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A Reese Witherspoon YA Book Club Pick!
A New York Times bestselling novel, The Downstairs Girl is a compelling and poignant story following seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan, a Chinese American girl living in segregated 1890s Atlanta.
‘Everyone needs to read this book‘ Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval
‘A jewel of a story. By shining a light on the lives of those whom history usually ignores, Stacey Lee gives us a marvellous gift: an entirely new and riveting look at our past’ Candace Fleming, award-winning author of The Family Romanov
***
Seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan is leading a double life. By day, she works as a lady’s maid, navigating life on the margins of a society determined that a person’s worth is measured by the colour of their skin. By night, she’s the voice behind the most radical advice column in 1890s Atlanta.
Jo is used to feeling invisible, but she won’t let it hold her back. While her priority is making sure that she and her father, Old Gin, remain safe in their hideaway beneath a print shop, she still has ambition. And strong opinions of her own that she begins to share in a newspaper advice column under the pseudonym ‘Miss Sweetie’. Suddenly, all of Atlanta is talking about her ideas, although little do they know that the witty advice comes from a penniless Chinese girl.
As curiosity about Miss Sweetie mounts, Jo’s secret identity may not stay secret for much longer. And as she learns more of the hard truths about her identity and her country, she must find the courage to decide between being herself or staying invisible . . .
***
Praise for The Downstairs Girl
‘Immersive, important, and thoroughly entertaining, The Downstairs Girl sparkles with all of Stacey Lee’s signature humour, charm, warmth, and wisdom’ Kelly Loy Gilbert, Morris Award Finalist for Conviction
‘A gorgeously researched, feminist historical novel‘ Melissa Albert, bestselling author of The Hazel Wood
‘This vividly rendered historic novel will keep readers riveted as witty, observant Jo deals with the dangers of questioning power‘ The Washington Post
‘I couldn’t put it down. It was so much fun. Stacey writes great historical fiction centring people of colour‘ Camryn Garrett, author of Full Disclosure
‘[A] thrilling historical novel’ Booklist
‘A detailed and vibrant picture of life in the past‘ The New York Times
‘Clever, funny, and poignant, The Downstairs Girl is Stacey Lee at her best’ Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of The Crown’s Game
‘Prepare to fall headlong in love with The Downstairs Girl. I certainly did!’ Robin LaFevers, New York Times bestselling author of the His Fair Assassin trilogy
A New York Times bestselling novel, The Downstairs Girl is a compelling and poignant story following seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan, a Chinese American girl living in segregated 1890s Atlanta.
‘Everyone needs to read this book‘ Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval
‘A jewel of a story. By shining a light on the lives of those whom history usually ignores, Stacey Lee gives us a marvellous gift: an entirely new and riveting look at our past’ Candace Fleming, award-winning author of The Family Romanov
***
Seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan is leading a double life. By day, she works as a lady’s maid, navigating life on the margins of a society determined that a person’s worth is measured by the colour of their skin. By night, she’s the voice behind the most radical advice column in 1890s Atlanta.
Jo is used to feeling invisible, but she won’t let it hold her back. While her priority is making sure that she and her father, Old Gin, remain safe in their hideaway beneath a print shop, she still has ambition. And strong opinions of her own that she begins to share in a newspaper advice column under the pseudonym ‘Miss Sweetie’. Suddenly, all of Atlanta is talking about her ideas, although little do they know that the witty advice comes from a penniless Chinese girl.
As curiosity about Miss Sweetie mounts, Jo’s secret identity may not stay secret for much longer. And as she learns more of the hard truths about her identity and her country, she must find the courage to decide between being herself or staying invisible . . .
