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A review by leahlovesloslibros
Naturally Tan: A Memoir by Tan France
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Tan France makes up 1/5 of the team as the fashion expert on the new Queer Eye series on Netflix, which I recently fell in love with. In this book, Tan shares his thoughts and experiences on a variety of topics, including growing up gay and South Asian in England, relationships (both platonic and romantic), fame and being in the press/public eye, style/fashion tips, and more.
I listened to the audio book, which is narrated by Tan himself, and I really loved it. I typically try to find memoirs that are read by the author, as I find the experience of listening to them tell their own story to be more personal than hearing it told by someone else. Hearing Tan recall childhood memories, especially painful ones such as being bullied for being brown (his word), are so powerful and heart-wrenching. Coming out was also something that was difficult for him, as there were certain cultural expectations placed on him by his traditional Muslim Pakistani family and culture.
Listening to Tan tell the story of starting and running his own businesses, as well as meeting his husband and the progression of their relationship, was both interesting and inspiring. Among his own story, Tan would insert advice on career, love, and just being authentically you. I really enjoyed that this book was not necessarily told completely in chronological order; rather, it was broken up by topics. Sometimes reading memoirs that are told chronologically gets a little dry, in my opinion. This book was told loosely in chronological order, but each chapter read as its own section, which made it almost like short stories. Personally, I love reading memoirs told in this way, so that was a big win for me.
I love Queer Eye, and I absolutely plan to read the book written by the Fab Five as well, but hearing Tan's story individually with bits of the show sprinkled in here and there was such a wonderful way to start my Pride Month 2021 reading.
I listened to the audio book, which is narrated by Tan himself, and I really loved it. I typically try to find memoirs that are read by the author, as I find the experience of listening to them tell their own story to be more personal than hearing it told by someone else. Hearing Tan recall childhood memories, especially painful ones such as being bullied for being brown (his word), are so powerful and heart-wrenching. Coming out was also something that was difficult for him, as there were certain cultural expectations placed on him by his traditional Muslim Pakistani family and culture.
Listening to Tan tell the story of starting and running his own businesses, as well as meeting his husband and the progression of their relationship, was both interesting and inspiring. Among his own story, Tan would insert advice on career, love, and just being authentically you. I really enjoyed that this book was not necessarily told completely in chronological order; rather, it was broken up by topics. Sometimes reading memoirs that are told chronologically gets a little dry, in my opinion. This book was told loosely in chronological order, but each chapter read as its own section, which made it almost like short stories. Personally, I love reading memoirs told in this way, so that was a big win for me.
I love Queer Eye, and I absolutely plan to read the book written by the Fab Five as well, but hearing Tan's story individually with bits of the show sprinkled in here and there was such a wonderful way to start my Pride Month 2021 reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts