The Chelsea Girls By Fiona Davis - Dutton Books

PAPERBACK AVAILABLE NOW - 12/8/2020

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 a twenty-year friendship that will irrevocably change two women's lives—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue.

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.


Review
Praise for The Chelsea Girls

“Davis tells a very good story and deserves all the praise she won for her other books set in famous New York landmarks. . . . What finally emerges from the mix of detailed research and solid writing is a tale that is intricate and subtle, unpredictable and exciting.”—The Washington Post

“A satisfying read about the bonds between women.”—Brenda Janowitz, POPSUGAR

“Davis, who has given juicy supporting roles to New York landmarks in The Masterpiece and The Address, uses Chelsea as a metaphor for the grandeur that was within reach but spirals into a much darker place.”—Associated Press

“Another spectacular novel . . . Davis needs to be celebrated for this. Sure, she gets the history right and does a magnificent job of bringing the Chelsea’s special magic to life. Beyond that, she is an exquisite writer, who captures the essence of people and times.”—The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ)

“The glitz and glamour of the Chelsea Hotel provides a perfect backdrop for Davis's story of friendship, ambition, and behind-the-scenes theatrical intrigue. Hazel and Maxine are complex characters struggling with conflicting questions of loyalty, love, and professional success in a turbulent time. Their story is both a sharp-eyed commentary on female friendship and a vivid glimpse into the life of a New York City icon.”—Shelf Awareness (starred review)

“A completely absorbing page-turner of a read from cover to cover, The Chelsea Girls showcases author Fiona Davis's natural talent as a narrative-driven storyteller who pays meticulous attention to historical background elements while expertly crafting truly memorable characters and an original, entertaining, and thought-provoking story.”—Midwest Book Review

“Davis provides lots of historical details and some unforeseen twists. . . . [An] enjoyable read.”—Missourian

“The glamour of 1950s New York comes alive in this rich novel showcasing the history of the Chelsea Hotel, the theater district, and the twenty-year friendship of playwright Hazel Riley and actress Maxine Mead.”—Woman's World

“Davis's writing is rich in detail, enhanced by her quality research.”—Historical Novels Review

MY REVIEW:

Fiona Davis is certainly a dominant force in the historical fiction genre and an absolute favorite of mine. She not only tackles important historical issues that affect women and the generations that follow but also delivers this through her brilliant and masterful writing. Davis gives the voice of empathy and strength through her astonishing characters you will absolutely love reading about. Also, the stunning world she builds with beautiful descriptions that are rich and vivid in detail of whatever time frame she is writing about, always transports and immerses me into the read. With an impeccable attention to historical facts, her stories are always a winner for me. I love her writing style and she always delivers. 

 In the Chelsea Girls, the famed Chelsea Hotel is brought to life following Hazel, a talented writer, and Maxine a captivating and beautiful actress. Their stories in this immersive read captures elements about the Red Scare and post McCarthyism world at the final years of WWII. This was such an enjoyable read for me that truly captured my heart for these characters whose hopes, dreams, and friendship has come to be realized. Davis captures both the glamour and the dark underbelly of what was happening in the entertainment industry at the time. I absolutely adored this historical fiction read.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT





Fiona Davis is the New York Times bestselling author of historical novels set in iconic New York City buildings, including THE LIONS OF FIFTH AVENUE (a GMA Book Club Pick) and THE CHELSEA GIRLS. She began her career in New York City as an actress, working on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in regional theater. After getting a master's degree at Columbia Journalism School, she fell in love with writing, leapfrogging from editor to freelance journalist before finally settling down to write fiction. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and she’s based in New York City. Visit her at www.fionadavis.net, facebook.com/FionaDavisAuthor/ and on Instagram and Twitter @fionajdavis.