***
Praise for The Downstairs Girl
‘Immersive, important, and thoroughly entertaining, The Downstairs Girl sparkles with all of Stacey Lee’s signature humour, charm, warmth, and wisdom’ Kelly Loy Gilbert, Morris Award Finalist for Conviction
‘A gorgeously researched, feminist historical novel‘ Melissa Albert, bestselling author of The Hazel Wood
‘This vividly rendered historic novel will keep readers riveted as witty, observant Jo deals with the dangers of questioning power‘ The Washington Post
‘I couldn’t put it down. It was so much fun. Stacey writes great historical fiction centring people of colour‘ Camryn Garrett, author of Full Disclosure
‘[A] thrilling historical novel’ Booklist
‘A detailed and vibrant picture of life in the past‘ The New York Times
‘Clever, funny, and poignant, The Downstairs Girl is Stacey Lee at her best’ Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of The Crown’s Game
‘Prepare to fall headlong in love with The Downstairs Girl. I certainly did!’ Robin LaFevers, New York Times bestselling author of the His Fair Assassin trilogy
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Reviews
A compelling domestic drama with a winning heroine
Lee's profound writing tackles topics of politics and race with a main character who isn't afraid to speak her mind
A triumph of storytelling. A bold portrait of this country's past, brilliantly painted with wit, heartbreak, and unflinching honesty. Everyone needs to read this book
This has to be my favourite, hands down, Stacey Lee book ever
Unflinching in its portrayals of racism yet ultimately hopeful and heartfelt, this narrative places voices frequently left out of historical fiction centre stage . . . superb writing, deliberate pacing, and slow reveal of secrets make this a believable and enjoyable read
This vividly rendered historic novel will keep readers riveted as witty, observant Jo deals with the dangers of questioning power
In her latest work, Lee continues to demonstrate that Chinese people were present - and had a voice - in American history. She deftly weaves historical details with Jo's personal story of finding a voice and a place for herself in order to create a single, luminous work
Clever, funny, and poignant, The Downstairs Girl is Stacey Lee at her best
I spent an entire day reading this! I couldn't put it down. It was so much fun. Stacey writes great historical fiction centering people of colour, and I got to learn cool history while also rooting for a badass
The Downstairs Girl is rich in historical detail and anchored by Stacey Lee's buoyant prose and a heroine whose voice leaps off the page
A fascinating story of life in the margins . . . The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee effortlessly blends historical fact and tightly-plotted fiction into a story that you'll absolutely devour in one day
Stacey Lee's most recent novel is a stunning work of historical fiction that explores often-overlooked pieces of America's past and had me gasping at every plot twist
The Downstairs Girl holds a mirror to our present issues while giving us a detailed and vibrant picture of life in the past . . . The challenges Jo faces ring true for the novel's historical setting, but they will also ring strong for Lee's contemporary readers. As a young person, Jo is resoundingly American-an observant, open-minded, forward-thinking new woman with a Chinese face and a Southern accent. Her engaging voice, along with her emerging self-reliance and maturity, drive the novel and make her a character we can easily relate to. Punctuating her narrative with Miss Sweetie's tart and pun-filled advice, Jo's witty and arresting turns of phrase and her positive outlook give buoyancy to her story even in its dire moments. As Jo tackles all injustices head-on, and tension rises, the book races to a soundly satisfying conclusion
Immersive, important, and thoroughly entertaining, The Downstairs Girl sparkles with all of Stacey Lee's signature humour, charm, warmth, and wisdom
a definite must-read . . . The Downstairs Girl is a story of race and gender in America that is not often told
A gorgeous tale that will steal your heart. This is not only a keeper, but a classic!
Jo's wit and humour shine through her narration both in the sage advice she hands out as Miss Sweetie and her casual observations . . . a compelling domestic drama with a winning heroine
A jewel of a story. By shining a light on the lives of those whom history usually ignores, Stacey Lee gives us a marvellous gift: An entirely new and riveting look at our past
Moving, thought-provoking, and historical, Stacey Lee, quite like her protagonist, writes a compelling piece
[A] gorgeously researched, butter-rich feminist historical novel from one of the best in YA
Featuring historical signposts (streetcar segregation, suffragists on safety bicycles) and memorable, well-developed characters, this captivating novel explores intersectionality, conveys the effects of restrictions placed on women and people of colour, and celebrates the strengths and talents of marginalized people struggling to break society's barriers in any age
All of Lee's books offer a stunning level of historical accuracy and feel like mini time machines, including her latest. This story about using your voice is one of Lee's best
Unflinching in its portrayals of racism yet ultimately hopeful and heartfelt, this narrative places voices frequently left out of historical fiction centre stage. Recommended for any collection
An apt, powerful read
This utterly original historical fiction by Stacey Lee is an absolute delight
An eye-opening social commentary, that's written with warmth and humour, it's definitely worth a read
This book was fantastic. I loved everything about it, from the characters to the plot to the setting . . . I highly recommend that you check it out!
Lee has concocted another thrilling historical novel, blending stellar plotting and a dynamic cast of characters with well-researched details and sharp commentary on America's history of racism and prejudice. This spectacular, voice-driven novel raises powerful questions about how we understand the past, as well as the ways our current moment is still shaped by that understanding
History, mystery, social commentary, adventure - this book's got it all!
I almost want to dare readers to not be delighted by its newspaper office shenanigans, clandestine assignations in cemeteries, and bicycle-riding adventures, but there's honestly no point. The Downstairs Girl, for all its serious and timely content, is a jolly good time
Once again, Stacey Lee shines light on an overlooked segment of America's past and reveals truths about its present . . . A masterful novel from an exceptional storyteller. Highly recommended