Lady Be Good: A Novel

Lady Be Good is a bubbly piece of historical fiction set in New York, Miami, and Cuba in the 1950s. Kitty Tressler, a socialite whose father owns several hotels, has nary a care in the world until her father gives her an ultimatum. She can either settle down and get married, or she can scrub toilets and work her way up the hotel pecking order. He suggests she marry his right-hand man, Andre, but Kitty isn’t interested.

Kitty sees her way out when Andre needs to go to Kitty’s father’s Miami hotel. Andre, Kitty, her friend Hen, and a few members of a band travel to Miami. There, Kitty receives a rude awakening. Max, one of the band members, gives Kitty a tour of the real Miami, and Kitty becomes aware of all the suffering, racism, and bigotry that exist. Can Kitty make a difference from where she is in life, or is it too late for her?

I thoroughly enjoyed Lady Be Good. The author paints a vivid picture of life in New York and Miami, from the upper echelons of society to the greasy dives and seedy alleys. Top that off with a compelling heroine, and you have the makings of something good. The feminist in me did not appreciate that Kitty’s self-discovery came at the urging of men, but it could have easily been written off as the time period in which it was set. Strong hints of Jane Austen’s Emma are prevalent in this book, and if you like books with romantic meddling, societal intrigue, and glamorous parties, this book is the one for you.