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Fabulous!: An Opera Buffa
A talented opera singer, Gilbert Eugene Rose, moonlights as a drag queen and diva divine, Kiri De Uwana, in order to pay his rent. Like many, Gil is dying to become famous on the New York operatic stage; unfortunately he might get his wish when he lands lead roles as a soprano and tenor in separate productions and is also hired to sing Handel by a dangerous female gangster who is at war with the producer of one of the two operas. Suddenly, happy-go-lucky Gil finds himself stranded in the middle of Mobster Boulevard, aflutter in heels, dresses, and wigs, with only his wits for protection and a new romance for inspiration.
228 pages, Paperback
Published September 25, 2018
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Laury A. Egan
27 books51 followersLaury A. Egan is the author of fifteen novels: "Fair Haven," "Jack & I," "The Black Leopard's Kiss & The Writer Remembers," "The Psychologist's Shadow," "The Firefly," "Once, Upon an Island," "The Outcast Oracle," "The Swimmer," "Wave in D Minor," "Doublecrossed," "Turnabout," "A Bittersweet Tale," "The Ungodly Hour," "Jenny Kidd," "Fabulous! An Opera Buffa," and two collections, "Contrary: Stories and a Play" and "Fog and Other Stories." Four poetry books have been issued in limited edition: "Snow, Shadows, a Stranger;" "Beneath the Lion's Paw;" "The Sea & Beyond;" and "Presence & Absence." Her work has appeared in over 90 literary journals and anthologies.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 20, 2018
Sassy Draq Queen Kiri De Uwana aka talented tenor Gilbert Eugene Rose is the protagonist and narrator of this campy romp/mobster farce, that had me in stitches for most of the time I spent reading this book.
The Sassy Drag Queen act pays the rent, while Gilbert dreams of making it on Broadway, singing opera. His dreams seem to come true when he's hired as a tenor in one production, as a soprano in another, and forced to make nice and sing Handel for a diminutive female mobster who won't take no for an answer.
As he runs (in high heels) from one rehearsal to the next, Gilbert becomes more and more embroiled in a decades-old feud - but he just wants to sing, for crying out loud, and he's not interested in having a target on his back.
If you're looking to spend a few hours reading a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud book, with a multitude of fascinating characters, a few edge-of-your-seat moments, and a larger than life Drama Queen, this is the book for you.
** I received a free copy of this book from its author in exchange for an honest review. **
The Sassy Drag Queen act pays the rent, while Gilbert dreams of making it on Broadway, singing opera. His dreams seem to come true when he's hired as a tenor in one production, as a soprano in another, and forced to make nice and sing Handel for a diminutive female mobster who won't take no for an answer.
As he runs (in high heels) from one rehearsal to the next, Gilbert becomes more and more embroiled in a decades-old feud - but he just wants to sing, for crying out loud, and he's not interested in having a target on his back.
If you're looking to spend a few hours reading a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud book, with a multitude of fascinating characters, a few edge-of-your-seat moments, and a larger than life Drama Queen, this is the book for you.
** I received a free copy of this book from its author in exchange for an honest review. **
September 8, 2018
So funny it needs to be a movie.The perfect read for some comic relief .Totally enjoyed the time I spent reading it and you will too.
July 13, 2018
Egan, Laury A. “Fabulous!: An Opera Buffa”, Tiny Fox Press, 2018.
Paying the Rent
Amos Lassen
Sometimes when life is getting you down, you need to do something to raise your spirits. (I doubt that sentence needs any further explanation these days). The way I do this is to look for a book that will pick me up and take me away to a place I would ordinarily not go. It just so happened that I received an invitation to review a book by an author I did not know and it did the trick. Just think about the intersection between the mob, opera and drag and you will see what kind of fun can be had.
