The novel explores a less tolerant time in American history, the 1950s, as the social and political spheres were not completely accepting. The narrative takes place on the backdrop of the Red Scare with the practice of McCarthyism at its height. Akin to the citizens with communist inclinations, the queer community faced discrimination and persecution from the government and the general public. The teenage protagonist is at the center of all this chaos as these minority groups experience the burden of the red scare and the 1950s bar raids. As a child of Chinese immigrants, Lily also has to grapple with the clash between the cultural identities as a second-generation American. Thus, the story incorporates themes of identity, family conflicts, romantic bonds, and social acceptance to explore this tense period.
Set in San Francisco, the novel follows Lily coming of age in a society where she cannot fully live her authentic self in public. Stuck between sustaining the platonic friendship with Shirley and her romantic feelings for Kathleen, Lily constantly feels this burden. The Telegraph Club is a haven for queer women like Lily and Kathleen as they sneak there to embrace their sexuality. Through Tommy Andrews’ performance, the two lesbian friends find this mutuality that makes them aware of their attraction to each other. However, the rest of society is intolerant which puts pressure on them, as Lily has to also deal with the much more strict Chinese background. The club among other such social spaces is under threat of the raids that intend to harass the queer community.
The characters’ human experience provides this template that echoes the indignities of the time from the free expression of sexuality and political stance. Thereupon, living in Chinatown, Lily witnesses the effects of McCarthyism that knocks on their front door when her father is stripped of his citizenship. Kirkus Reviews wrote, “In this meticulously researched title, Lo skillfully layers rich details, such as how Lily has to deal with microaggressions from gay and straight women alike and how all of Chinatown has to be careful of the insidious threat of McCarthyism.”
