Freak Show

by James St. James
Freak Show cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Young Adult (YA)
Technical
  • ID: 1762
  • Added: 2025-10-09
  • Updated: 2025-10-09
  • Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
  • Published: 2007-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

Inspired by the author's own experiences, 'Freak Show' is a daring and colorful novel that explores themes of identity and self-expression. The story follows a young drag queen as he navigates the challenges of fitting in at a conservative high school, making a splash with his unique style and confidence. /n/nThis novel is not just a coming-of-age story but also a celebration of individuality and the power of being true to oneself. It promises to be a captivating read for young adults and anyone who appreciates stories of resilience and authenticity.

Reviews
Amazon · 2025-10-09
entertaining 4.00

The book's conversational voice and naughty humor make it a relatable and entertaining read. The protagonist's exuberance and celebrity put-downs add to the book's charm.

Readers will find the book's conversational voice and naughty humor to be particularly engaging. The reviewer appreciates the protagonist's unabashed exuberance and the witty celebrity put-downs scattered throughout the narrative. This combination makes the book a relatable and entertaining read, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of humor and a lot of personality. The reviewer highlights the book's ability to keep readers engaged with its lively and humorous tone.

Quick quotes

    Readers will relish his conversational voice, naughty humor, celebrity put-downs, unabashed exuberance, and ALL CAPS expletives.

    The book's conversational voice and naughty humor make it a relatable and entertaining read.

    The protagonist's exuberance and the witty celebrity put-downs scattered throughout the narrative.

Geoff Whaley · 2018-12-24
enjoyable 4.50

The book's unique writing style and flamboyant characters took some getting used to, but ultimately, it was thoroughly enjoyable. The reviewer appreciated the vibrant and exuberant narrative.

At first, the reviewer found the writing style and the flamboyance of the characters a bit challenging to get into. However, once they became accustomed to the book's unique voice, they found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable read. The reviewer highlights the vibrant and exuberant narrative as a standout feature, making the book a delightful and engaging experience. The story's energy and the protagonist's unapologetic personality are what truly shine through.

Quick quotes

    And even though it took a while for me to get used to the writing, the characters, and the flamboyancy, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

    The story's energy and the protagonist's unapologetic personality are what truly shine through.

    The reviewer highlights the vibrant and exuberant narrative as a standout feature.

The Book Smugglers · 2010-08-10
revealing 4.00

The book confronts tough issues with raw honesty, highlighting the struggles of the protagonist. The narrative is both revealing and impactful, capturing the essence of teenage angst and societal pressures.

This book doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of growing up different in a conservative environment. The reviewer found the moments of ugliness in the story to be particularly revealing, showcasing the protagonist's resilience and the harshness of their surroundings. The narrative is raw and unfiltered, making it a powerful read that resonates with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. The reviewer appreciates the book's honesty and the way it portrays the complexities of teenage life.

Quick quotes

    There were quite a few moments of ugliness in this book that were so, so revealing as well.

    Billy goes through a lot of shit and the worst thing is that it feels so real.

    The narrative is raw and unfiltered, making it a powerful read that resonates with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.

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