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Librarybelle
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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It‘s time for our #LiteraryCrew discussion! I have 7 questions posted as spoilers; you can find these on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.

I think this is my favorite of Davis‘s I‘ve read so far. Hope you enjoyed it too!

TheBookHippie Greenland is the world's largest island, not a continent, and is located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. It is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. While part of North America geographically, it has strong cultural and historical ties to Europe, particularly Norway and Denmark. 1d
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TheBookHippie Nuuk, Greenland's capital, is a small city on the country's southwest coast. Its large fjord system is known for waterfalls, humpback whales and icebergs. The waterfront is dotted with brightly colored houses against the backdrop of Sermitsiaq mountain. Greenland National Museum has mummies and Inuit skin boats, while the Nuuk Art Museum displays local works. The Katuaq cultural center offers films, concerts and art.
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TheBookHippie Greenland's education system includes primary, secondary, and higher education levels, with a 10-year compulsory primary education for children aged 6-16. While education is free, including university, and students may receive a monthly grant, challenges remain in quality and completion rates, particularly at the secondary and higher education levels. 1d
Jerdencon I really enjoyed this one! But I love all her books! 24h
PurpleyPumpkin I really enjoyed this book! It reminded me of The Briar Club, but went in a different direction. A definite pick for me!👍🏽 13h
Sargar114 Good pick, thank you for hosting! 11h
Sargar114 @PurpleyPumpkin agree there are similarities to the Briar Club, especially with it being the same time period. Still working my way through that one but I like the artsy feel of this one. 11h
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Librarybelle
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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7. McCarthyism plays a massive role in this novel. Do you think McCarthyism made romantic and friendly relationships dif­ficult? Why or why not? If so, what were the complications and the conse­quences of having a relationship? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Link in comments to a PBS American Experience page on Joseph McCarthy and McCarthyism

mcctrish I think connections can be found between McCarthyism and Trumpism today. It is really hard to overlook that kind of awful in a person 1d
Jerdencon @mcctrish I agree! So many times I was reading about McCarthyism it felt like I was reading about the ICE raids and it made me sad on how the world doesn‘t ever learn. 23h
Deblovestoread I agree! There are so many similarities. History continues to repeat itself. 16h
Sargar114 It‘s hard not to be disappointed in someone who shares appalling beliefs about a group of people the way McCarthyism and Trumpers do. 11h
6 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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6. “Maxine‘s bravery in the square, as well as now, with the major, astonished Hazel. She wished she were that brash. But she wouldn‘t dare question an authority figure. Always the understudy, in life as well as in art.” How does Hazel transform throughout the novel, and does the word “understudy,” which she considers to have negative connotations, change in meaning as well? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 Oh interesting I forgot about her role at the start as an understudy.considering once she took the lead and directed she became much more of a fighter and much more brazen. 11h
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Librarybelle
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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5. How do Hazel and Maxine subvert or conform to 1950s expectations and gender roles? ~from Reading Group Guides #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 I found it interesting that Maxine was able to be a spy by conforming. She was able to get inside and serve the needs of the party. Hazel fought so hard (rightfully so) but it‘s ultimately what led her to be an outcast. 11h
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Librarybelle
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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4. What did you think of Charlie and his desire to join the FBI? How do you think his relationship with his father shaped his am­bitions? Were you rooting for him and Hazel? Why or why not? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

mcctrish Charles totally bought into the idea that communism was wrong and his country was true and righteous and wanted to fight on the side of good. Then he learned countries are ruled by men and they are not always promoting good. I rooted for them so hard 1d
Deblovestoread I wanted them to work it out. Hazel lost everything. 16h
Sargar114 I don‘t know if I was rooting for them. I wasn‘t terribly fond of Hazel and she seemed to sabotage as well. While I don‘t know how Charlie really felt about the FBI, it‘s seemed pretty bold of her to ask him not to plow what he thought was his dream. 11h
6 likes3 comments
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Librarybelle
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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3. When Maxine flubs her lines on opening night, her career doesn‘t suffer, but Hazel‘s does. Why do you think that is? How would you have reacted in Hazel‘s situation? Do you think she has a right to be bitter about the suc­cess of Wartime Sonata‘s revival, or should she be grateful? ~from Reading Group Guides #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

