Step into the world of Radio City’s Rockettes with author, Fiona Davis. Read excerpts from her interview on The Spectacular and discover the Fiona Davis books.
Join us as Fiona Davis, the acclaimed author of seven historical fiction novels, delves into her latest historical fiction book, “The Spectacular,” which immerses readers into the world of the legendary Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall in the 1950s.
From surprising dance routines to the hidden life of the Rockettes, discover the secrets of this iconic dance troupe and how Fiona masterfully captures the essence of movement and history on the page.
Plus, learn the inside scoop on Fiona’s new book she is writing and what iconic New York City landmark she has selected for her next book destination.
The Fiona Davis Interview You Need to Hear
Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:
Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform! For today’s show, we have also transcribed excerpts from today’s interview for readers.
Patreon Fiona Davis Bonus Episode:
Patreon Pals can access our bonus SPOILER episode that will delve deep into The Spectacular ending.
Fiona masterfully crafted an emotional punch that caught me off guard.
In this bonus episode, I had the privilege of asking Fiona why she chose this ending.
We also discuss why creatives must process things on paper and what she wants readers to learn from this protagonist’s journey.
Excerpts From Today’s Interview and Show Notes:
What did you uncover about the Rockettes when researching them, and was there anything surprising about the routines?
What was different about Radio City in the fifties versus now is that now it’s a concert hall showcasing comedians, award shows, and bands, but it was a movie palace back then.
They showed four movies a day, and if you bought a ticket to a movie, you also got to see the stage show.
And that included the Ballet Corps, a choral ensemble, and, of course, the Rockettes. And sometimes, they throw in a juggler!
The show was based on the theme of whatever movie it was.
So if it was a John Wayne movie, they’d wear cowboy outfits and have holsters, guns, and hats. Those days the Rockettes worked year-round.
Now it’s seasonal if you’re a Rockette, but back then, you worked year-round, did four shows a day, and would do that for three or four weeks straight, and then you’d get a week off.
BROWSE PHOTOS OF THE ROCKETTES THROUGH THE YEARS
There were 46 girls total and 36 working at any one time.
They did 600 kicks per day because every number had a kick line.
It was really incredible. And because of that, I was surprised to learn that Radio City was a city for them because they were there so much.
There was a dormitory with a nurse on staff; they’d go up on the roof and play wiffle or shuffle balls. They delighted the workers in the buildings and the skyscrapers around them.
They could watch the premieres in a cafeteria and a little movie room. And so they lived there in many ways.
The other thing that surprised me about it was just the sisterhood of the Rockettes.
I asked if there was any back-fighting or anything like that, and they said no.
They were all just so pleased to be there, especially in the fifties when a woman was either a secretary or a nurse.
They were so happy to be independent and do what they loved on this iconic stage.
Marion doesn’t blend in. Did you hear from any of the other dancers struggled with this?
The character of Marion is based on a real-life film star named Vera-Ellen.
She was one of the youngest Rockettes ever, and she was just bigger than everyone else.
Russell Marker founded the Rockettes and was the director and choreographer until 1971; if he said he wanted it a kick shoulder high, hers would be eye height, or her arms would be more extended than anyone else’s.
He gave her a couple of weeks to get it right, and she finally quit before she was fired. And then she went on to this really successful film, film career. She was in White Christmas.
That was very interesting because here, you have this precision dance troupe, and the whole thing is to blend.
And it made me start thinking, what is the cost of suppressing your creativity or individuality for the good of the greater whole?
And that’s whether it’s a dance troupe, in a corporation, or a community. When do you need to speak up and stand out, and when do you need to work and cooperate?
When it comes to dance and movement, how do you capture that on the page?
It was watching them in action, and then, at one point, I watched a class where a woman named Rhonda Malkin, who was a Rockette, now teaches this class where you go if you want to try to audition.
Fifty-nine of her students have gone on to become Rockettes, so she’s doing something right!
And so I watched her class then transcribed the steps to make it as real as possible, using her notes to the dancers. And that helped to get it right.
