Freak Show

Billy Bloom may just be the most frustrating character in the history of LGBT/YA novels.And yet, how could I not love him?Billy is rich and oblivious. And extremely nelly. And a drag queen. At seventeen. Having been suddenly shipped to southern Florida by his crazy mother to stay with his grouchy, disapproving father in the family’s ancestral mansion, Billy suddenly finds himself in a snooty private school full of blond conformists and jocks.Not the least of whom is Flip Kelly. Football star. Blond, blue-eyed. The whole nine yards.But this arch, funny, harrowing and ultimately moving novel is really not about a gay teenager into extreme drag; it’s about agency. James St. James (irritating, assuredly fake name, but OK, I’ll just take a deep breath) has taken a standard LGBT/YA story about a sissy boy falling for a big gentle jock and turned it inside out.Billy is clueless, but he’s also fierce.He is narcissistic but also kind. He is so oblivious he refers to the one girl in school who’s nice to him as Blah Blah Blah, until he finally learns her name: This is simply one step in Billy’s gradual apotheosis into self-awareness.“The choice is yours.”There is violence and teenage meanness of the worst sort in this book. But, as in other YA books, there is redemption and the genuine love of a few good people who literally save Billy’s life. But, in the end, it is Billy who takes charge of his own destiny. “These moments are going to keep coming, and it’s how you react to them that defines you.”“But God,” I asked, trembling, “how do I bring reason to the anger and chaos, when its reasons are hidden from me?” And God said: “You forgive.”Inside the chaotic silliness that is Billy Bloom’s world, there is a powerful soul. It is about survival, not just to survive, but to make the world better with your own insane courage.Really pretty remarkable.

Freak Show is quite simply one of the most charming books about teenage life available on the market today. After the glitter blood bath that was Party Monster I found myself hungering for more of St James's writings and was surprised to discover that his only other published work to date was a book for teens. Somewhat dubious about his ability to write for a younger audience I plunged head first into the fray and discovered much to my delight that not only can he write a book aimed at high schoolers but that he can also manage to keep it interesting as well.Billy Bloom essentially functions as a younger version of James who also experienced growing up in rural America as a queer teen. After moving out into the boonies of Florida to be with his dad after his pill popping alcoholic mother has a bout of what I can only describe as jealousy at discovering her teenage son looks better in her Louboutins than she does. Needless to say the move doesn't come easy for anyone - after a brief stint at trying and failing miserably to behave like all the rest of the kids Billy finally comes to the conclusion that to be himself as outrageously as possible is the only way he can live life to the fullest that leads to near deadly consequences.Equal parts serious social commentary and laugh out loud outrageous antics Freak Show manages to touch upon all the important issues facing teens today about social acceptance and the long term effects of bulling without being boring. The writing is absolutely witty and moves along at silver bullet type speed levels. Oh and have I mentioned St James's ability to reach deep into the depths of anyone's gawky teenage past and expose the most painfully forgotten parts? One scene where a poor geeky girl is called upon to design a float that ends up being decorated with colored pencil flyers and beanie babies arranged in a heart shape made me laugh out loud till I though my sides would split since it was something, quite sadly, out a page of my own collective high school past.So what are you still sitting there for? Go out and read this now. Shoo!

I loved this book!But I gotta say, not from the beginning. At first I hated the way it was written, and considered taking it off my list (of books, I have to read - in order), but then I looked at some pages further into the novel, and I just wanted to read it. And suddenly I couldn't put it down! I started liking Billy, and I really liked BlahBlahBlah, and thought it was amazing to just not really give a character a name, or at least not right away.The story has deffinitely changed me, and I feel proud, when I read it. And the way the people treat Billy in most of the book, hurt me to read. Especially because us non-straight-people have it so easy in Denmark compared to that anyway!Since I finished the book, I began with another one, and I only read two pages. Cuz it's just not the same, it's not FREAK SHOW! So I think it will take a while for me to enjoy other books.I deffinitely need to read other of James st. James's books, cuz he knows how to tell a good story and make it seem real. I cried several times, while reading, but at the end, I couldn't, and I hated that, cuz I really wanted to cry. First because of the ending, which was very touching, and second, because it was over.

I got this book last week, read it in a dayand have since re-read it like three more timesthis book is so fun, and keeps your attentionI was literally roflmaounlike other books I've read lately (ahem. breaking dawn.)when you get to the happily ever after you put the book down feeling all warm and fuzzy knowingthe heroine deserved it, because she didn't get her way exactly, not perfectly.in the end, she doesn't get everything she wantsbut does get the one thing that mattered the mostand that's Flip. everything else (prom queen, gay rights at school..etc.) was all sparked by Billy's love for Flipso it's fitting that he doesn't get everything that he worked to get because of Flipbut in return for the loss, got Flip like he wanted all along

Being familiar with JSJ in his current form makes reading this silly and slightly uncomfortable. It is a fun read though, full of triumph over the status quo. Also, being that JSJ put happenings from his IRL life made this novel all the more satisfying.

Advertised as Hard-coverWas not hard covered.

James St James is a pretty well known figure now, as in mainstream terms, often making an appearance on programmes dealing with fashion, clubs or celebrity in general. Ironically his book 'Disco Bloodbath', which chronicled the fall of Michael Alig and the 'Club Kids', was the main reason for him becoming a known figure as himself, not just Alig's sidekick. The bitchy wit and snidey repartee was presented to the world, not just a select few who happened to make the guest list at Disco 2000. In short it was a good book, an interesting story brought to life through St. James' prose. There were hints in that book that he was writing a novel and years later it is finally here.Freak Show is written in the same style as Disco Bloodbath, full of queeny, bitchy humour and put down wit. The style can become a little grating, I've never seen a book with as many words in capitals and exclamation marks. Basically a coming of age book, but the twist is it's a drag queen coming of age. I suspect it's partly autobiographical, the hero, Billy, is rather similar to James, kind of how he would have liked his teen life to have been, tragic with a triumphant finale. It's very easy to read and perfect for when you want something light with humour. 4 stars is a bit generous but then 3 seemed mean, 6.5 out of 10 would be fair. If you get a chance to scan the book before buying you will know from the style, within a few lines whether or not you find it irritating. If you're not put off then you'll most likely find it an enjoyable read. Hope they make it into a film.

It took me a while to get into this book, just because of the style, which is basically a queenish young man who love to dress in outrageous clothes, talking to you as though he was sitting infront of you, hands failing about and jumping up and down in his seat.I did find that throughout this book I loved and hated the main character, but this made it all the more real, as you cant always like someone and it shows that St James has made a charater three dimentional, which is what we all want, isnt it?I would recommend this book to anyone who reads the decription (or from the US site) and likes it. Dont quibble, just do it, and give it about 30 pages, and you'll not want to put it down! I do admit it took about that for me to get into it, but after that I read the remainer in a matter of hours.Excellent book!

I love his writing style and the story. Essentially a teen romance with a twist and some teenage angst but its just as appealing for adults, I couldn't put it down. With lots glitter and drag thrown in it's just a fabulous read! I want the next installment! Please write some more James St James!