Call number
FIC STR
Collection
Genres
Publication
Berkley (2020), 397 pages
Description
"A striking novel from the acclaimed author of Radio Girls about two daring women who escape McCarthy-era Hollywood for London, where they find creative freedom and fight the injustices of the Red Scare. Nineteen-fifties America is bright and full of promise, and Phoebe Adler, a New Yorker brimming with talent and ambition, is forging her way as the rarest of things: a female television writer in Hollywood. But fears of a growing Red Menace cloud the optimism, egged on by the hate-mongering of Senator McCarthy. A blacklist is created to cast out communist sympathizers, smashing careers and ruining lives. When Phoebe finds herself caught in the hysteria's web, she flees to London. Though postwar London is struggling and work is precarious, Phoebe finds camaraderie with other Americans living in exile, including the restless and ambitious Hannah Wolfson. Determined to fight the injustices of the Red Scare, Hannah is a successful producer who hires blacklisted writers at great risk to her career and company. Together Phoebe and Hannah successfully fight unfair bias and sexism, but danger still looms in this supposed sanctuary. And when their families and friends--their very lives--are threatened, they will have to make impossible choices"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member sleahey
This is a historical novel that makes an indelible impression. Set in the 1950's, during the Red Scare in the United States, screen writer Phoebe receives a subpoena to appear before HUAC while living happily in Brooklyn. Knowing the seriousness of possible outcomes, she decides to flee to London,
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even though she cannot understand what she may have been accused of. In England she makes her way as a writer for television, namely a Robin Hood series, thanks to the generosity of Hannah Wolfson, who has anonymously hired many exiled blacklisted writers, actors, and directors. Phoebe finds that she loves her life and relationships in London, but that is all jeopardized when an obsessive detective tracks her down and arrests her to return to Washington. The fear mongering, betrayals, and ruined lives brought about by the McCarthy era are made all too real in this novel, much of which was based on real people. Readers will have to wonder how such a national atmosphere of prejudice and menace could have ever happened, but then of course we have only to read the news of today to catch a glimpse. Show Less
LibraryThing member SilversReviews
Phoebe was finally making some money for her scripts and getting well known, but then for some reason she was tagged as being a communist by the government and blacklisted by the playwrights.
Phoebe had no idea what she did to be tagged, but she decided to leave the country and head to London where
We follow Phoebe on her trip across the ocean and when she arrives in London determined to make a name for herself in the seven weeks she was granted to be in the country.
I enjoyed the characters in RED LETTER DAYS. LOVE the cover.
Phoebe was funny and lovable and eager to take chances. Hannah was talented but flighty. Phoebe’s sister, Mona, was upbeat even though her life wasn’t.
We see the historical struggles and worries that play writes had at this time and how the blacklisted writers could get into deep trouble.
Historical fiction fans, fans of the theater and television productions, and fans of Robin Hood will enjoy RED LETTER DAYS.
Ms. Stratford did marvelous, in-depth research, but The Robin Hood pages that took up a great deal of the book actually were of no interest, and that did make the story drag for me. 3/5
This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Phoebe had no idea what she did to be tagged, but she decided to leave the country and head to London where
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there was someone who would take her scripts no matter who or what she was.We follow Phoebe on her trip across the ocean and when she arrives in London determined to make a name for herself in the seven weeks she was granted to be in the country.
I enjoyed the characters in RED LETTER DAYS. LOVE the cover.
Phoebe was funny and lovable and eager to take chances. Hannah was talented but flighty. Phoebe’s sister, Mona, was upbeat even though her life wasn’t.
We see the historical struggles and worries that play writes had at this time and how the blacklisted writers could get into deep trouble.
Historical fiction fans, fans of the theater and television productions, and fans of Robin Hood will enjoy RED LETTER DAYS.
Ms. Stratford did marvelous, in-depth research, but The Robin Hood pages that took up a great deal of the book actually were of no interest, and that did make the story drag for me. 3/5
This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member fastforward
Even though I read historical fiction novels quite often, surprisingly the Red Scare of the 1940s and 1950s is not a subject I have seen explored all that much. So I was glad to see this author not only tackle the topic but do a pretty good job as well.
