The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee
/The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee
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My son recently participated in a fundraiser that took. All. Damn. Day.
Luckily, I found a shady tree and I had brought a copy of The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee. I found this book so fascinating and so well written that I was able to finish the book in just one sitting. Historical fiction isn’t usually my thing but Stacey Lee was able to drop me into 1890 Atlanta and introduced me to the smart and ambitious Jo Kuan and I loved every minute of it.
Secretly living in the basement of the town’s printing press, Jo Kuan and her Uncle Gin spend their days working for one of the wealthiest families in town. Jo spends her days being ridiculed and mocked by the cruel and unhappy Caroline while Uncle Gin takes care of the family’s horses. Working for the Payne’s is made even more difficult by it being the second time that Jo has been employed there. After being dismissed the first time, Jo works as a hatmaker and her styles become sought after by the local ladies. When she is suddenly dismissed from the hat shop, she has no where else to turn but back to the Payne household.
Listening to the comings and goings at the printing press have given Jo an unusual education in business and writing. When she overhears Nathan Bell bemoaning the shrinking subscription numbers and their need for an Agony Aunt columnist, Jo realizes she must help the newspaper or her basement home could be discovered by new owners. Posing as Miss Sweetie, Jo submits her writing to the newspaper and demands anonymity. Her column becomes wildly popular but it creates quite a stir the more Miss Sweetie challenges social norms and promotes feminine independence.
Writing the Miss Sweetie column isn’t Jo’s only concern. Uncle Gin is horribly beaten, their home is threatened, and a mysterious letter sends Jo on a journey to discover her long lost parents. Along the way, Jo will come face to face with the local mob boss and discover a secret so large, it could turn her whole world upside down.
The Downstairs Girl is a fast paced, well written story that tackles racism and sexism while providing an important insight into our nation’s history. Jo is smart and ambitious and doesn’t let anything stop her from reaching her goal. I loved how she never backed down and always did what she felt was right. Jo’s strength and determination was a great contrast to the sullen and snobbish Caroline. The two women threw some really great zingers at each other.
Recommended for lovers of YA, Historical Fiction, and strong female leads.
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