The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag

by Sasha Velour

“Drag embodies the queer possibility that exists within each of us—the infinite ways in which gender, good taste, and art can be lived.” – Sasha Velour This book is a quilt, piecing together memoir, history, and theory into a living portrait of an artist and an art. Within these pages, illustrated throughout with photos and original artwork, Sasha Velour illuminates drag as a unique form of expression with a rich history and a revolutionary spirit. Each chapter strips off a new layer, removing one tantalizing glove and then another, to reveal all the twists and turns in the life of a queen. As Sasha recalls her own journey, from the women who raised her, to learning the craft of an artist, to success, disaster, and more, she also uncovers the history of queer life around the world that made it all possible. From shamans to “fairies balls,” empresses to RuPaul’s Drag Race (and beyond), The Big Reveal chronicles and celebrates our shared queer pasts. “If we want to be seen as legendary,” writes Sasha, “we have to weave ourselves into history.” From an iconoclastic drag queen comes an equally singular, thought-provoking manifesto that brings necessary and sparkling substance to our understanding of drag, queerness, beauty, and liberation!

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Queer, Memoir, History, Audiobook, Art

210 pages, Hardcover

First published April 4, 2023

Reviews

[Sunny Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Libro.fm ALC influencer program for early access!

Really really sweet memoir that I had no trouble getting in and out of without having any knowledge of drag or drag race or Sasha Velour

[Bek (MoonyReadsByStarlight) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book, hoping it would be great but completely content if it was incredibly mediocre (if Sahsa Velour wrote it, I wanted to read it regardless). And it was better than I ever could have wanted! There is an incredible amount of history, some in the far past but much in our recent history, that is incredible to have in one place. The memoir elements were well written and compelling. It framed the whole manifesto - the history, the theory, the art - really wonderfully, giving insight on the author but also showing the impact of the history and the art.

[Kate Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Harper Books for the advance review copy of The Big Reveal by Sasha Velour. I am a huge fan of drag so when I saw that Sasha Velour wrote a book I was immediately like omg I need this in my life as soon as possible! I emailed Harper Books asking for a review copy a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised when it came in the mail this week!

The copy I read was printed in black and white so I will definitely still be picking up a finished copy after it’s published next month so I can fully enjoy all of the art and photos printed in color.

I really enjoyed the book. It’s a good blend of Sasha’s life, her time on drag race, career overall, and the history of drag. Fans of Sasha, Drag Race, and drag in general should absolutely pick it up! Others who might want to learn more about drag should as well!

I live in the United States and there is so much false and harmful information out there about drag right now. Public drag performances have recently been banned in a few states. It’s so important to have books like this coming out and being available to the public on bookstore shelves and in libraries.

[Nadja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Sasha's since I binge-watched all of Drag Race in April 2020. Of course I longed for more Drag Race stories, but I learned a lot about the history of drag and many inspiring queer people.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Sasha Velour in Philadelphia, and she autographed my copy! The only thing that could’ve improved The Big Reveal is if my friend and I read our copies together in bed on a lazy weekend morning.

“I love costumes that strike you from the second you see them—graphic, bold. I imagine seeing myself very small from a distance and ask myself if it’s still legible, an old comic book artist’s trick. A good design can grab focus at any scale, in any setting.”

“I love art that has sincerity, camp, sarcasm, and disaster all mixed into one. Perhaps it’s impossible to evaluate good or successful art in the traditional sense because these things are so subjective. I wonder if it would be better to evaluate how transformative a piece of art is. We could ask, taking a queue from Tolstoy, how much the art has united us together in appreciation of the timeless—joy, shame, rebellion, love—or pointed us toward a better understanding, a clearer vision of our world and perhaps a design for the next.”

This book made me wish I had more time with my Grandma Audy, one of the only family members to support my gender expression as a child.

“I’d be nowhere without my inspirations, without the people who give me context.” Sasha is one of my inspirations. 🙈

[Sarah Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sasha Velour has been one of my fav drag entertainers since her winning season of Drag Race. And I think it's because Sasha knows the history of drag goes beyond one show and its franchises.

And that's why this book is so vital right now.

Drag, like gender identity, has been around FOREVER and (shocker /s) has also been persecuted for that same amount of time.

Sasha manages to tell her own story and relate it to the rich tapestry of drag as an art form. It's beautiful, it's funny, it's informational and just everything I've come to expect from Sasha.

[That One Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part memoir, part manifesto, part drag history, this was a really well written and thought out book that fits with Sasha’s impeccable level of detail in her drag persona.

