Comments on: Review: Beauty Queens

By: Libba Bray’s Comic Novel for Teenagers, ‘Beauty Queens’ « One-Minute Book Reviews

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 01:08:43 +0000

[...] Learn more about Beauty Queens or buy a copy from an independent bookstore in the author’s city. [...]

By: Liz B

Liz B — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 01:19:08 +0000

Brandy, it’s that same hightened reality/absurdity of Arrested Development. Let me know if you agree. Or have another idea of what its like.

Pat, my review could have gone on twice as long, covering all that Bray managed to include (and include well) in this book.

Danielll, I haven’t read Z v U — it’s packed in a box so after I finish my move, I’ll dig it out and read it.

Paul, not yet — now that the hecticness of ALA is over, I’ll downlaod it.

Michelle, I can see how it can be overwhelming, how much is going on. I usually am hesitant about authors reading their own works (I’ve heard some really bad readings that ruined the book) but this is one where I think it’s going to be fabulosity.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:51:17 +0000

I struggled with this one in print. I started it just prior to BEA and then wasn’t able to pick it back up. It felt way too manic for me. On the recommendation of a trusted blogger friend I picked it up on audio and it improved considerably. I still didn’t love it as much as you did (the last two hours seemed to drag on, & it felt a bit repetative at times) but having listened to Bray’s audio rendition definitely made it a good read overall. The production was fantastic and the personality was off the charts. She’s got humor and wit to spare!

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 05:53:33 +0000

Liz – Have you gotten ahold of the audio yet? Libba is also, as it turns out, the Meryl Streep of the audiobook world. With the accents.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 23:23:02 +0000

Great to read your review, though I’m way down the library request queue for this hot potato I just read my first Libba Bray story in the anthology ‘Zombies vs unicorns’ (which I loved), and it was one of my favourites there… she managed to create really likeable, recognisable characters in a not-so-happy situation; ‘Prom night’ was creepy and touching, without being over-the-top graphic. No mean feat for a zombie story! It definitely struck me as one of the strongest stories in a great anthology. She looks to have a real flair for funny dialogue that really gives a good sense of character, too.

By: Pat Zietlow Miller

Pat Zietlow Miller — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 18:54:32 +0000

I read this and was blown away by all that it takes on — and handles — successfully. I’m not sure anyone else could have pulled this off as well.

I mean, it covers gender roles, race, politics, consumerism, transgenderism, homosexuality, body image and other serious issues, and it’s all hilarious with lots of fun poked at boy bands, feminine hygiene products and more.

The footnotes rock and are spot on!

By: Brandy

Brandy — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:23:44 +0000

I was sort of on the fence about whether or not I wanted to read this but you have convinced me that yes I do and rather soon. Just with the “multiplied by Arrested Development”. That was all it took.

By: Liz B

Liz B — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:47:56 +0000

Adrienne, one thing I really liked about how Bray did this is that it was satire and respect — it could have been so easy to go for the “easy” target of a bunch of “pretty airheads.” But she twisted that, and (without giving anything away) showed the depth of each girl, in a unique way, but not in cookie cutter ways. And didn’t dismiss people liking and enjoying fashion ans such.

Meredith, I think I’ll track down the audio, I look forward to a daily dose of Beauty Queens.

Melissa, let me know what you think after you read it!

By: Melissa (Book Nut)

Melissa (Book Nut) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:46:41 +0000

WANT to read this book; someday, eventually, it’ll happen. I discovered that I liked Bray’s writing with Going Bovine; I figure if this is in any way as awesome as that was, I’m in for a treat. (And it’s been getting nothing but good buzz….)

By: Meredith

Meredith — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:38:30 +0000

I definitely agree with your point about Beauty Queens being best over the course of several days. It’s kind of a lot to take in at once, both in terms of Bray’s humor and writing style and in terms of the many characters and story lines she includes. I think I enjoyed this book more because I got to savor it and really appreciate the subtly of the satire.