Customer Reviews

Kings and Queens: Queers at the Prom

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a fantastic book. Its design and concept are extraordinary. I'm a little disappointed with the content, though. The first person accounts of each contributor's prom is a perfect place to begin, but I was hoping that Boyers would go somewhere with the information. The introduction seems to merely skim the surface of prom's history and a little bit of gay history, rather than go into the real implications of what purpose prom serves in American society (on the back cover, it's a "rite of passage"--more on that, maybe?), and how that affects queers nationwide. I guess I was hoping that he'd make some claims. But obviously this is not the type of book he wanted to create. Maybe the next one....?

Such an interesting read and such a gorgeous book. All in all, so fresh and so well done. This will become a must-have.

I've read David Boyer's pieces off and on in the New York Times over the past years and always found them very clever. Smart, slice-of-life pieces about the city that end up saying something more about society, the world etc.

But he really shines here. The stories here are all very much true, as told to Boyer by over twenty interviewees. But it's also a very "creative" piece of writing. Boyer includes old style guides from magazines, lots of photos, and other miscellany to bring the story of proms to life.

HIghly recommended.

A great primer for contemporary gay history via Americana. This book is a lovely balance of the frivilious and serious. It's perfectly political without being preachy and it's totally fun. After wiping away tears of embarassment (those outfits!), you walk away empowered that somehow you survived the ordeal youself - whatever your sexuality or popularity in high school.