Historical

The Downstairs Girl

The Downstairs Girl

  • Downloads：3279
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-10-08 04:21:42
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Stacey Lee
  • ISBN：B07CWDN6JF
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary

From the founding member of We Need Diverse Books comes a powerful novel about identity， betrayal， and the meaning of family。

By day， seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady's maid for the cruel daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta。 But by night， Jo moonlights as the pseudonymous author of a newspaper advice column for the genteel Southern lady， "Dear Miss Sweetie。" When her column becomes wildly popular， she uses the power of the pen to address some of society's ills， but she's not prepared for the backlash that follows when her column challenges fixed ideas about race and gender。 While her opponents clamor to uncover the secret identity of Miss Sweetie， a mysterious letter sets Jo off on a search for her own past and the parents who abandoned her as a baby。 But when her efforts put her in the crosshairs of Atlanta's most notorious criminal， Jo must decide whether she， a girl used to living in the shadows， is ready to step into the light。 With prose that is witty， insightful， and at times heartbreaking， Stacey Lee masterfully crafts an extraordinary social drama set in the New South。

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Reviews

Leanne ，

Loved this book！ I wouldn't class it as YA， unless by YA you mean actual adults that are still young。 Very interesting to read about this time in history。 Loved this book！ I wouldn't class it as YA， unless by YA you mean actual adults that are still young。 Very interesting to read about this time in history。 。。。more

Aubree ，

Jo is a Chinese girl living in Atlanta around the turn of the century。 She lives with her adoptive father in a secret basement under a newspaper office。 She works as a maid but starts to write an anonymous advice column for the paper which stirs up a lot of controversy surrounding gender and race issues。 The story also deals with secrets from Jo’s past。 It was a really interesting premise and perspective on racial issues。 Great historical detail， good characters and a good plot！

Patti Webb ，

Good

Monika ，

The Downstairs Girl is the story of Jo Kuan， a seventeen-year-old girl who has far more opinions than a poor Chinese woman should at the end of the nineteenth century。 Set in Atlanta， Georgia， Jo's story unfolds during the destruction of Reconstruction and the introduction of Black codes that would shape Southern race relations for much of the next century。 Jo's life is full of secrets--her family history， her residence， her occupation--which makes the story interesting。 Lee's writing is gentle The Downstairs Girl is the story of Jo Kuan， a seventeen-year-old girl who has far more opinions than a poor Chinese woman should at the end of the nineteenth century。 Set in Atlanta， Georgia， Jo's story unfolds during the destruction of Reconstruction and the introduction of Black codes that would shape Southern race relations for much of the next century。 Jo's life is full of secrets--her family history， her residence， her occupation--which makes the story interesting。 Lee's writing is gentle and concise， which makes this an easy read。 But the pace of the novel makes this one more of a 3。5 than a 4 for me。 。。。more

Mary ，

I didn't expect to cry multiple times throughout this book。 This is such a heartfelt story about racism， women's rights， and family。 It's told with so much wit and also humor that I think balances the heavier topics。 I absolutely love this！ Highly recommend。 ❤ I didn't expect to cry multiple times throughout this book。 This is such a heartfelt story about racism， women's rights， and family。 It's told with so much wit and also humor that I think balances the heavier topics。 I absolutely love this！ Highly recommend。 ❤ 。。。more

Kim ，

This historical fiction novel brings to light not only the suffragettes' women's rights movement but also tells the story of segregation of the races。 Jo Kuan is female and of Chinese descent during this era。 This is her story。 This historical fiction novel brings to light not only the suffragettes' women's rights movement but also tells the story of segregation of the races。 Jo Kuan is female and of Chinese descent during this era。 This is her story。 。。。more

Sarika ，

Unique perspective to shed light on （Chinese immigrants in Reconstruction US）。 Exciting pace in the end and the Ms。 Sweetie voice was clever。 Perhaps a few too many characters to keep track of。 Some ways in which race was approached did not sit with me （conflating mixed experience with non-mixed experience， lauding the protagonists for not sitting in "colored section" of bus） Unique perspective to shed light on （Chinese immigrants in Reconstruction US）。 Exciting pace in the end and the Ms。 Sweetie voice was clever。 Perhaps a few too many characters to keep track of。 Some ways in which race was approached did not sit with me （conflating mixed experience with non-mixed experience， lauding the protagonists for not sitting in "colored section" of bus） 。。。more

Allison ，

Very very good audio book！ The story was well written as WELL！ I loved the character of Jo！