It’s really about doing the research as well as you can and becoming an instant expert in whatever that thing is, which I often had to do as a journalist.
And so that helped to transfer over.
Is it hard to refine your research for a reader? How do you not overwhelm the reader?
It’s so tempting!
For example, you can sit and describe a room in Radio City like the Roxy Apartment, which is this cool art deco space, and write about that space for five pages.
But for me, the plot and the character come first.
And so because of that, I know and, having written many books by now, I know to look for the gem, for that one thing.
For example, the fact that the Roxy apartment has a 20-foot high gold-plated ceiling is enough to set the reader in that space in many ways.
It’s tough because there’s so much to share and fascinating information, and I just have to go with whatever surprises me because I know that’ll surprise the reader.
And by including that, it’s enough to anchor the reader in the period without overwhelming them with describing furniture.
Have you selected your new book’s next New York City landmark?
Since January, I’ve been researching and writing a book set at the Met Museum.
In fact, we even took a trip to Egypt to do some research.
It’s set at the Egyptian wing of the Met Museum from the point of view of an associate curator.
It’s also from the point of view of an assistant at the Met Gala, at the party of the year even in the seventies!
And so these two very different people have to team up to figure out who stole an artifact.
It’s a mix of glamor and mummies, so we’ll see how it goes.
New to Fiona Davis? Here are some answers to your most frequently asked questions!
What are the best Fiona Davis books?
My favorite book by Fiona Davis is The Spectacular. I also highly recommend The Lions of Fifth Avenue and The Masterpiece as beautiful escapes.
Her highest-rated novel on GoodReads is her latest book, The Spectacular.
What Fiona Davis Movies Are Coming Out?
At this time, there are no movie or tv adaptations planned.
We will update this when it happens because we know it will.
Is it necessary to read Fiona Davis’s books in a specific order?
No, each book is a standalone story.
What are the Fiona Davis books in the order published?
Books in order:
- The Dollhouse (2016)
- The Address (2017)
- The Masterpiece (2018)
- The Chelsea Girls (2019)
- The Lions of Fifth Avenue (2020)
- The Magnolia Palace (2022)
- The Spectacular (2023)
Short Stories:
- Stories from Suffragette City (2020)- Historical Fiction Anthology Series
- A Wild Rose- Amazon Original Stories (2022)
Fiona Davis Books
Fiona Davis is the New York Times bestselling author of seven historical fiction novels set in iconic New York City buildings.
She first came to New York as an actress but fell in love with writing after getting a master's degree at Columbia Journalism School.
Her books have been translated into over twenty languages, and she's based in New York City.
Browse this list of all the Fiona Davis books.
The Spectacular
In her latest book, readers are introduced to Marion, a Rockettes dancer who finds herself entangled in pursuing the "Big Apple Bomber."
Amidst captivating dance sequences and historical details, Davis seamlessly weaves in little-known facts about bombings in iconic locations all over New York.
It also includes fascinating insights into the earliest days of psychological profiling that will enthrall true crime fans.
Be sure to listen to today's Book Gang interview to learn more about Davis's research process and what she plans to tackle in the new book that she is now writing.
Amidst captivating dance sequences and historical details, Davis seamlessly weaves in little-known facts about bombings in iconic locations all over New York.
It also includes fascinating insights into the earliest days of psychological profiling that will enthrall true crime fans.
Be sure to listen to today's Book Gang interview to learn more about Davis's research process and what she plans to tackle in the new book that she is now writing.
A Wild Rose (A Point in Time Collection)
This short story is just 36 pages.
Against the backdrop of 1950s New York, acclaimed pianist Gloria Banderas faces an unexpected setback that leads her to Carnegie Hall's hidden corridors.
Amid a career-threatening ailment, she befriends a community of impassioned artists residing above the theater.
Gloria immerses herself in their world as she contemplates her stagnant marriage and artistic calling.
