A review by jmorrisson
Drag King Dreams by Leslie Feinberg

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

It’s amazing to me how relevant this book has been in 2023. I finished it around June and it continues to come up in my mind all the time.

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Content Warnings

The characters face challenges including antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia and transphobia in NYC in the early 2000s, but Leslie Feinberg infused this book with compassion and healing that I think is really worth reading. You may have to put it down and cry, but you will also cry tears of joy when the book makes you feel seen by characters that are tackling some of the same societal and existential questions many queer, Jewish, Muslim, bipoc or other marginalized folks are unfortunately still facing now. I’m white and queer, so that’s the lens I was able to read from, but Leslie did an incredible job of immersing me in Max Rabinowitz’s inner world. In fact, if you like a character with a rich inner world, you’ll fall deeply in love with Max. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, allys too!!!, who, like me grew up in the US in the time right after 9/11. This book will give you some really important context we didn’t get as kids.