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Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
At the iconic 1939 New York World’s Fair, two ambitious young women—a down-on-her-luck actress and an aspiring journalist—form an unlikely friendship as they navigate a world of possibility and find out what they are truly made of during a glorious summer of spectacle and potential…
Gorgeous Vivi is about to begin filming her first starring role in a Hollywood picture when the studio head ships her off to New York as a favor to a friend. She’s assigned the leading role in the heralded Aquacade synchronized swimming spectacular at the World’s Fair, a fate she believes will destroy her film career. If she performs well, she’ll have another chance at stardom, but with everything working against her, will her summer lead to opportunity or failure?
Plucky Max dreams of becoming a serious journalist, but when her job at the New York Times doesn’t pan out, she finds herself begrudgingly working for the daily paper of the World’s Fair. As her ideas are continually overlooked by her male counterparts and her career prospects are put in jeopardy, Max must risk everything to change the course of her life.
When Max and Vivi’s worlds collide, they forge an enduring friendship. One that teaches them to go after what matters most during the most meaningful summer of their lives.
Review:
Although I have read many Historical Fiction novels set in New York, I have never read one that focused on the 1939 World's Fair. I think the concept of such an event can't even be imagined in today's world. It would be like a Pop-Up Epcot Center in New York! We Came Here to Shine, by Susie Orman Schnall, puts the reader in this amazing place in such a convincing way, that I felt like I could walk around the Fair and see all the wonders of it. That being said, I wish the author had included more of the social ills of the time, to round out the picture. Because, for some, life in 1935 was certainly no day at the Fair.
What I Liked:
Setting:
Both Max and Vivi work in different capacities at the World's Fair. Max works behind the scenes for the Fair's daily newspaper, while Vivi is front and center as the headliner of the elaborate Aquacade show. This gives the author ample opportunity to show just how complex an operation this was.
Who knew that a World's Fair would even have its own newspaper? The level of coordination between the many departments within the Fair for special events, such as the visit from the King and Queen of England, showed what a massive undertaking was at hand.
For Vivi, the Aquacade show was the ultimate theatrical production, with costumes, music, comedy acts, special effects, and complicated choreographed swim routines. Vivi is thrown into this world where she literally has to sink or swim to stardom! This came with all the usual personal dramas among cast and crew. It would have been such an exciting production.
Characters:
I really liked both Max and Vivi. While both young women were determined to succeed in their chosen career, they had opposite types of approaches. Max was very confrontational. This was helpful as a woman trying to make it in a workplace filled with men. But it also meant she put some people off with her impatience, and made it hard for her to form alliances with others.
Vivi knew how to get along with others. She made friends, and had a reputation for being easy to work with. Her issue was that she was reluctant to rock the boat. She was far too trusting that her bosses had her best interests at heart.
I loved how the two women became friends and helped each other with their challenges.
Story:
The story follows how Max and Vivi each work through setbacks that happen at the beginning of the novel. Max doesn't get her dream internship at the New York Times. Instead she is placed in a clerical post at the World's Fair newspaper where her boss prevents her from doing any writing. Vivi was set to begin filming her first big movie role, but instead was sent to New York to work (albeit, star) in the Aquacade.
I liked how the resolved itself. Everything did not work out perfectly for our main characters. Instead, they learned more about themselves and realized that what they wanted would change over time. This was much more realistic, and was ultimately a positive message.
What I Was Mixed About:
Washing Over Prejudice:
As I said in my introduction, I wish the author had delved more deeply into some of the problems of living in the 1930's. While there were a few cursory references to discrimination, the author painted them as minor inconveniences, not the huge hurtles they would have been.
For instance, Max, who is Jewish, has a crush on one of her fellow students. He comes from a rich, society family (most likely WASP). She makes a fleeting reference that his mother wouldn't like her because she's Jewish. But in 1939, it would be unheard of for a Christian and a Jew to marry. Both would be cast out of their social circles. Max also would have had a tougher time finding a job as a journalist. But the book spends no time exploring the realities for Jewish people at that time.
There is also a gay character who willingly outs himself to get fired from a job he doesn't want. But in 1939, a man could go to prison for being gay. I hardly think anyone would be so glib as to take the threat of jail so lightly.
Obviously, this was not meant to be a book about the tough realities for marginalized people in the 1930's. But by glossing over these issues, the author creates a less authentic reality.
Rating: 
Release Date: June 16th, 2020
Author: Susie Orman Schnall
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Historical Fiction
Page Length: 384 pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: An intriguing look at the 1939 World's Fair, with lots of details about the workings of this massive event. Adding more details of the social complexities of the day would have made this even better.
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