I just finished The Briar Club by Kate Quinn, and like her earlier novel The Rose Code, I was completely engrossed from beginning to end. Historical fiction is always my favorite genre, but what made this one especially fascinating is that it’s set in the 1950s…. a time period I haven’t read much about. My parents were alive then, and in the grand scheme of things it wasn’t all that long ago, which made it feel especially relatable.
The Briar Club centers on a Washington, D.C. boardinghouse in the 1950s, where a diverse group of women live together, each carrying some sort of secret. From a war widow to an aspiring actress to a young mother escaping her past, the women form unexpected friendships while navigating the pressures of McCarthy-era America. When danger closes in, they must decide how far they’re willing to go to protect themselves – and each other. The house itself becomes a witness to it all, holding the triumphs and heartbreaks of the women who call it home.
Kate Quinn has such a gift for bringing history to life. Her characters are as real and engaging here as they were in The Rose Code. I found myself soaking up every detail about life in the 50s, from the fashion to the social expectations to the quiet rebellions that happened behind closed doors. I also loved the way she portrayed the strong bonds of female friendship…. something timeless and universal and near to my own heart.
As much as I love to entertain, I have to admit this line made me laugh out loud:
“A successful dinner party needs just one person all the others loathe, Pete – it gives everyone something to unite against.”
Not a rule I live by (thank goodness!), but I thought it was hilariously sharp.
That struck close to home — literally. I live in a house built in 1964, where my boys are the 9th and 10th to be raised here. I often wonder about the stories these walls could tell. Surely they’ve seen it all! In many ways, my house has been a character in my own life. Lately though, it feels less like a loving grandmother and more like a grumpy old man thanks to electrical issues… and now bats in the attic. Here’s hoping it goes back to being the cozy, easy character in my story stat.
All in all, The Briar Club is beautifully written, layered, and full of heart. If you love historical fiction, especially stories of women supporting women, this is one not to miss.
And speaking of bookish things, I’m headed to book club tonight where we’ll be chatting about Lessons in Chemistry. I read it ages ago and adored it, and this time I revisited it on audio. I loved it just as much the second go-round. Proof that some books are even better when you can experience them in multiple formats.
Let me know what’s on your bedside!
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