Freak Show

He’s partied with everyone from Andy Warhol to Joey Ramone. James St. James—infamous club kid, fashion maven, ex-sidekick to club promoter (and convicted murderer) Michael Alig, and, finally, author—has at last published a follow-up to Disco Bloodbath, the aptly titled, Freak Show (Dutton Juvenille). Yes, you read that correctly—Dutton Juvenille is releasing a book by a reformed junkie, drag queen, rave-boy. And you’re going to love it. More Judy Blume than murder manifesto, Freak Show gives us a snapshot of protagonist Billy Bloom, an over-the-top, teenage drag queen (or self-described “Gender Obscurist”), living in Florida with his disapproving dad. Quickly catching on that his kind isn’t kosher, Billy goes on a mission to make his Red State high school tormentors accept him in all his glittery glory, by launching a hilarious and touching campaign for prom queen. Along the way, he suffers multiple spitballs, insults, beatings and random indignities at the hands of ultra-conservative jocks and Jesus freaks that make up the majority of the student body.

The other unpopular kids, long used to being invisible, are happy to back his campaign. Oddly enough, so is Flip Kelly, the handsome football hero and undisputed Most Popular Boy. Though you may guess where this is going, you’ll be happy to wait for it to play out.

James’ prose is remarkably innocent and engaging yet gut-splittingly funny. Though this book was intended for teens, it’s a great read for anyone who can relate to the comedy of being different in a homogenized world. Freak Show touches on important youth, social and gender issues, and while it never takes itself too seriously, it does take every opportunity to pump up the camp.

– Spyridon P. Panousopoulos from Gen Art