Having been a fan of hers since she first graced Rupauls Drag Race i was excited to learn more about Sasha’s journey. Though, what I loved even more when reading this was how clear it was the reverence and love Sasha has for the history of drag and queer art.

I would have loved even more depth around her own life, but thought overall this book worked super well. A lot of fun, and of course visually stunning too.

[Tres Trece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Te amo Sasha Velour

[Siona Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part memoir part queer history part drag thesis lol, how very Sasha Velour. This book was a fun read and gave some insight into Velour’s mind. I was not the biggest fan of hers on drag race but I have grown to really appreciate her since her win, and I think she is super eloquent and would love to have a conversation with her

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

sasha is always right sorry

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was super fabulous, a sort of combo of drag history, exploration of drag and queer culture, and memoir. This was both educational and fun, well narrated by Sasha herself.

There were bits that veered off into personal streams of consciousness that weren’t necessarily bad, but I did find that the history and culture pieces of this were what really made this shine.

I do recommend! 4.5 stars

[Read Harder Challenge 2024: prompt #18 read a book about queer or drag artistry]

[Richard Inman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Self express and be you - the flawed human you are. Absolutely gorgeous book from a drag legend. Thank you Sasha!

[Lazare · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true gem that educates, entertains, and empowers.

[Genevieve Shapiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the combination Pizza Hut/Taco Bell of books — a memoir/manifesto/drag history/art project. As SUCH an ambitious project (a quilt with different scraps, as Sasha alludes to at the end), it’s not a surprise there were sections/passages I enjoyed, while others were a slog. It’s lovely to read a queer memoir with such a supportive family, and I enjoyed the quippy writing (ex, “But it was still disappointing to think that the origin of theater was just a man monologuing to himself about incest.”)

Unfortunately, the drag history felt like a rushed overview, made even more confusing by the non-linear presentation. The lack of cited sources seriously bothered me! I took off half a star for this. Although not technically a history book, it contains plenty of historical analysis, and it was difficult to take any of the historical sections seriously as a result.

As a final note, I’d be so curious to try whatever kugel recipe Sasha makes because I’ve never once considered it to be the “Jewish quesadilla,” lol.

2.5 stars, rounded up.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to hold this book close forever, as a textbook or tarot deck (as she suggests at end). A beautifully woven memoir, historical text and meditation on queer theory. I learned so much during this book about our queer ancestors, the stories we tell ourselves, and ways we must work toward collective liberation for all in our queer and trans community.

And I live for a Jewish drag queen who appreciates a Talmudic debate as much as I do :) Sasha is truly brilliant, and I feel lucky to have received a small piece of her wisdom.

[Jamie Razler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book touching, inspiring, and informative. A gay coming of age/finding yourself/lifing memoir is everything ok….. I loved the stories of early drag shows, art exhibitions, Sasha’s influences and inspirations, and how it was all woven together with a beautiful metaphor about their mother’s quilt making hobby. And I really enjoyed learning about queer and drag history too; especially because a lot of the people who Sasha mentions aren’t remembered very well today. 4 stars because the non-chronological order of the book (the memoir piece at least) is not my cup of tea, and because, while I appreciated Sasha highlighting ~so many~ people in queer history, I think a few lines about lots of people (vs. more in depth descriptions/stories about fewer people) made them easy to forget.

[Sarah Knope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was beautiful. Remarkable writing, history, art, and life story.

[jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come! Probably

[peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

went into this blind. expected a memoir, but was not surprised in the least once i realized she was weaving sections of queer history between the story of her drag journey. loved the graphic illustrations that started and ended the book, as well as all the visual aids throughout. also, leave it to sasha velour to have a "favorite vaudeville star" from the 1910s lol.

[Ashley Daviau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sasha Velour and I loved The Big Reveal! My only minor complaint is that I wanted a little more fashion and photos but this really was such a great trip into Sasha’s delightfully twisted brain.

[ella schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

i might be biased bc i'd die for her but this was honestly the perfect blend of autobiography and history. excellently written and has a great balance of seriousness on certain topics and a laid-back energy on others.

[Maria Panaccione · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reads like an academic paper meshed in with memoir and theory in a stream of consciousness style. I found this style kind of annoying and maybe I just wasn’t interested in the history lessons. But I can say that I learned a lot (thanks, Sasha!). Other than that, the memoir parts are well done and the art is a treat (wish there was more). Bumping up to 4 stars for the heart that this book has. I love learning about the inner world of artists. I’m glad this book exists.