Gilbert Eugene Rose is a talented opera singer who moonlights as a drag queen and diva divine, Kiri De Uwana. Sometimes it is what we have to do to pay the rent. But let’s face it, there are not too many drag dives that make it to the big time and Gil really wants to make it on the New York opera scene. He gets two gigs (surely there is a more refined word in opera-talk), one as a soprano and one as a tenor in separate productions and he also gets to chance to sing Handel when he is hired by a very dangerous female gangster who just happens to be in the midst of war with the producer of one of the other two operas. The chances of any of this ending happily are very slim.
As might be expected in the world of drag, this is a campy story that is way over the top and Gil only has his drag apparel, his wigs and his wits for support in a very trying time. Like many operas, we have an epic cast of characters; unlike many operas, the characters seem to be missing something and as the story moves forward, the reader is in for great fun. I was so reminded of when as an undergrad, I took a part as an extra in a New Orleans Opera House production of “La Boheme” and as I attended rehearsals, I came to understand that sanity in the opera world is a rare trait…. but the insanity is fun. I felt a smile on my face the entire time I read “Fabulous”.
Now I certainly do not want to ruin a read by writing spoilers so I am going to very carefully attempt to skirt the plot as much as possible (and no, the use of the word “skirt” here has nothing to do with drag). We immediately see the conflict that Gil faces when he is so anxious to make a name for himself that he takes on more than he can handle (or Handel). Taking two leading roles at two different opera houses was already too much but he had to take one more job to privately perform privately. And we are off on a crazy journey through three different aspects of New York City life— the drag, mob and opera scenes. What I find so wonderful about this book is that it does not ridicule or make fun of drag but rather captures the scene believably and beautifully. Sometimes we have to be reminded that we have to be able to laugh at ourselves.
I have to comment on Laury Egan’s character development of Gil. She has developed not only a loving main character but his alter egos as well and we can say the same for all of the other characters. The other characters run the gamut from “drag queens, psychics, spirit guides, mobsters to lesbian best friends, ex-lovers, hitmen/women, crazy love interests, absent parents, multiple identities and kidnappers. If you thought that “The Ten Commandments” had a big cast, you will be surprised at how many characters we have here and each is well developed. As if crazy characters are not enough, we also find them in crazy situations. Forget the world of reality and come away with Laury Egan to a world you have never visited before.
I came across a review (something I rarely do is read other reviews before writing my own) that uses the word “audacious” to describe “Fabulous” and I believe that hits it on the head. In fact, I felt the story to be so audacious that I read it in one sitting. I do think that I should mention that the humor is well meant and sophisticated so you will be laughing more internally than aloud— but you will be laughing.
I have only on a few occasions had trouble reviewing a book without giving something away especially because there are situations that I am dying to share but holding back. That is about the strongest recommendation that I can give and hopefully you will agree with me after reading “Fabulous”.
Paying the Rent
Amos Lassen
Sometimes when life is getting you down, you need to do something to raise your spirits. (I doubt that sentence needs any further explanation these days). The way I do this is to look for a book that will pick me up and take me away to a place I would ordinarily not go. It just so happened that I received an invitation to review a book by an author I did not know and it did the trick. Just think about the intersection between the mob, opera and drag and you will see what kind of fun can be had.
Gilbert Eugene Rose is a talented opera singer who moonlights as a drag queen and diva divine, Kiri De Uwana. Sometimes it is what we have to do to pay the rent. But let’s face it, there are not too many drag dives that make it to the big time and Gil really wants to make it on the New York opera scene. He gets two gigs (surely there is a more refined word in opera-talk), one as a soprano and one as a tenor in separate productions and he also gets to chance to sing Handel when he is hired by a very dangerous female gangster who just happens to be in the midst of war with the producer of one of the other two operas. The chances of any of this ending happily are very slim.
As might be expected in the world of drag, this is a campy story that is way over the top and Gil only has his drag apparel, his wigs and his wits for support in a very trying time. Like many operas, we have an epic cast of characters; unlike many operas, the characters seem to be missing something and as the story moves forward, the reader is in for great fun. I was so reminded of when as an undergrad, I took a part as an extra in a New Orleans Opera House production of “La Boheme” and as I attended rehearsals, I came to understand that sanity in the opera world is a rare trait…. but the insanity is fun. I felt a smile on my face the entire time I read “Fabulous”.
