A fascinating historical novel about Hilde, an orphan who experiences Berlin on the cusp of World War II as she discovers her own voice and sexuality, ultimately finding a family when she gets a job at a gay cabaret, by award-winning author Kip Wilson.
On her eighteenth birthday, Hilde leaves her orphanage in 1930s Berlin, and heads out into the world to discover her place in it. But finding a job is hard, at least until she stumbles into Café Lila, a vibrant cabaret full of expressive customers. Rosa, one of the club's waitresses and performers, immediately takes Hilde under her wing. As the café denizens slowly embrace Hilde, and she embraces them in turn, she discovers her voice and her own blossoming feelings for Rosa.
But Berlin is in turmoil. Between the elections, protests in the streets, worsening antisemitism and anti-homosexual sentiment, and the beginning seeds of unrest in Café Lila itself, Hilde will have to decide what's best for her future . . . and what it means to love a place on the cusp of war.
In a city of dazzling lights and deepening shadows, Hilde must find the courage to claim her voice, her love, and her future.
- LGBTQ Historical Fiction: Step into the vibrant, secret world of Café Lila, a queer cabaret where artists and lovers find refuge as the world outside grows more dangerous.
- Sapphic Romance: A tender, slow-burn love story between Hilde, a shy orphan, and Rosa, the dazzling performer who takes her under her wing.
- Novel in Verse: Experience Hilde’s journey through breathtaking, accessible verse that captures the breathless energy and rising tension of 1930s Berlin.
- The End of an Era: A richly detailed portrayal of the final, fragile days of the Weimar Republic, exploring the rise of antisemitism and the threats to Berlin’s queer community.