B Shelton ，

An insightful tale regarding the discriminatory practices toward the Chinese in the South during the turn of the century。Jo， a Chinese orphan， finds herself let go from the millinery shop where she has been creating hats that are much sought after by the city’s young socialites。 Returning to the home， an abolitionists tunnel under a print shop， where she is squatting with the man that has raised her， she assumes a new identity。 Working as a columnist at night and a lady’s maid during the day， we An insightful tale regarding the discriminatory practices toward the Chinese in the South during the turn of the century。Jo， a Chinese orphan， finds herself let go from the millinery shop where she has been creating hats that are much sought after by the city’s young socialites。 Returning to the home， an abolitionists tunnel under a print shop， where she is squatting with the man that has raised her， she assumes a new identity。 Working as a columnist at night and a lady’s maid during the day， we begin a story that leads her to confront the groups that hold her down as well as discover her true identity。 。。。more

Judy ，

The book was predictable but I really enjoyed reading it… I would give it 4。5 if I could。 Chinese were not accepted in Atlanta any more than blacks。

Mrs。 Schatz ，

Excellent book！！ What a story and what a ride！！ Highly recommend it！

Madeleine ，

in a word， delightful！ like a more adult version of one of those American Girl books， and I mean that in the absolute best way possible。 a joyful and hopeful exploration of a fascinating slice of history， but it doesn’t gloss over the less flattering edges either — e。g。 the racism of the white suffragist movement。 also， it’s peppered throughout with granules of extremely pretty prose！I did wonder about the unusually wide， possibly surgically altered double eyelids of the character on the cover （ in a word， delightful！ like a more adult version of one of those American Girl books， and I mean that in the absolute best way possible。 a joyful and hopeful exploration of a fascinating slice of history， but it doesn’t gloss over the less flattering edges either — e。g。 the racism of the white suffragist movement。 also， it’s peppered throughout with granules of extremely pretty prose！I did wonder about the unusually wide， possibly surgically altered double eyelids of the character on the cover （pet peeve of mine: plastic surgery being normalized/hidden to create a toxic culture — especially for younger readers）， but without spoiling， that’s ultimately addressed in the book too。 。。。more

SingingK ，

I really liked this book！ Jo has a unique perspective on Gilded-Age Atlanta that kept my attention。 While I don't know any 17-year-olds who could express themselves quite so well on relevant issues， Jo's feelings and actions were otherwise consistent enough to keep me believing。 I really liked this book！ Jo has a unique perspective on Gilded-Age Atlanta that kept my attention。 While I don't know any 17-year-olds who could express themselves quite so well on relevant issues， Jo's feelings and actions were otherwise consistent enough to keep me believing。 。。。more

Meghan ，

Loved it。 I wish the author had chosen fewer plots and dove into them more deeply - but overall， I loved it。 I know very little about the Asian American experience in the late 1800s， so this was a great start to learning more。

Jenben8426 ，

Jo Kuan is a Chinese girl living in Antebellum Georgia。 She must follow strict social rules that puts her somewhere in between black and white。 When she has the opportunity to write an anonymous advice column in a local newspaper she finds that she finally has a voice to address unfair societal issues。 But as the community begins talking Jo discovers that it isn't as simple as writing what she feels。I read this on a recommendation from one of my favorite people， but I just couldn't get into it a Jo Kuan is a Chinese girl living in Antebellum Georgia。 She must follow strict social rules that puts her somewhere in between black and white。 When she has the opportunity to write an anonymous advice column in a local newspaper she finds that she finally has a voice to address unfair societal issues。 But as the community begins talking Jo discovers that it isn't as simple as writing what she feels。I read this on a recommendation from one of my favorite people， but I just couldn't get into it as much as she apparently did。 I found it to be quite slow paced which made it hard to want to pick up and finish。 It was interesting to read a little about what it may have been like to be a Chinese immigrant during such a hard time in the history of the United States， but overall I found myself disinterested。 。。。more

Nicole Stanton ，

It wasn’t a page turner but It had some surprises that I didn’t see coming， and it had a happy ending which made it even more charming。 It also reminded me of The Help by Kathryn Stockett。

Donna Craig ，

I have to admit， I almost dnf’d this book at the beginning。 Then， as it went along， I thought it was ok。 However， when it finally caught， I really loved this story。 It was so different， triumphant， and easy to read。 The story is of a Chinese girl trying to survive in Atlanta in the late 1800’s。 While we are aware of the situation between white and black people of that era， there really isn’t a lot of exposure to the plight of Asians in the US。 Jo Kuan deals with issues of parentage， miscegenatio I have to admit， I almost dnf’d this book at the beginning。 Then， as it went along， I thought it was ok。 However， when it finally caught， I really loved this story。 It was so different， triumphant， and easy to read。 The story is of a Chinese girl trying to survive in Atlanta in the late 1800’s。 While we are aware of the situation between white and black people of that era， there really isn’t a lot of exposure to the plight of Asians in the US。 Jo Kuan deals with issues of parentage， miscegenation， lack of housing， medical care， and food， and oppression。 Secrets， and the toll from juggling them， are at the heart of this story。 Defeat， fear， hope， and triumph are borne on the shoulders of a seventeen-year-old girl。 I ended the book with tears。 Lovely。 。。。more

