Boy Queen – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★★ (5 / 5 stars)

Robin’s life was going as he planned: his audition to the school of his dreams went spectacularly, he has an adorable secret boyfriend, an understanding mother, and some of the best friends in the world! But, with one rejection letter, his life comes crashing down. Now he has no plan for his future…until he is drawn into the world of drag. But, is his new passion consuming him to the point where he might lose everything else he has…or is it a step into a future career?

I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. Part of this might be a very personal reason: my primary media consumption throughout 2020 has been RuPaul’s Drag Race. But knowing that Drag Race barely scratches the surface, I wanted to learn more. I’ve watched Dragula, countless videos and Youtube, and have slowly formed admiration for drag artists around the world. When @andhisnosestuckinabook posted about this book on his social media, I had to check it out!

I’m so glad I did! George Lester (or THAT GURRRL) has clearly written this book from the heart. Itis not just a story about a boy becoming a queen, but also a coming of age tale that highlights rejection, friendship, toxic relationship, and the artistry behind drag. Robin’s journey of falling head first into drag highlights how much television only scratches the surface of the drag experience. It’s about hard work, relationships, and confidence. Robin has to learn that too – not just in being a Drag Queen, but also in maintain the relationships he values the most.

If you are not familiar with Drag Queens in any sense, then this book might be a bit hard to get into: it mentions well known Drag Queens like Trixie Mattel, as well as various “RuPaulisms” that might not be as wide spread. In addition, having a basic idea of what Drag Queens do (lip syncs, reveals, etc) will help in visualizing Robin’s journey.

But for me? I loved it. I couldn’t put this book down, and I think this is a great story showing a young man discovering his true queen.

So definitely check this book out! Because remember…”Reading is fundamental.”

What’s it about?

Life’s a drag until you try . . .

Robin Cooper’s life is falling apart.

While his friends prepare to head off to university, Robin is looking at a pile of rejection letters from drama schools up and down the country, and facing a future without the people he loves the most. Everything seems like it’s ending, and Robin is scrabbling to find his feet.

Unsure about what to do next and whether he has the talent to follow his dreams, he and his best friends go and drown their sorrows at a local drag show, where Robin realises there might be a different, more sequinned path for him . . .

With a mother who won’t stop talking, a boyfriend who won’t acknowledge him and a best friend who is dying to cover him in glitter make up, there’s only one thing for Robin to do: bring it to the runway.

Boy Queen by George Lester is a sparkling debut full of big hair, big heels and even bigger hearts