Comprehensive Review of Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Literature Reviews - 2025

Comprehensive Review of Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Overview

Malinda Lo’s Last Night at the Telegraph Club is a poignant and meticulously researched historical novel set in 1950s San Francisco. It follows 17-year-old Lily Hu, a Chinese-American girl navigating her identity as both a lesbian and a daughter of immigrants during the Red Scare era. As she begins to explore her attraction to a classmate, Kathleen Miller, and discovers the underground world of the Telegraph Club—a lesbian nightclub—Lily is forced to reckon with the societal, familial, and political pressures that threaten to dictate her future.

The novel is not only a coming-of-age and first-love story but also an insightful exploration of race, sexuality, and the political climate of mid-century America. Through Lily’s eyes, Malinda Lo brings to life the struggles of LGBTQ+ individuals and Chinese-American immigrants in a time of intense discrimination and fear.

Strengths

  1. Rich Historical Detail and Context

One of the novel’s greatest achievements is its historical accuracy. Lo seamlessly integrates real-life events and cultural elements into Lily’s personal story, making the 1950s feel immersive and authentic. The book touches on key historical issues such as:

  • The Red Scare and McCarthyism — Lily’s father, a naturalized citizen, is targeted for suspicion due to his Chinese heritage and medical work.
  • The Chinese Exclusion Act and its lingering effects — The novel highlights the marginalization of Chinese Americans and their struggle for belonging.
  • Queer life in the 1950s — The depiction of the Telegraph Club and the hidden lesbian community showcases both the joy and dangers of queer existence during this time.

The inclusion of timeline interludes provides additional historical context, grounding Lily’s personal journey within a broader sociopolitical landscape.

  1. Nuanced Exploration of Identity and Intersectionality

Lily’s experience as a Chinese-American lesbian is portrayed with depth and care. She faces not only homophobia but also racial prejudice, even within the queer community. At the Telegraph Club, she is often the only Asian person in the room, and she experiences both fetishization and alienation from white patrons.

Lo also explores the tension between Lily’s personal desires and the expectations of her immigrant family. Lily struggles with the concept of filial piety, feeling torn between her love for her family and her need to live authentically. This internal conflict is one of the novel’s most powerful themes.

  1. Authentic and Tender Depiction of First Love

Lily and Kath’s relationship is beautifully developed. Their romance unfolds with a quiet, hesitant intensity that feels true to first love—full of discovery, confusion, and exhilaration. The secrecy of their love heightens the emotional stakes, and their intimate moments are written with sensitivity and warmth.

  1. Complex Family and Friendship Dynamics

Beyond her relationship with Kath, Lily’s interactions with her family and friends add emotional complexity to the novel:

  • Her parents — Though they love her, their fear of losing their place in America leads them to take drastic measures to suppress her sexuality.
  • Shirley, her childhood best friend — Shirley represents the path Lily is expected to follow, but their relationship frays as Lily begins to forge her own identity.
  • Lily’s aunt and mother’s backstories — Flashbacks provide insight into past generations’ struggles, enriching the novel’s themes of sacrifice and survival.
  1. Thoughtful Representation of Queer History

Many historical novels set in the 1950s ignore or erase LGBTQ+ narratives. Last Night at the Telegraph Club corrects this omission, highlighting the resilience of queer individuals who found ways to exist despite societal repression. Lo’s afterword emphasizes the historical erasure of Chinese-American lesbians and the importance of reclaiming these stories.

Weaknesses

  1. Slow Pacing in the First Half

The novel takes its time setting up Lily’s world, and some readers may find the first half slow-moving. The buildup to Lily’s first visit to the Telegraph Club is careful and deliberate, but those expecting an immediate immersion into the nightclub’s world may need patience.

  1. The Timeline Interludes Can Feel Disjointed

While the historical context provided by interludes from Lily’s parents’ and aunt’s perspectives is valuable, some readers might find these sections interruptive to the main narrative. Their placement can momentarily pull readers away from Lily’s emotional arc.

  1. Some Contrived Plot Points

A few plot developments—such as Lily’s coincidental meeting with Kath in a bathroom stall—feel a bit convenient. However, these moments are minor compared to the novel’s overall realism and emotional depth.

Themes and Social Commentary

  1. The Cost of Authenticity

Lily’s journey is ultimately about self-acceptance and the price of living authentically. Throughout the novel, she faces impossible choices: between love and family, safety and freedom. Her story underscores the sacrifices queer individuals have historically made in order to be themselves.

  1. The Duality of Marginalization

Lily’s experiences highlight how different forms of marginalization intersect. She is seen as “too Chinese” by white Americans but “too American” by her own community. This dual struggle reflects the broader experiences of children of immigrants.

  1. The Erasure of Queer Asian Narratives

Lo’s afterword addresses the historical absence of Chinese-American lesbian stories, noting that while Lily’s story is fictional, real women like her undoubtedly existed. The novel acts as a form of historical reclamation, giving voice to those who were silenced.

Conclusion

Last Night at the Telegraph Club is an essential and beautifully crafted historical novel that sheds light on an often-overlooked part of queer and Asian-American history. Malinda Lo’s lyrical writing, combined with her deep historical research, results in a compelling, bittersweet, and ultimately hopeful coming-of-age story.

While the pacing may be slow for some readers, the novel’s emotional weight, authentic representation, and rich historical detail make it a standout work in young adult and historical fiction. Whether you are drawn to LGBTQ+ narratives, historical fiction, or stories of self-discovery, this book is a must-read.