mcctrish What a double edged sword this was - I would totally have been so upset with Maxine and so bitter but the bitterness did really impact Hazel‘s life and that just made it feel a waste 1d
Jerdencon I feel like Maxine doing that set the trajectory of Hazels life… it wasn‘t just a quick fix it had long term repercussions. 23h
Deblovestoread I love Broadway musicals but don‘t know enough about what decides a closing. Up until Maxine‘s purposeful errors the buzz was positive, it seemed extreme that the actress erroring would shut it down. 16h
Sargar114 I mean, Hazel was an outsider who was on the cusp of being blacklisted due to the communist scare it makes sense that the powers that be find a reason to shut it down. It completely upended her career and because of her status couldn‘t overcome. Maxine was already somewhat established so she could overcome a speed bump. 11h
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Librarybelle
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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2. If Maxine had not made the tragic choice she did, do you think she and Hazel would have renewed their friendship? If you were in Hazel‘s shoes, would you forgive Maxine? Why or why not? ~ from Reading Group Guides #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Jerdencon Im not sure they would have ever gone back to the way they were. Hazel was very head strong and not sure she would have completely forgiven Maxine. 23h
Deblovestoread Maxine‘s choice changed Hazel‘s life trajectory. It would be hard to forgive it. 16h
Sargar114 It‘s tough because Hazel wouldn‘t have gotten the opportunity she got if it weren‘t for Maxine, but then to ultimately bomb the play to save her destroyed her life. Like @Deblovestoread said, completely changed the trajectory. We can see the why but Hazel will always wonder what could have been… 12h
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Librarybelle
The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis
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1. I enjoy Davis's works because she focuses each story on a landmark in New York City. For this novel, we visit the Hotel Chelsea.

Have you visited the Hotel Chelsea? Do you want to visit after reading this book?

Links in comments to an interview in which Davis details her reasons to feature the Hotel Chelsea, as well as the history of the hotel from the hotel's website. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

mcctrish I totally want to visit it someday 1d
Jerdencon I actually have been in the lobby of the hotel (I live in NYC). It‘s been redone and is very artsy and cool. I need to go back now that I‘ve read the book. I have eaten at El. Quiojte several times - they have the best sangria! 23h
Deblovestoread Would love to visit some day. I, too, like the setting of Davis‘s novels and getting an intimate look at historical buildings. 16h
Sargar114 Never been, but would love to. I actually wish this story had more of it. It felt like it started strong but then got away from the hotel itself. 12h
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kezzlou85
Summer Fridays: A Novel | Suzanne Rindell
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@DebinHawaii #5JoysFriday
Made some lime lattice cookies
My eldest went to her 6th form leavers party
Sunflowers are growing one is nearly 6ft
Pretty blue flowers
And first early raspberry.
Play along all.

AmyG She looks lovely! ❤️ 4d
dabbe 💙🩵💙 4d
kezzlou85 @AmyG thanks. She's not a girly girl but really likes this dress. 4d
AmyG Love the dress with the boots. ❤️ (I am not a girly girl either) 4d
kezzlou85 @AmyG I think it works better that way and shows her personality more. To her high school prom she had a pink bow tie and jacket with trousers and it was just so her. She looked amazing then too. 3d
30 likes5 comments
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Kshakal
Summer Fridays: A Novel | Suzanne Rindell
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Thanks for the tag @peaKnit

#5joysfriday @DebinHawaii

1. Pumpkin
2. Winnie
3. New bookstores
4. Lazy days
5. Air conditioning

@JenReadsAlot @BethM @Eggs

Eggs Thanks Kerri! 4d
Aims42 God bless air conditioning 🥳🥳🥳 4d
dabbe 💙🩵💙 4d
dabbe @Aims42 I second that! 🤩 4d
AnnCrystal 💝💝💝💝💝. 4d
29 likes5 comments