[Renaissance Alexandre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than Bad Gays in its detailing of what could be called queer history. However I always have a problem with the lack of real definitions people give academic things in their book even for the sake of understanding something within the confines of their own book. Not a melodramatic definition but a real framework of understanding. The mix of memoir and history was interesting but honestly I think Sasha could have competently written 2 books instead of mushing 2 books to become one. With that being said Sasha is one of the best queens and winners to come from That show and I’m glad to see her bouncing back and having great projects.

[Anastasija Ivanova · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

1- having a physical/colored version of this book is key ! a black and white kindle screen doesn’t do justice to the beautiful pictures in the book

2- i enjoyed the book, but it left me wanting more. i wanted a better understanding of sasha as a person, i don’t feel like we got access to their thoughts/experiences that much. it was heavily based on the history of drag (which is still interesting, just not what i was looking for in a memoir)

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, thoughtful and important work from a lovely human. Sasha’s writing is engaging and she skillfully weaves drag history with her own story. The photos and cartoons enrich the whole experience.

[Chloe (BrunetteBibliophile) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an audiobook from Libro.FM’s ALC program in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Content warnings for death of a parent, homophobia, illness. I recommend seeking a full list of content warnings before deciding to read this book.

I had no idea that Sasha Velour was releasing a book, but I was so glad to find out as she was the one to win RuPaul’s Drag Race the first season I began watching it. I believe that she is one of the most influential queens to win in recent years.

This book is a combination of a history of drag and a memoir. I think there is a good blend of drag history and the life of Sasha Velour that keeps it interesting. I listened to the audiobook and found it so easy to listen to this throughout my day. You can tell that a lot of research went into the history aspects of the book and I learned so much. I enjoyed this book and am giving it 4 stars.

I also would like to say something I always say with memoirs and that is that you have no idea what someone, especially a celebrity, is going through. I feel like I always have some level of surprise from reading memoirs and this one was no different.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a known Sasha Velour "stan" I liked her before drag race and I like her now, I will literally buy and eat up anything she puts out (I own a setlist playbook from a tour she put on that never even came to the south).

Despite my bias, this book is absolutely stunning, and so incredibly crafted. This IS a manifesto of drag, Sasha declares drag how she sees it, and hopes to see it in the future. But, its also a history book, one that hopes to shed light on the origins of drag, and piece together the mythology of drag as its existed throughout history.

The Big Reveal is also a memoir, its about Sasha as a person just as much as its about her drag. This manifesto is about how drag has formed in our world, and how drag has been formed in Sasha's own world.

I laughed, I felt emotional, and I felt like I learned things that would never be in a textbook, if anything this felt like a textbook as much as it was a love letter.

[Samkip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautiful and earnest that it made me feel like I've completely wasted my life being human garbage. No notes. Five stars.

In all seriousness, you can feel Sasha's love and respect for all of the people who paved the way to modern gender expression on every single page of this book. In between histories on the origin and evolution of drag, Sasha recounts their own life and the wonderfully supportive family who backed them through each step of their journey. From putting on a backyard production of Dracula at six-years-old, to going to school for cartooning, to giving some of the most stunning performances I've ever seen, Sasha's life has been a tribute to art and community. It was a real treat to be welcomed into their world, and I can't wait to see what they do next.

Bonus points for the audiobook, which Sasha narrates. That was such a soothing seven hours.

[Dustin Spencer-L'Heureux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Sasha and their art on RuPauls Drag Race. I have followed the career since and was ecstatic to get my hands on this book.
One of my biggest takeaways from this was just how important and influential the history of the LGBTQ+ community is and how it shaped Sasha. I have found learning the history important and Sasha does a beautiful job of tying the history into their life and art.
The art is fantastic, I loved all the photos of Sasha but also the pieces of history preserved in photographs, flyers, etc.
This book is essential for people if they wish understand the queer community and its history but also to learn more about Sasha and how their art is influenced by the history and how it can be used as activism.

[Natàlia7 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro es Sasha Velour en estado puro. Me ha encantado poder conocer mucho más a Sasha, su persona, origenes, arte, Drag y todo lo que hay detrás. También me ha gustado mucho el que recurra a hechos históricos y vaya relacionando su arte y persona con el Drag (y cultura queer) más primitivo hasta nuestra actualidad. De la misma manera el hecho de hablar directamente sobre arte, historia y filosofia me parece maravilloso. Oh, Sasha, the Dragqueen and artist that you are! 🌹

La única pega es que hay capítulos que se hacen algo pesados, pero aun así, lo recomiendo.

PD: La edición de este libro es magnífica.