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A review by dogoodwithbooks
Dragging Mason County by Curtis Campbell
funny
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I would like to thank NetGalley and Annick Press for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
In Curtis Campbell’s YA debut novel, Dragging Mason County, Peter Thompkins finds himself agreeing to produce Mason County’s first annual drag show, starring his best friend Alan Good (aka Aggie Culture), after getting himself into a fight with one of the popular guys in school. While dealing with the town’s reactions to the show as well as his complicated friendship with Alan, Peter has to learn about stepping out of the shadows on his own terms.
Dragging Mason County is a read I wasn’t quite expecting when I first got this book on NetGalley, but I did end up enjoying it. I think Campell’s decision to have Peter, a complex anti-hero, as the main character and narrator for this book was an interesting choice. While I personally wasn’t fond of him at times (I mean some of the things he says in the book are completely terrible) and there were times in the book that part of me felt like Alan might have been a better choice as the narrator/MC, I do think the message of feeling like a sidekick in your own life was presented very well in Dragging Mason County.
Other than the quarrels over who should have been the main character, I do think Campbell did well for a debut novel. The writing was solid and Campbell does a great job with world-building for the rural setting of Mason County as well as the community Peter finds while producing the drag show.
If you’re looking for a YA novel featuring a MC who’s more blunt than the average person or are looking for a queer found family YA book, you might enjoy reading Dragging Mason County.
In Curtis Campbell’s YA debut novel, Dragging Mason County, Peter Thompkins finds himself agreeing to produce Mason County’s first annual drag show, starring his best friend Alan Good (aka Aggie Culture), after getting himself into a fight with one of the popular guys in school. While dealing with the town’s reactions to the show as well as his complicated friendship with Alan, Peter has to learn about stepping out of the shadows on his own terms.
Dragging Mason County is a read I wasn’t quite expecting when I first got this book on NetGalley, but I did end up enjoying it. I think Campell’s decision to have Peter, a complex anti-hero, as the main character and narrator for this book was an interesting choice. While I personally wasn’t fond of him at times (I mean some of the things he says in the book are completely terrible) and there were times in the book that part of me felt like Alan might have been a better choice as the narrator/MC, I do think the message of feeling like a sidekick in your own life was presented very well in Dragging Mason County.
Other than the quarrels over who should have been the main character, I do think Campbell did well for a debut novel. The writing was solid and Campbell does a great job with world-building for the rural setting of Mason County as well as the community Peter finds while producing the drag show.
If you’re looking for a YA novel featuring a MC who’s more blunt than the average person or are looking for a queer found family YA book, you might enjoy reading Dragging Mason County.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Violence
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent