A review by badger
Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States by Samantha Allen

emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

borrowed this audiobook from my library on an absolute whim, and even despite the topic i did not expect to be quite as touched and inspired as i was. samantha allen’s writing is addictive and mesmerising, and my experience of the book was enriched further by her great narration. there were no dips in the pace of this book - it masterfully wove together the two narrative strings; samantha’s own life, transition, and touching love story with her wife, and her journey through red states across the US, meeting with a range of diverse queer people across some of the most socially conservative parts of the country. 

whilst almost seven years out of date now from time of writing, this book - written during trump’s first presidential term  - feels more relevant and urgent than ever as we approach his second.

an absolute go-to recommendation now to anyone interested in queer stories and american politics - or just great storytelling.