Now I certainly do not want to ruin a read by writing spoilers so I am going to very carefully attempt to skirt the plot as much as possible (and no, the use of the word “skirt” here has nothing to do with drag). We immediately see the conflict that Gil faces when he is so anxious to make a name for himself that he takes on more than he can handle (or Handel). Taking two leading roles at two different opera houses was already too much but he had to take one more job to privately perform privately. And we are off on a crazy journey through three different aspects of New York City life— the drag, mob and opera scenes. What I find so wonderful about this book is that it does not ridicule or make fun of drag but rather captures the scene believably and beautifully. Sometimes we have to be reminded that we have to be able to laugh at ourselves.
I have to comment on Laury Egan’s character development of Gil. She has developed not only a loving main character but his alter egos as well and we can say the same for all of the other characters. The other characters run the gamut from “drag queens, psychics, spirit guides, mobsters to lesbian best friends, ex-lovers, hitmen/women, crazy love interests, absent parents, multiple identities and kidnappers. If you thought that “The Ten Commandments” had a big cast, you will be surprised at how many characters we have here and each is well developed. As if crazy characters are not enough, we also find them in crazy situations. Forget the world of reality and come away with Laury Egan to a world you have never visited before.
I came across a review (something I rarely do is read other reviews before writing my own) that uses the word “audacious” to describe “Fabulous” and I believe that hits it on the head. In fact, I felt the story to be so audacious that I read it in one sitting. I do think that I should mention that the humor is well meant and sophisticated so you will be laughing more internally than aloud— but you will be laughing.
I have only on a few occasions had trouble reviewing a book without giving something away especially because there are situations that I am dying to share but holding back. That is about the strongest recommendation that I can give and hopefully you will agree with me after reading “Fabulous”.
August 30, 2018
If you're looking for a book that manages to seamlessly combine opera, drag, and the mob, look no further. Fabulous! has it all...and its sassy drag queen narrator is an almost perfect guide to her madcap, "it's complicated" life. The book is an entertaining romp and an easy, enjoyable read. I knocked off a star because it did seem a little desperate at times to make almost every sentence a punchline and that need to find humor and cleverness in every line grew tiresome. But, all in all, this was a fun read and I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy farce, opera, camp humor, or any combination of the above.
October 1, 2018
‘Illusion was my stock and trade.’
New Jersey author Laury A. Egan has won honors for her work ("The Outcast Oracle" was named as a "Best of 2013" books by Kirkus Reviews), and has published poetry collections, short stories psychological suspense and now high comedy with FABULOUS: AN OPERA BUFFA. Her work has received nominations for two Pushcart Prizes, Best of the Web, Best of the Net, and has appeared in over 35 literary journals.
