading it with you all!!!

❤️📖Also I have the unpopular like of Maxine opinion and I don‘t like Hazel yet 🤣🤣🤣. So I‘m anxious to finish the book to see if I change my mind!

Till next week!

kspenmoll Hazel is much more needy & immature & righteous. 4y
kspenmoll Thank you for running things; your questions are so thought provoking! 💕💕 4y
TheBookHippie @kspenmoll I do not like Hazel 🤣🤣🤣 4y
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Crazeedi @TheBookHippie I just answered all the questions this morning. Sorry I was so late to party!! 4y
TheBookHippie @Crazeedi no worries a lot of us do!! 4y
45 likes6 comments
review
megnews
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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Pickpick

The end was a bit of a let down after the rest of this great story. However, life doesn‘t always tie up loose ends so I have to say it‘s realistic. I‘d never read anything set during the Red Scare and didn‘t know a lot about it. I‘m a sucker for any book set in NYC. Also love the theatre setting!
#BOTMBuddyRead

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m going to work on finishing tonight.. 4y
6 likes1 comment