Rebecca Dartnall ，

Evergreen Book Award nominee 2021-22;

Sharon ，

Jo Kuan lives underneath the Bell house and lives with Old Gin。 Jo doesn't know what happened to her parents。 Old Gin won't tell her anything about her parents。 The closest thing to family Jo has is Old Gin who has taught her how to read and taught her many new things。 Jo Kuan is Asian and living in Georgia in the 1890s， she worked most of her life。 At the beginning of the story she is working in a hat shop where she is eventually fired from。 She is fired because she is Asian and it has nothing Jo Kuan lives underneath the Bell house and lives with Old Gin。 Jo doesn't know what happened to her parents。 Old Gin won't tell her anything about her parents。 The closest thing to family Jo has is Old Gin who has taught her how to read and taught her many new things。 Jo Kuan is Asian and living in Georgia in the 1890s， she worked most of her life。 At the beginning of the story she is working in a hat shop where she is eventually fired from。 She is fired because she is Asian and it has nothing to do with her skills or work ethic。This is a YA book， that is very pretty heavy and involves racism， oppression and sexism。 I found the story interesting and learnt more about the discrimation that has existed in the US。 I hadn't really though about what it would have been like to be Asian in North America in the 19th century where black were enslaved and women weren't allowed to vote。 I enjoyed having these issues brought to my mind。 。。。more

CHS Black Knights Read ，

Outstanding！ An excellent view of Reconstruction era Atlanta through the eyes of Jo， a Chinese teen。 Not only does Lee show us a unique perspective on history， she weaves a fascinating tale full of unexpected twists。 Recommend for fans of historical fiction and readers who enjoy strong female characters。

Brooke ，

2。5 starsA good story， but I felt that it took much too long to get to a resolution。

Yasaman Mostafaie ，

An enjoyable read， even if it was at some points predictable。

kathy l-j ，

great book！ easy read and flowed really well。 it gives a glimpse of asian history in america， racism， and overall social injustice。 definitely fit for YA and i hope it gives the younger generation a better understanding of racism， etc。

Carol ，

"The Downstairs Girl" is offered as a YA book， but it was very readable as adult historical fiction。 It has some mature themes， and it isn't fluffy。 It deals with some very important issues of race， gender equity， and women's suffrage。 I am partial to historical fiction that teaches me something， and this book delivered。 The book provides a lens to view the immigration of Chinese workers， welcomed to the south to take on the roles of newly emancipated African Americans。 It takes place in post Ci "The Downstairs Girl" is offered as a YA book， but it was very readable as adult historical fiction。 It has some mature themes， and it isn't fluffy。 It deals with some very important issues of race， gender equity， and women's suffrage。 I am partial to historical fiction that teaches me something， and this book delivered。 The book provides a lens to view the immigration of Chinese workers， welcomed to the south to take on the roles of newly emancipated African Americans。 It takes place in post Civil War Atlanta， telling the story of Jo， a 16 year old Chinese girl who squats with the man who has raised her， Old Gin， in a cellar previously used in the Underground Railroad， under the home of one of the local newspaper publishers。 Jo is a talented millner， crafting hats for Atlanta society women， but gets fired （just because） and returns to working as a ladies maid in the Payne household where she previously worked。 Jo has a hard time holding her thoughts on the issues of the day， and has a fondness for the young publisher， Nathan， who lives in the house under which she lives。 She hears of the paper's troubles through her "hearing hole" and begins anonymously writing an advice column for the paper， sharing her opinions on issues of women's suffrage and emerging Jim Crow laws。 Jo faces many challenges -- the author really puts a lot on her 16 year old shoulders！ She saves the day in so many ways - her anonymous newspaper column gets the people of Atlanta to resubscribe to the failing paper; she rides Old Gin's horse， Sweet Potato， to victory in the Payne's charity horserace after Old Gin gets beat up by the town moneylender; she solves the mystery of her parentage; she blackmails Mrs。 Payne to ride in the race and blackmails her daughter with knowledge of an illicit affair; she confronts the moneylender and gets a precious item back from him for Old Gin; she begins to turn the town toward the plight of women through her wit， and she sews hat adornments to raise money to live in。 All this while "knowing her place" in a society that devalues who she is and what she thinks。 She is a tough cookie alright。 This one has pluck。I like that this book creates a good role model for YA girls。 I can't really imagine a boy enjoying this book， but it could be used in a classroom setting。 It would be a joy to introduce the character to the young women of today。 。。。more

Laura ，

I loved this book， it kept me entranced the whole time。 I listened to the audiobook which was well done and the ending brought me to tears。 Splendid！