Laury’s polished prose happens to adapt very well to parody and genuine comedy, creating characters that once me are unforgettable. In this delightful comedy adventure she opens with all her forces in place – ‘Kiri De Uwana - My psychic medium told me that it was just a matter of time. Although Madame Clara didn’t elaborate on the details and said that her timelines might be a trifle off, she was absolutely positive that 2009 would be the year, confirmed by the Ouija board spirit enumerating 009. Well, that was good enough for me, Kiri De Uwana, diva divine! The bright lights were going to become downright dazzling. My stiletto heels barely touched the sidewalk as I walked home after the session. I didn’t attend to most of the whistles and catcalls from the hot men on the street, though I did flutter my pink chiffon scarf at one hunky black boy who was pile-driving to beat the band. On another day I might have invited him up for a mint julep, but today I had other things on my mind. By the way, my name is Gilbert Eugene Rose. Although I don’t advertise my place of birth, I hail from the side of Atlantic City sans glamour. Except for music, my childhood was a perpetual winter, one I hurried through with desperate speed. Being a gay boy and, I modestly confess, a beauty—blond hair the color of sunlight, dark blue eyes like glittering jewels, fair skin perfect as cream, and refined features (nothing too large or too small, ahem!)—I was shunned by the girls because they were jealous and taunted by the boys because I was not sufficiently rough and tumble, though a little tumble now and then held occasional appeal. My escape happened after high school, when opera called yoo-hoo. I fled to the first of several music schools, leaving my mother to tend to her inebriations (my father had departed many years before). After absorbing the collective wisdom of the finest vocal, diction, and language teachers, I packed my makeup, wigs, and hats and took the bus home—my new home, New York City. That was eleven years ago. Now, at age thirty-four, I am broke, or nearly, but after emptying my purse, turning all of my pockets inside out, and searching through every hidey hole in my apartment, I have just enough cash to pay for a lesson with my voice coach, Anna Marie, who thinks I’m a soprano. Well, sort of. Anna Marie is in her eighties and didn’t eat her carrots when she was young—if you get my drift. Frankly, I don’t see how she can play the piano in her semi-blind condition, but she plunks away nicely with her arthritic fingers. Anyway, she knows her stuff (even if she can’t tell I’m not a female soprano) and loves my voice and appreciates the perfume samples I liberate from Oscar’s, the department store where I dress the mannequins.’
Where will this drag queen take us? The plot synopsis hints: ‘Gil is a talented opera singer who moonlights as a drag queen to pay his rent. Like others, he's dying to become famous on the New York operatic stage; unfortunately he might get his wish when he lands lead roles as a soprano and tenor in separate productions and is also hired to sing Handel by a dangerous female gangster who is at war with the producer of one of the two operas. Suddenly happy-go-lucky Gil finds himself stranded in the middle of Mobster Boulevard, aflutter in heels, dresses, and wigs with only his wits for protection and a new romance for inspiration.’
Just the right blend of howling comedy with a hefty dollop of intrigue, FABULOUS! Is fabulous. A real winner for the talented Laury A. Egan. Highly recommended
New Jersey author Laury A. Egan has won honors for her work ("The Outcast Oracle" was named as a "Best of 2013" books by Kirkus Reviews), and has published poetry collections, short stories psychological suspense and now high comedy with FABULOUS: AN OPERA BUFFA. Her work has received nominations for two Pushcart Prizes, Best of the Web, Best of the Net, and has appeared in over 35 literary journals.
Laury’s polished prose happens to adapt very well to parody and genuine comedy, creating characters that once me are unforgettable. In this delightful comedy adventure she opens with all her forces in place – ‘Kiri De Uwana - My psychic medium told me that it was just a matter of time. Although Madame Clara didn’t elaborate on the details and said that her timelines might be a trifle off, she was absolutely positive that 2009 would be the year, confirmed by the Ouija board spirit enumerating 009. Well, that was good enough for me, Kiri De Uwana, diva divine! The bright lights were going to become downright dazzling. My stiletto heels barely touched the sidewalk as I walked home after the session. I didn’t attend to most of the whistles and catcalls from the hot men on the street, though I did flutter my pink chiffon scarf at one hunky black boy who was pile-driving to beat the band. On another day I might have invited him up for a mint julep, but today I had other things on my mind. By the way, my name is Gilbert Eugene Rose. Although I don’t advertise my place of birth, I hail from the side of Atlantic City sans glamour. Except for music, my childhood was a perpetual winter, one I hurried through with desperate speed. Being a gay boy and, I modestly confess, a beauty—blond hair the color of sunlight, dark blue eyes like glittering jewels, fair skin perfect as cream, and refined features (nothing too large or too small, ahem!)—I was shunned by the girls because they were jealous and taunted by the boys because I was not sufficiently rough and tumble, though a little tumble now and then held occasional appeal. My escape happened after high school, when opera called yoo-hoo. I fled to the first of several music schools, leaving my mother to tend to her inebriations (my father had departed many years before). After absorbing the collective wisdom of the finest vocal, diction, and language teachers, I packed my makeup, wigs, and hats and took the bus home—my new home, New York City. That was eleven years ago. Now, at age thirty-four, I am broke, or nearly, but after emptying my purse, turning all of my pockets inside out, and searching through every hidey hole in my apartment, I have just enough cash to pay for a lesson with my voice coach, Anna Marie, who thinks I’m a soprano. Well, sort of. Anna Marie is in her eighties and didn’t eat her carrots when she was young—if you get my drift. Frankly, I don’t see how she can play the piano in her semi-blind condition, but she plunks away nicely with her arthritic fingers. Anyway, she knows her stuff (even if she can’t tell I’m not a female soprano) and loves my voice and appreciates the perfume samples I liberate from Oscar’s, the department store where I dress the mannequins.’
