Publication June 13, 2023-Penguin Group-Historical Fiction-368p
A LibraryReads Hall of Fame June pick
A Book of the Month Add-On
Recommended by Goodreads • New York Post • POPSUGAR • Reader’s Digest • AARP • SheReads
The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab
Fiona Davis mesmerizes her fans with another novel set in an iconic building in New York City. In The Spectacular, Radio City Music Hall and the Rockettes take center stage. The opening act stars fifty-five-year-old Marion Brooks on moving day as she’s packing to leave her childhood home. That same evening in 1992, Marion is an honored guest at the 60th Anniversary of the Rockettes Celebration. Through a flashback of memories Marion shares the story and impact of her exhilarating time as a Rockette.
The Spectacular immerses readers in the1950’s frenzy and euphoria of the famous sisterhood known as the Rockettes. Packed with research and history, she illuminates the try-outs, grand tours, and dance moves with optical illusions. From Radio City to the Rehearsal Club, a boardinghouse for girls in the performing arts to the family home in Bronxville, Davis choreographs a romance, a coming-of-age story, and the sixteen-year mystery of the famous “Big Apple Bomber.” The social and political handling of the manhunt and lack of success highlights the introverted Dr. Peter Griggs’ struggle to convince the police to use early psychological profiling. The male perspectives of Marion’s father and Nathaniel, her boyfriend create an emotional bridge connecting readers to the limited choices and infuriating parameters of young women in the 1950’s.
This novel is about suffocating family dynamics, suppressing individuality while sacrificing dreams and the consequences, decisions that protect those we love, and taking a leap late in life. At the last curtain, The Spectacular earns Five dazzling stars!
F I O N A D A V I S is the New York Times bestselling author of seven historical fiction novels set in iconic New York City buildings, including The Spectacular, The Magnolia Palace, The Address, and The Lions of Fifth Avenue, which was a Good Morning America book club pick. Her novels have been chosen as “One Book, One Community” reads and her articles have appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal and O the Oprah magazine.
She first came to New York as an actress, but fell in love with writing after getting a master’s degree at Columbia Journalism School. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages and she’s based in New York City. Photo Credit Deborah Feingold
The Grateful Reader 
I also enjoyed it. My review goes up on Friday.
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