Super Short Summary

The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee follows the life of Lilliet Berne, an enigmatic opera singer in 19th century Paris. As Lilliet’s star rises, she is offered an opera based on her secret past, leading her to suspect betrayal by four individuals. The narrative unfolds her complex history through adventures in a circus, imprisonment, her tenure as a courtesan, and her navigation of love and deception, all set against the opera's dramatic backdrop and gothic elements.