Radio City on Stage – The Spectacular by Fiona Davis

Fiona Davis's historical fiction, set in iconic New York City locations, is always entertaining reading and offers commentary about the significance of the settings she chooses. 

This book revolves around Marion Brooks, a young woman who becomes a Radio City Rockette in the mid-1950s. The narrative moves back and forth between that decade and 1992. Reading about the audition and practice processes is interesting in itself, and the description of the theatrical women's boarding house where Marion shares a room with another Rockette offers a wonderful feeling of nostalgia for a very different time, though in many ways, Marion is as contemporary as any young woman of our time. She yearns to follow her dream, make her own way, and be independent.

New York City in 1956 was under attack from a person the author renames the "Big Apple Bomber". There actually was a someone planting pipe bombs in busy locations in the city at that time, though his case has been long forgotten, supplanted by other dangerous individuals like the Son of Sam in the 1970s, and now the Gilgo Beach murderer.

Marion struggles with the expectations of her over-protective father, who has tried to shield her and her older sister Judy from danger, after the death of his wife, their mother, who was hit by a car when the girls were young. Her father views her desire to become a professional dancer as a foolish rebellion and prefers that she marry and have a conventional, safe suburban life. 

Before that, however, she becomes embroiled in the search to apprehend the bomber. When she breaks through and defies her father, a series of tragic events and disappointments changes her direction but ultimately takes her on a fulfilling professional life's journey, though the personal cost is high.

The book is a very fast read, and while it rings true as to locations, some of the plot developments seem a bit contrived. I also noticed, as I have in Davis's other books, the occasional use of an expression that seems out of place – more 2020s than 1950s. This is not enough to limit enjoyment of the book, and most likely younger readers than me may not notice, but I expect others of my age group, familiar with the 1950s might.

The other aspect of note is the author's insertion of Parkinson's Disease into the story, into the character of Marion's father as he aged, and Marion herself in 1992. Davis was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2020, and became active in the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. I applaud her for helping to shed light on this affliction and wish her all the best. I hope that she and many others will be the recipient of new treatments as they become available.