A review by atariakana
The House of Impossible Beauties by Joseph Cassara

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is an incredibly compelling, wonderful book. I know the tags and content warnings can make it seem really dark, but there is a lot of light and life in these characters, and they have a lot of fun. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. Absolutely worth a look for anyone who is interested in learning a little about the history and culture of drag and/or is looking for a rich (if not exactly lighthearted) lgbtq-focused story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction and Drug abuse

Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Transphobia, and Homophobia

Minor: Sexual violence

The book is set in the 1980s and there is homophobia and transphobia typical for the time, although none from/between the main characters.

More than one character dies of AIDS-related complications. One character is assumed to have been strangled to death while performing sex work.