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moonyreadsbystarlight's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
4.0
This was a quick, mostly fun read. She discusses so much about her experience with drag and within the drag community (including her time on RuPaul's Drag Race and interactions with queens who had been on the show after leaving). There is so much messiness that she is open about (not just talking about others, but a lot about herself). There are some of tough experiences that she discusses, including hate crimes, abuse, and alcoholism/addiction - but she manages to give some details without it being a super heavy book.
This is very much written in Alaska's voice, which I really enjoyed but if you aren't already a fan (or if you come in expecting more traditional writing style), it could be off-putting. I'm not sure I would have been as into it if I wasn't already interested in her to begin with. There are definitely technical critiques I could give or details I could say that I wanted, but at the end of it, I did read most of it in a sitting and had a fun time doing it, which is why it ended up with a higher rating. I would mainly recommend this to folks who are already interested in Alaska or popular drag queens more broadly.
Other notable CWs are for slurs including the f-slur used in full and a couple that are mentioned but not typed in full as well as racism. In particular, she talks about Sharon Needles' racist depictions in drag and use of the n-word.
This is very much written in Alaska's voice, which I really enjoyed but if you aren't already a fan (or if you come in expecting more traditional writing style), it could be off-putting. I'm not sure I would have been as into it if I wasn't already interested in her to begin with. There are definitely technical critiques I could give or details I could say that I wanted, but at the end of it, I did read most of it in a sitting and had a fun time doing it, which is why it ended up with a higher rating. I would mainly recommend this to folks who are already interested in Alaska or popular drag queens more broadly.
Other notable CWs are for slurs including the f-slur used in full and a couple that are mentioned but not typed in full as well as racism. In particular, she talks about Sharon Needles' racist depictions in drag and use of the n-word.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Addiction, and Hate crime
Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Minor: Vomit
F-slur is usedthisblondeisbooked's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
georgia_sara93's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
ivyrequiem's review against another edition
3.0
It was really interesting to read about Alaska's, one of my favorite queens, life in the industry and her journey from poverty to fame and all the bumps on the way! I was surprised by many of the things in the book, I had no idea how dark her life really was in many ways...
I felt that this book, though, was a little too fast-paced, like there were many details missing that I would've liked to read more about. But I liked it! Even though it was very dark. (I love that she dedicated a whole chapter to Lady Gaga <3)
I felt that this book, though, was a little too fast-paced, like there were many details missing that I would've liked to read more about. But I liked it! Even though it was very dark. (I love that she dedicated a whole chapter to Lady Gaga <3)
emmapaigereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
5.0
I wasn’t Alaska’s biggest fan while watching her on Drag Race, and I’ve come to realize it’s because Drag Race doesn’t showcase everything that makes her incredible. Her creativity and generosity are unmatched, and if anyone takes over being the undisputed queen of drag after RuPaul, it should be Alaska. No one loves all forms of drag and all people as much as Alaska. No one has a passion for drag like Alaska.
kt2e56's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
First of all…definitely make sure you do the audiobook. Alaska’s impressions and asides are all genius. I want her to read classic literature to me now. There are parts of these I loved (Alaska’s honesty about her substance abuse and toxic relationship and her own insecurities about herself and her relationship to fame) but it does sort of lose steam towards the end. I feel like big chunks of her story are missing and I would love to learn more. I also don’t need a Drag Race tell-all or anything and wouldn’t want her to be shady or gossipy but would have LOVED to hear more *fun* backstage stories and about the sisterhood that she found amongst the Drag Race girls. This was definitely delightful though and I’d happily read (or listen to) more stories if she wants to publish them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Hate crime, and Transphobia
Minor: Vomit
lannnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaa's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0