Where will this drag queen take us? The plot synopsis hints: ‘Gil is a talented opera singer who moonlights as a drag queen to pay his rent. Like others, he's dying to become famous on the New York operatic stage; unfortunately he might get his wish when he lands lead roles as a soprano and tenor in separate productions and is also hired to sing Handel by a dangerous female gangster who is at war with the producer of one of the two operas. Suddenly happy-go-lucky Gil finds himself stranded in the middle of Mobster Boulevard, aflutter in heels, dresses, and wigs with only his wits for protection and a new romance for inspiration.’
Just the right blend of howling comedy with a hefty dollop of intrigue, FABULOUS! Is fabulous. A real winner for the talented Laury A. Egan. Highly recommended
July 7, 2018
Could Derek Guilia Christopher Hancock-Rose-Wren aka Gilbert get himself into more trouble? After reading this book and seeing how much he will do to be an Opera star, yes, he probably could manage to get into more trouble. This book had me laughing and worrying how this was going to turn out for Gil. He is simultaneously staring in two Operas. In one he has a female role in the other a male role. Neither of which he auditioned for as Gil, but rather one of his many aliases. In addition, he is a performing drag queen and a window dresser. His "best friend" is a manly lesbian who introduces him to the very dangerous La Donna whom he starts singing for in order to make more money. But La Donna is a very dangerous lady. If my review sounds all over the place, that's because Gil is all over the place in many ways. Opps, I forgot to mention his ex, William, his ex's new boyfriend, Douglas, and the very handsome and mysterious Hank. Thankfully Fabulous has a happy ending and Gil manages to get most of his life together!!! Such a fun book!!! I am giving this a 3.5-star review rounding to 4.
September 20, 2018
This book had my head spinning! Fabulous!: An Opera Buffa takes readers along for the ride as we attempt to keep up with the exploits of a gay drag queen named Gil.
The plot hinges on what I, as an LGBTQ+ person, consider to be delicate subject matter: deception about one's gender. I wasn't completely sure where where the book would go regarding that, but I'm glad I read through to the end.
I actually knew very little about the opera scene going into this novel. At times, the jargon lost me a little - but I still found this to be quite the entertaining and amusing read. I very much enjoyed the drag humor.
The characters (flaws and all) are interesting and funny. The story sets a fast pace. There are layers upon tangly layers that deal with and explore identity and performance. By the end of the book, Gil's character growth was satisfying!
The plot hinges on what I, as an LGBTQ+ person, consider to be delicate subject matter: deception about one's gender. I wasn't completely sure where where the book would go regarding that, but I'm glad I read through to the end.
I actually knew very little about the opera scene going into this novel. At times, the jargon lost me a little - but I still found this to be quite the entertaining and amusing read. I very much enjoyed the drag humor.
The characters (flaws and all) are interesting and funny. The story sets a fast pace. There are layers upon tangly layers that deal with and explore identity and performance. By the end of the book, Gil's character growth was satisfying!