It's the 1950s and Phoebe Adler is a
I read the The Chelsea Girls a month ago and because it's still fresh in my mind it's hard not to compare it with this book. The Hollywood blacklist is something that plays a role in both stories however Red Letter Days in my opinion explores the topic with a little more depth. And after reading the Author's Note, this one is more heavy on the historical side in terms of some of the characters being based on real life people.
Both Phoebe and Hannah were solid, strong female characters. Phoebe has had a rough life so you can't help but want to root for the underdog. And given Hannah was risking so much in order to help others, she was an intriguing character as well. In terms of their storylines, the only thing that fell a bit flat and didn't interest me as much was their love lives. Hannah's relationship with her husband didn't seem to enhance the story in my opinion.
The main criticism I have with this book is it was not a story I felt fully engrossed in. That doesn't mean I didn't like it, more it just wasn't a page turner or the type of book I would sit around reading for hours at a time. This book might not have hit amazing level for me but it still was a worthwhile read. I did love the combination of history and fiction and felt I walked away having learned a bit more about this time period. And that's always a good thing to be able to say after reading a historical fiction book. Would definitely recommend checking this one out if the whole Hollywood blacklist is a topic that interests you.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
It's the 1950s and Phoebe Adler is a
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television writer, no small feat considering it's a male dominated industry. But unfortunately for Phoebe, the fear of Communism is still sweeping the nation and has hit Hollywood particularly hard. People are willing to name names whether there is truth to it or not and Phoebe finds herself on the infamous blacklist and decides her best option is to flee to London. Hannah Wolfson has found some success as a producer in England and even though she could be risking it all if the wrong people found out, she hires blacklisted writers to come work for her. Hannah, Phoebe, and other exiled Americans living in London are safe from what's going on over in America, right?I read the The Chelsea Girls a month ago and because it's still fresh in my mind it's hard not to compare it with this book. The Hollywood blacklist is something that plays a role in both stories however Red Letter Days in my opinion explores the topic with a little more depth. And after reading the Author's Note, this one is more heavy on the historical side in terms of some of the characters being based on real life people.
Both Phoebe and Hannah were solid, strong female characters. Phoebe has had a rough life so you can't help but want to root for the underdog. And given Hannah was risking so much in order to help others, she was an intriguing character as well. In terms of their storylines, the only thing that fell a bit flat and didn't interest me as much was their love lives. Hannah's relationship with her husband didn't seem to enhance the story in my opinion.
The main criticism I have with this book is it was not a story I felt fully engrossed in. That doesn't mean I didn't like it, more it just wasn't a page turner or the type of book I would sit around reading for hours at a time. This book might not have hit amazing level for me but it still was a worthwhile read. I did love the combination of history and fiction and felt I walked away having learned a bit more about this time period. And that's always a good thing to be able to say after reading a historical fiction book. Would definitely recommend checking this one out if the whole Hollywood blacklist is a topic that interests you.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
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LibraryThing member cjordan916
radio girls was much better
two daring women who escape McCarthy-era Hollywood for London, where they find creative freedom and fight the injustices of the Red Scare.
two daring women who escape McCarthy-era Hollywood for London, where they find creative freedom and fight the injustices of the Red Scare.
LibraryThing member Jynell
What happens when you are blacklisted from Hollywood?
This story piqued my interest in this part of history, one I was previously unfamiliar with. It is unlike the typical WWII historical fiction usually written about!
Phoebe heads to London to escape the problems she's found in NY, despite no truth
If you're interested in historical fiction and the red scare, this is worth your time!
Thank you Edelweiss for allowing me to read and review this!
This story piqued my interest in this part of history, one I was previously unfamiliar with. It is unlike the typical WWII historical fiction usually written about!
Phoebe heads to London to escape the problems she's found in NY, despite no truth
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to the accusations, and befriends Hannah. Their friendship and support of each other provide deep characters and an enjoyable read.If you're interested in historical fiction and the red scare, this is worth your time!
Thank you Edelweiss for allowing me to read and review this!
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LibraryThing member elimatta
Great background story, well worth telling. Not such great writing though.