Mel ，

I had been hearing a lot about this book and decided I needed to know what all the fuss was about-I'm so glad I picked it up！ The characters， especially Jo， are smart and fierce and wonderful， there are plenty of twists and turns I didn't see coming， and the language is beautiful。 A thoroughly enjoyable book， and I can't wait to read more by Stacey Lee。 Absolutely recommend！ I had been hearing a lot about this book and decided I needed to know what all the fuss was about-I'm so glad I picked it up！ The characters， especially Jo， are smart and fierce and wonderful， there are plenty of twists and turns I didn't see coming， and the language is beautiful。 A thoroughly enjoyable book， and I can't wait to read more by Stacey Lee。 Absolutely recommend！ 。。。more

Aisyah ，

I hate to finish a book that is THIS GOOD！ I finished this in October 1st but deal with it， I'm squeezing this into my September's Wrap Up 👻 I legit no nothing about this book except it is an historical ficton and features a Chinese girl living in America。 Bought it on a weak whimp， aND TURNS OUT TO BE A FAV ❤ what a destiny 🙊•This book sets in Atlanta in 1890s， where Jo Kuan is an orphan Chinese girl living with a Chinese elder named Old Gin in the basement of a press building secretly。 Yup， no I hate to finish a book that is THIS GOOD！ I finished this in October 1st but deal with it， I'm squeezing this into my September's Wrap Up 👻 I legit no nothing about this book except it is an historical ficton and features a Chinese girl living in America。 Bought it on a weak whimp， aND TURNS OUT TO BE A FAV ❤ what a destiny 🙊•This book sets in Atlanta in 1890s， where Jo Kuan is an orphan Chinese girl living with a Chinese elder named Old Gin in the basement of a press building secretly。 Yup， nobody knows that they were there。 Jo was a hatter， but she got fired and had to go back to her old job， a lady maid。 But then the press were crumbling down and that's is when Jo decided to volunteer to write an advice column in the press as Miss Sweetie in order to keep the press going， and she and Old Gin don't have to move。 So basically， Jo is living a double life; as a lowly servant， and as Miss Sweetie thats is idolized by women 🌼 and it's a character-driven kind of story， before I forgot to mention so do keep your expectation low 😚•First thing that I like about this book is the writing！ It made me feel good reading it 😚💕 Stacey Lee wrote the story with a pinch of homour and a bucket of poetic words and writing 。 I think that's why I am willing to read slowly， it was really satisfying and you keep wanna expect more ！ As for the message， the most obvious ones are RACISM and FEMINISM。 Living a daily life in Atlanta as an Asian was definitely a challenge for her。 She is considered as coloured people even though she is not white or black either。 I'm not sure if this can be considered as asian hate？ Please correct me if I'm wrong， but yes the challenge is a front seat of the plot。 As for the Miss Sweetie parts of the story， also known as my favourite part skdkdkksksjdk is leaning more to the feminist side of the story。 She advised women to ride a bicycle and be the first to ask men to horse races。 So literally her advice are JUST EFF THE SOCIETY AND GO FOR IT GURLL 🔥❤ yet again， the writng for this scenes is just 💯💯•Little bit sad because the romance wasn't a big thing in the plot。 It doesn't really much contribute to the story development， but I enjoyed every single details in the romance。 Much more appreciation to Nathan to be the best guy in the story 😭💜 Their subtle romance is freaking adorable ！！ And Jo's relationship with Old Gin， the elder who raised her is just， simply touching 💖 The bond of theirs moved me to a different level 💧👄💧• Towards the closure， for me it was a straightforward ending。 It does look like the author rushed， but somehow it is the best ending possible ✨🌼 Imagine reading this book with a tea or coffee with an evening rain， SUCH A MOOD ！！ 🌧☕#thedownstairsgirl #staceylee 。。。more

Connie Little ，

The audiobook version of this book was extremely well done。

Hannah ，

I absolutely love this book and everyone needs to read it！ This book is about a Chinese girl named Jo， and she lives in a secret basement under a print shop in Atlanta， Georgia in the 1890s。 So you can imagine what her life is like。 After hearing that the print shop's newspaper isn't doing so good she decides to start writing a column giving advice to women， under the pseudonym of Miss Sweetie。 But it soon turns into a commentary on society as a whole。 I absolutely love this book and everyone needs to read it！ This book is about a Chinese girl named Jo， and she lives in a secret basement under a print shop in Atlanta， Georgia in the 1890s。 So you can imagine what her life is like。 After hearing that the print shop's newspaper isn't doing so good she decides to start writing a column giving advice to women， under the pseudonym of Miss Sweetie。 But it soon turns into a commentary on society as a whole。 。。。more

Thundermusic ，

Not as good as reported。 One must suspend ALL reality。 2021 sensibilities in a Victorian Chinese girl - not authentic at all

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The Downstairs Girl

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=The Downstairs Girl&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,The Downstairs Girl&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0