January 6, 2019
This book is hilarious, and yes, fabulous. Gilbert as a main character was occasionally over-the-top and campy, making me laugh and sometimes roll my eyes. He's not a one dimensional character, though. He is caring, loyal, creative, funny, has complicated relationships with his mother and ex-boyfriend. The story contains elements of comedy, suspense, action, and romance, with secondary characters that contribute and enhance each of those elements. Egan's writing is full of humor and warmth and she has created a story that is thoroughly enjoyable. At 254 pages it's a quick read with a fast-paced plot.
April 22, 2018
Fabulous! by Laury A. Egan is, well, FABULOUS! I loved it! A very funny, well-written romp through NYC's drag, mob and opera scenes. Egan has beautifully captured Gil and his 'alter egos' in a truly believable and loving light. All the characters are wonderfully written and fully developed. I loved reading this and found it so enjoyable-- as I chuckled along-- page after page.
October 10, 2018
Fabulous! is an admiring piece that addresses LGBTQ and identity issues in a beautiful and enlightening presentation. Readers will love protagonist Gilbert Eugene Rose and learn how LGBTQ individuals are regular people with everyday challenges. Anyone in the market for a great quick read should definitely give Laury Egan's book a read.
September 26, 2018
When I read the description of this book, I wasn't sure how Egan would manage to tie everything together -- drag, the mob, opera -- but she did it seamlessly and with a so much fun! I loved this book!
October 10, 2018
I absolutely loved this book! Egan was able to blend music, love, and suspense into a well-told literary piece. I promise anyone thinking about reading this book that love the inclusiveness and amazing characters. Fabulous! lives up to its name in every way!
September 16, 2018
Gilbert is a talented opera singer who moonlights at The Purple Plum in drag. He needs to pay his rent and hopes to win William, his ex back from his new boyfriend. His friend, Gal Friday helps him out with loans and other things. Gil takes a job singing in an opera with the producers daughter as a woman. No one knows that Gil is a man as he looks like a beautiful woman, with his clothes on. Since Gil owes Gal Friday a favor, he agrees to sing for La Donna, a friend of hers. He doesn't understand that this is a command performance. There's so much going on with Him and his friends and enemies that someone might wind up dead. It's a madcap, fun adventure that pulls you in. I loved Gilbert. He is fabulous.
May 13, 2018
This book was...WAY over-the-top and campy.. I learned way more about opera than I ever imagined I would. Gilbert Eugene Rose (or Kiri De Uwana or Guilia Hancock or Christopher Wren.) is a talented opera singer trying to make a name for himself. He ends up taking roles in two operas organized by two different opera houses, and he takes a job performing privately for a reclusive fan of opera. Drag queens, psychics, spirit guides, mobsters, lesbian best friends, ex-lovers, hitmen/women, crazy love interests, absent parents, multiple identities, kidnappers...you name, this book has it. In fact, it has so many kooky characters and situations that I felt overwhelmed. I know not every story needs to be based in reality but, man, this one went off the deep ends at times.
That's not to say that I didn't enjoy any of the book. There were parts I did like and I managed to read the entire book in a day and a half. It was an easy read for me. I didn't have trouble following all the weird tangents the author takes the reader on. While I might have smirked at some of the funny lines, nothing made me laugh at loud. I'll say it was amusing but not funny enough to chuckle.
This book has action, suspense, and comedy along the lines of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. If you've ever read any of Stephanie's adventures, you have a very good idea at how ridiculous (and not always in a bad way) this story got.
That's not to say that I didn't enjoy any of the book. There were parts I did like and I managed to read the entire book in a day and a half. It was an easy read for me. I didn't have trouble following all the weird tangents the author takes the reader on. While I might have smirked at some of the funny lines, nothing made me laugh at loud. I'll say it was amusing but not funny enough to chuckle.
This book has action, suspense, and comedy along the lines of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. If you've ever read any of Stephanie's adventures, you have a very good idea at how ridiculous (and not always in a bad way) this story got.
