COMMENTS

16 responses to “Senior Planet Book Club: The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee”

1. Accessing the book club information is so cumbersome. There must be a better method.
   What is the book selected for September? Why can’t I readily find that info anywhere?

   Reply to Susan M

2. Finished the book yesterday. Enjoyed it very much considering it is a youth oriented read. I appreciated the research on the historical aspects for the time period.

   Reply to Sylvia

3. I’m curious this is catalogued as a Young Adult book, why is it a selection for Senior Planet members?

   Reply to Victoria Liska

   1. Hi Victoria! The Downstairs Girl was suggested by a fellow book club member and received the highest number of votes in our most recent poll!

      Reply to Nicole Alcime

      1. I just started book on Monday so I also have some catching up to do! However, I find it an excellent read and intriguing so far. Looking forward to see what happens with Mrs. Bell, Mr. Gin and Jo regarding their “secret”!

4. Just received book yesterday so have some catching up to do. Although for ‘young adults’, this young at heart senior is enjoying it. Looking forward to discussion on the 31st.

   Reply to Kathy

5. Hi everyone! Had my surgery on 8/15 and home reading the Downstairs Girl. Yes, it is a young adult book however it held my interest to the very end. So many different personalities. It reminded me of the have and the have nots. Sometimes it’s just good to be a decent human begin. Sometimes when you feel those who are below you–are the very ones who can help you when you get to know them. Can’t wait to see you guys on the 31st.

   Reply to saundra woods

   1. Hi Saundra! Glad to hear your surgery went well. We appreciate you sharing your thoughts! Looking forward to the Zoom discussion next week!

      Reply to Nicole Alcime

6. I read through chapter 15 and I’m really enjoying the book. My heart goes out to the young heroine of the book as she fights to protect old gin as he gets old and sick. The fact that they live in the basement of the Bell House is very interesting and so is all the conversations she hears through the transom. Her idea of writing a column is ingenious and I am looking forward to hearing more about it.

   Reply to Jane McGarity

   1. Great to hear you’re enjoying the book, Jane!

      Reply to Nicole Alcime

7. I finished The Downstairs Girl and cannot recommend it. I listened to the Audible version. The prose is florid. The narrator is overwrought. The plot is simplistic and predictable. The history is inaccurate. This should perhaps be offered as a young adult appropriate (the Girl is seventeen), but even that would be patronizing.

   I look forward to starting Red Thread of Fate now.

   Reply to Lolly

   1. Hi, I would be very interested to know about the historical inaccuracies. I find sometimes that young writers in particular can compress events or muddle it up, even (or especially) when writing about the 60s and 70s. I did look up Atlanta streetcars and saw some old photos. Poor narration can completely ruin a book. I listen to a lot of Audible books. I’m glad that I bought the hard copy because the writing seems to flow quite well – read in my calmer ‘internal’ voice!

      Reply to Christine McLafferty

8. I just finished The Downstairs Girl and enjoyed it very much. I read the e-book version and highlighted many of the colorful expressions the author used. I appreciate the research she did regarding Southern history, norms and events during this period of American history.

   Reply to Crystal

   1. Hi Crystal! We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the book and thank you for sharing your thoughts. Hope to see you at the Zoom discussion on Thursday, August 31st at 4:30pm EDT.

      Reply to Nicole Alcime

9. Hello, are the comments & discussion for .. last selection.. “remains of the day” available?
   Thanks.

   Reply to Eileen

   1. Hi Eileen! You can view the Book Club Archives page to see the articles about books we’ve read. Scroll down to the comments section to read what fellow readers have shared.

      Reply to Nicole Alcime