Glitter and Concrete

I enjoyed this book a lot and I think it's a very important one for the queer community at a time where drag artists and trans people are increasingly targeted on multiple fronts. That being said, it is a cultural history book and it is name heavy and sometimes really quite dense, prepare to take notes (or get yourself a paper version and use up some of that beautiful annotating material you've been stockpiling) if you're anything like me and can't remember names to save your life.

Maxx Goodman really starts from the ground up and doesn't presume that the reader knows much about the topic at all so if you're new to the idea that drag history is even a thing or to the world of drag itself. Long story short, it's a good book to build a solid foundation.

Even though the tone is quite matter of fact the book still relates a lot of heart wrenching stuff and it had me in tears a couple of times.

4.5 rounded up.

I received a digital review copy of this book ahead of its release (release date appears to be set for September 12, 2023) from Harlequin Trade Publishing/Hanover Square Press through Netgalley for review consideration, my thanks to both for the opportunity to read an review this book.