September 5, 2018
Fabulous!: An Opera Buffa is a fast-paced, madcap adventure of a gay drag queen named Gil living in NYC who wants nothing more than to be an opera star. But things get complicated fast when Gil lands roles in two separate operas - one as a soprano (disguised as a woman), and one as a tenor - and also becomes the pet singer of a mob boss. There are no lulls in the action in this book, keeping the pages turning and turning!
As a person who very much falls under the LGBTQ umbrella, I will admit that there were a few flags that went up for me in the first third of this book (or so). The protagonist, Gil, has several traits that make him initially unlikable (such as stealing a server's tip - yuck, yuck, yuck), and unfortunately, many of these traits are existing negative stereotypes about either gay men in particular or the wider LGBTQ community. Now, a protagonist doesn't have to be perfect by any means (nor should they - it becomes unbelievable and boring at that point); but it's a very fine line to treat with representation of us queer folk these days. Gil and many of his gay friends are promiscuous, dishonest, and confused about who they are (especially Gil on that last one). To add fuel to that fire, a huge plot point is Gil's deception about his gender or who he is. I know that the line between drag and being trans can be quite thin or blurred, but these days I find it a little unsettling to tell stories about an LGBTQ person deceiving everyone around them with regards to their gender (as people feeling 'deceived' is probably the most commonly cited source of the "trans panic" response, leading to very real deaths of trans people).
That being said, once I removed all this heavy, "very real-world" context from my feelings about it, the story was great and the characters entertaining. I did feel that Gil grew a lot as a character by the end, and his own realizations about himself and learning process about who he really was was very rewarding to read and experience with him. The humor in this book is great - very reminiscent of drag humor in general, of course, which is always hilarious! - and the story was engaging. Overall I really did enjoy the book. My main reasons for giving only three stars were just the concerns cited above about the possibility of perpetuating negative stereotypes and/or false perceptions about trans people (and again, this book is not about trans people - but I think it's likely that some who are less familiar with the difference could become easily confused).
Great read!
As a person who very much falls under the LGBTQ umbrella, I will admit that there were a few flags that went up for me in the first third of this book (or so). The protagonist, Gil, has several traits that make him initially unlikable (such as stealing a server's tip - yuck, yuck, yuck), and unfortunately, many of these traits are existing negative stereotypes about either gay men in particular or the wider LGBTQ community. Now, a protagonist doesn't have to be perfect by any means (nor should they - it becomes unbelievable and boring at that point); but it's a very fine line to treat with representation of us queer folk these days. Gil and many of his gay friends are promiscuous, dishonest, and confused about who they are (especially Gil on that last one). To add fuel to that fire, a huge plot point is Gil's deception about his gender or who he is. I know that the line between drag and being trans can be quite thin or blurred, but these days I find it a little unsettling to tell stories about an LGBTQ person deceiving everyone around them with regards to their gender (as people feeling 'deceived' is probably the most commonly cited source of the "trans panic" response, leading to very real deaths of trans people).
That being said, once I removed all this heavy, "very real-world" context from my feelings about it, the story was great and the characters entertaining. I did feel that Gil grew a lot as a character by the end, and his own realizations about himself and learning process about who he really was was very rewarding to read and experience with him. The humor in this book is great - very reminiscent of drag humor in general, of course, which is always hilarious! - and the story was engaging. Overall I really did enjoy the book. My main reasons for giving only three stars were just the concerns cited above about the possibility of perpetuating negative stereotypes and/or false perceptions about trans people (and again, this book is not about trans people - but I think it's likely that some who are less familiar with the difference could become easily confused).
Great read!
December 31, 2019
Writing "Fabulous!" was so much fun that I hated to leave Gil and his crazy friends and enemies! Although I don't often write comedy (except for some short fiction in "Fog and Other Stories"), this novel provided a wonderful change from psychological suspense and literary work. In this day and age with so much negative news, this novel might provide a welcome change--happy chaos, yes, but funny. I hope my readers take a look at it and let me know your thoughts. Many thanks to one and all!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews