A fun book of essays about his eccentric family and friends. I spent much time chuckling. Became interested after seeing the UK TV show based on this book. However, the show is updated to the 1990's where as the book is set firmly in the 1960's and 1970's. Also, the UK of Doonan's youth and his friends and family are all obviously white vs the multi-cultural, multi-racial update afforded by the series. Still both are fun. I picked this one up because I have been watching the tv show "Beautiful People" on logo. Boy, the TV show takes some liberties with the book, it has a few basic plot points but that is about it! But the book was a light and funny read, and has some vignettes about Doonan's life. It is not concentrated on his childhood like the TV show, but instead offers some tales from his childhood, his mother Betty and her large hairdo, his Father Terry and the homemade wine, his grandmother Narg, his schizophrenic uncle Ken and his sister who, oddly enough, also turned out to be gay. You also get to meet his best friend Biddie, and hear the story of the floor pillow, and his rise to become the window dresser at Barney's in New York. All in all, I found the book to be fun and insightful, and if you need a quick read to lift your spirits, this would be a good choice.
What do You think about The Beautiful People (2000)?
wonderful, funny and irreverent. I really enjoyed this.
—pri
Clearly a work of towering genius. And hilarious!
—Ciara
