Freak Show [Hardcover]

James St. James (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 17, 2007

Billy Bloom is gay, but it’s mostly theoretical, as he hasn’t had much experience. When he has to move to Florida, he can’t believe his bad luck. His new school is a mix of Bible Belles, Aberzombies, and Football Heroes, none of which are exactly his type. Billy’s efforts to fit in and stand out at the same time are both hilarious and heartrending. In this novel from adult author and media personality James St. James, readers are in for a wild ride as he tells Billy’s fascinating story of bravado, pain, and unexpected love, inspired by his own experiences.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 9 Up—Teenage drag queen Billy Bloom explodes onto the conservative scene at Eisenhower Academy, where he finds love and a band of blond sadists. St. James tells the oldest story in the book, the one where an outcast seeks the homecoming crown, only this time a queen wants to be Queen. Billy's bold, bawdy narration makes Freak Show not only cohesive but also immensely entertaining. Readers will relish his conversational voice, naughty humor, celebrity put-downs, unabashed exuberance, and ALL CAPS expletives. Beneath the sequins, feathers, and foundation, Billy nurses an ardent desire for acceptance. Teens will quickly identify with his worries and needs, even as he dons lip gloss and a beehive wig. Billy shirks labels (he calls himself a "Gender Obscurist"), and this book also refuses to be defined by sexuality. Yes, Billy falls for another boy, and yes, they do kiss. Teens will find this romance fresh and fun, but they will also enjoy exploring complicated issues of empowerment, bigotry, self-esteem, and fear. Freak Show visits these difficult regions of adolescence with gracious candor and humor. More buoyant than weighty, this book flows as a fast-paced, snarky story of high school horrors. Mature readers will love St. James's playful rendition of a conventional American tale.—Shelley Huntington, New York Public Library
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Review

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

In Billy Bloom, St. James has created an archetypal hero for outsiders and freaks.
-Publishers Weekly, starred review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; First Edition edition (May 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525477993
• ISBN-13: 978-0525477990
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #882,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous in every way, June 3, 2007

By 

Luna Eclipse "Changeling" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freak Show (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed St. James' previous book Disco Bloodbath, so when I saw this lovely little gem in my list of recommendations, I ordered it immediately. I finished it in 2 days flat (would've been sooner, if not for work and sleep and all that jazz.) The exploits of teen drag queen Billy trying to make it in a school full of uptight, straight-laced, super conservative rich brats had me laughing hysterically, groaning audibly, getting angry, even crying...rarely has a book elicited this much of a reaction from me. This story seemed like a mix of Mean Girls, Hairspray, Bruno, and even a little bit Napoleon Dynamite, all told with wit, humor and candor. It also sends a wonderful message about acceptance, not just of other people, but also of oneself. This book should be required reading not only for GLBT kids, but for anyone who has ever felt like they didn't belong (and quite frankly, who hasn't?)

I sincerely hope this becomes a movie. If it does, you better believe I will pull up to the premiere in a giant purple stilleto, decked out in my best SuperFreak costume and proudly waving my scarlet F in the air! EVER UPWARD, O FREAK OF NATURE!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It, June 4, 2007

By 

Queequeg (West Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Freak Show (Hardcover)

Imagine "Disco Bloodbath" without the sex and drugs, and guess what? It's still a blast! This novel is a witty romp through the perilous high school world of one very special 17 year-old boy named Billy Bloom. It even has a happy ending, though not quite the one you might expect. I loved it. Tears, I'm telling you, TEARS WELLED!

Party Monster: A Fabulous But True Tale of Murder in Clubland

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an absolte must-read, July 31, 2007

By 

K. Oconnor (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Freak Show (Hardcover)

whether you're gay, straight, bi, transsexual, transgender, young, old, or a little bit of everything, this book will change the way you think. i loved every minute of it. james st. james really knows how to evoke all kinds of emotions in the readers. i liked it better than party monster.