The Queen of Tuesday by Darin Strauss: Book Review

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz indisputably changed the landscape of television with their megahit “I Love Lucy”. The first television show to be recorded before a live audience, this beloved show can still be introduced to new generations today as it continues on TV in syndication nearly 70 years from its original run. The Queen of Tuesday is a fictional read about this time in history with a storyline that combines Lucille’s professional and home life with Desi Arnaz with the author’s Grandfather’s suggested romance with the famous redhead.

There were several aspects of the book that I thoroughly enjoyed. The author has done a great job in his research of Lucille and recounts several episodes of the show which I was able to recall vividly. I also appreciated the romantic story between Lucille and Hold-on (Lucille’s nickname for the author’s Grandfather) although this was very little of the actual book. What I didn’t like about the book is that I felt at times that the writing was awkward.  I found the first chapters to be particularly challenging to read. Moreover, I really wasn’t that engaged to all the history of his Grandparent’s lives.

Overall, I found The Queen of Tuesday to be entertaining in several points but also difficult to read at times. I think this book tried to be too much with combining the author’s Grandparents lives, I Love Lucy history, and a romance between Lucille and Hold-on. The flow of the book was impacted as a result.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

My rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5.