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Rating: 
Summary: The Truth and Nothing But the Truth
Review: Charles Busch is the author and original star of Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, and this, his first novel, is basically the fictionalized account of the creation of that play. And it's not exaggerated at all, really, I mean it, really! Theatre people never exaggerate, right? It holds up--amusing for anyone who's ever worked in the theatre or has had anything to do with performance artists and/or drag queens. Memorable, outrageous but completely-believable characters (once you buy into the narrator's POV). Kind of an artistic thriller--will the show go on? Who's sleeping with whom? And why? Whose persona will Julian Young adopt next? Quite fun. I hesitate to label this as "summer reading," but I'd bring it to the beach and let the passers-by wonder what I was laughing at...
Rating: 
Summary: Great Fun For Everyone!
Review: Charles Busch's roman a'clef novel is great, great fun. A theatrical backstage romp, similar in style to Armistead Maupin's "Tales Of The City" series. Though not as much fun as seeing one of Busch's incomperable live performances (He is a truely brilliant comic actor, one of the most skilled I've ever seen!) it is still a joy from begining to end, and surprisingly touching as well. You can't spend time better than in the company of Mr. Busch. I'm buying extra copies to give to my friends, becuse I'm sick of loaning out mine!
Rating: 
Summary: Busch a better playright than novelist
Review: Don't get me wrong--this was a fun read from start to finish--but it was obviously barely-disguised biography and not nearly as entertaining as its situations would suggest. One reader compares this to "Blue Heaven," and yes, the tone is similar, but the accomplishment is much, much smaller. It's a fun read, a light read, but not a brilliantly-written read (whereas "Blue Heaven" makes one want to read out each sentence, the prose is so good), and the engaging plot is also not nearly as wire-tight as Keenan's. I hope for future books from Mr. Busch, though--now that he's got his autobiography out of his system, we can see what he accomplishes with his imagination set on full tilt. Note: a 3 star ranking from me is actually pretty good; I reserve 4 stars for tremendously good works, and 5 only for the rare few that are or ought to be classic; unfortunately most books published are 2 or less.
Rating:
Summary: The perfect summer read. Loved it!
Review: For anyone who loved the Joe Keenan 'Blue Heaven' books, this should be a good substitute, with the perfect cast of eccentrics, the requisite bizarre plot twists and some great one liners. It made me want to up sticks and become an impoverished artist on the East Side. It's an easy read, and there are some points where it's hard to believe the characters could be quite so naive, but on the whole very enjoyable and a welcome re-issue. Let's hope Penguin re-print his other work too!
Rating:
Summary: The Makings of a Great Movie!
Review: I absolutely loved this book! Why someone hasn't optioned this book for a movie (a la Coen brothers?!?) I don't know! Ihaven't had that much fun reading a book in a long time. I am currently studying intolerance in literature (i.e., how literature may or may not influence how a reader perceives certain aspects of society, such as race, religion, gender and sexual identity) and I was able to use this book as an example of how far mainstream writing has come in portraying the lives and loves of gays in a positive light. I recommend this book on two fronts - for those who want an insiders view of the theater (especially drag and advant garde theater) and for anybody who wants to meet (in literature, anyway) a gay man who is funny, bright, resourceful, and caring, especially to his friends. I had the best time reading this book, and I was truly sorry to see it end.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Funniest Books I've Read
Review: I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to have a good time. It is obviously based on Busch's own life, but that is what makes it so funny. He is one of the funniest, most gifted playwrites aound and his talent translates easily to the novel. I wanted this book to keep going. I still haven't found anything as hilarious since this was published.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Funniest Books I've Read
Review: I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to have a good time. It is obviously based on Busch's own life, but that is what makes it so funny. He is one of the funniest, most gifted playwrites aound and his talent translates easily to the novel. I wanted this book to keep going. I still haven't found anything as hilarious since this was published.
Rating:
Summary: One of the three funniest novels that I ever read.
Review: I ordinarily do not read humorous novels more than once. The only exceptions would be _A Confederacy of Dunces_ By John Kennedy Toole and _The Big U_ by Neale Stephenson. I would not hesitate to put this book in that class.
I get a sense here that Busch must have indeed "written what he knew" because it just comes across as so fresh and uncontrived. These are real people, in a real madcap Village world. You actually end up CARING about them, which is rare for a modern novel.
Yes, I consider this book to be a "guilty pleasure", but that's because I grew up wanting to be an artist and a bohemian- and ended up an engineer in suburbia. At least in this book I can vicariously live an interesting and creative life around interesting and creative people....
Rating:
Summary: Oviously an underappreciated book.
Review: Why else would there only be two other customer reviews? The characters are marvelous - eccentric and silly and painfully naive, but genuine. Julian's point of view gives the whole story the rhythm of a vintage 1940's romantic comedy. Throw a few twists into the plot, and we feel like we're watching one of his plays. I enjoyed every word. I hope to see Mr. Busch get the more widespread attention he deserves.
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