This short story is available to read for FREE through Prime. Readers can check out ten books for free through the Prime library- don't miss my book recommendations.
The Magnolia Palace
In the aftermath of the Spanish flu outbreak in 1919, Lillian Carter, once a sought-after artists' model, finds herself adrift.
Her mother's passing leaves her jobless and vulnerable to scandal.
An opportunity at the Frick mansion as a private secretary to Helen Frick promises refuge, but it entangles her in a complex web of romance, stolen treasures, and family secrets.
In the 1970s, an English model Veronica Weber seized her chance for success within the transformed Frick residence, now a museum.
After being dismissed from a Vogue shoot, Veronica and aspiring curator Joshua uncover hidden messages that could unravel a decades-old murder mystery.
Stories from Suffragette City
This short story collection is set on a pivotal day in 1915, when a million women rallied in New York City for the right to vote.
Written by renowned historical fiction authors, these stories vividly portray a nation on the brink of a battle and a collective determination to shatter even the most unyielding glass ceilings.
Authors included in this collection are Lisa Wingate, M. J. Rose, Steve Berry, Paula McLain, Katherine J. Chen, Christina Baker Kline, Jamie Ford, Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Megan Chance, Alyson Richman, Chris Bohjalian, and Fiona Davis.
The Lions of Fifth Avenue
This book was selected as a Good Morning America Book Club book in 2020 and a perfect pick for any reader who has ever dreamed of living in a library.
In 1913, Laura Lyons is the wife of the New York Public Library superintendent.
Dissatisfied with her role only as wife and mother, she defies societal norms when she embraces journalism and finds refuge in the Heterodoxy Club.
But she's forced to confront her priorities when books are stolen from the library.
Eighty years later, Sadie Donovan struggles with the legacy of her grandmother, Laura Lyons.
Working as a curator for the New York Public Library, she is shocked When pieces from her exhibit begin to disappear.
These disappearing pieces hold the keys to uncovering surprising truths about her family legacy.
Looking for the best books for book clubs? Be sure to check out this list of 13 of the best book club books to read now.
The Chelsea Girls
In The Chelsea Girls, playwright Hazel and actress Maxine navigate Broadway aspirations and the Red Scare's ruthless grip on McCarthy-era America.
Amidst the narrative, the House Un-American Activities Committee's relentless probes cast a shadow over the lives of the hotel's residents, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
As politics entwine with friendship and freedom, this captivating tale spanning the 1940s to the 1960s unveils the untold stories behind Chelsea Hotel's sweeping staircase.
The Masterpiece
This dual-timeline story is set within the iconic Grand Central Terminal.
In 1928, Clara's path to the future led her to the Grand Central School of Art. As an illustrator, she tries to carve a name for herself amidst personal tragedies and the Great Depression.
In 1974, Grand Central's decline set the stage for Virginia's journey.
Working at the information desk, she discovers a hidden abandoned art school within the terminal, sparking a quest to save the Terminal and to discover the artist whose work was left behind.
This novel was the MomAdvice Reading Retreat selection. Get tips for hosting a reading retreat with your friends.
The Address
This fast-paced historical fiction mystery novel takes readers from 1884 London to New York's iconic Dakota apartment house.
Witness Sara Smythe's transformation from head housekeeper to the female manager of The Dakota while navigating love, ambition, and a world of new possibilities.
Don't miss this list of the best new historical fiction books of 2023 for your book stack.
The Dollhouse
In this Fiona Davis debut, this historical fiction mystery novel explores New York City's Barbizon Hotel.
"The Barbizon Hotel for Women" was a haven for aspiring women navigating New York City's challenges in the 1950s.
When a resident befrinds a maid that works on the property, she discovers a hidden side of the city.
Now fifty years later the hotel operates as a condos, but still harbors those surprising secrets.
Past and present collide as a journalist unearths the hidden tales of ambition, glamour, and intrigue that defined the building's walls in its earlier days.
Love debut novels? This list of the best debut novels of 2023 (so far) is a great place to start with your reading life.