The Downstairs Girl

I read The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee for my book club with friends at church. The book description reads, "By day, seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady's maid for the cruel daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta. But by night, Jo moonlights as the pseudonymous author of a newspaper advice column for the genteel Southern lady, "Dear Miss Sweetie." When her column becomes wildly popular, she uses the power of the pen to address some of society's ills, but she's not prepared for the backlash that follows when her column challenges fixed ideas about race and gender. While her opponents clamor to uncover the secret identity of Miss Sweetie, a mysterious letter sets Jo off on a search for her own past and the parents who abandoned her as a baby. But when her efforts put her in the crosshairs of Atlanta's most notorious criminal, Jo must decide whether she, a girl used to living in the shadows, is ready to step into the light."

This book was my suggestion for the group, and I recommended it because I had liked Stacey Lee's book Under a Painted Sky last year. This was a great read (though I did it via audiobook, which isn't my preferred method of reading--so I think I may have liked it even more if I had read it normally). I loved the unique approach to historical fiction (1890s southern United States but a Chinese main character) and getting a glimpse into that world. Jo was a great character, and it was fun to follow her and her life and secrets. I really liked some of the side characters (Old Gin and Nathan) and also felt like the author did a great job making me super annoyed with some of the other characters (Caroline). I thought this was a fun read. I would definitely pick up another book by this author.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)