Plot Summary

Whistling in the Dark

Tamara Allen
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Whistling in the Dark

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009

Book Brief

Tamara Allen

Whistling in the Dark

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009
Book Details
Pages

340

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 1920s

Theme
Publication Year

2009

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Whistling in the Dark by Tamara Allen is a historical fiction with an LGBTQ spin, set in 1919 Manhattan, following the budding romance between Sutton Albright, a former concert pianist scarred by war and a scandalous affair, and Jack Bailey, who grapples with guilt and loneliness after his parents' death, as they navigate their own demons, societal discrimination, and the vibrant yet perilous gay underground of the early jazz age. The book features themes of PTSD and familial rejection.

Nostalgic

Bittersweet

Romantic

Melancholic

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

4.2

1,322 ratings

79%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Whistling in the Dark by Tamara Allen has garnered praise for its evocative setting in post-WWI New York City and well-developed characters. The heartfelt romance intertwines with themes of healing and personal growth. However, some readers found the pacing slow at times. Overall, it’s a compelling and emotional read with strong historical detail.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Whistling in the Dark?

Readers who enjoy nuanced historical fiction with rich character development, atmospheric settings, and LGBTQ+ themes will appreciate Whistling in the Dark by Tamara Allen. Fans of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz will find it particularly compelling.

4.2

1,322 ratings

79%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

340

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 1920s

Theme
Publication Year

2009

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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