Member Reviews
This is such a gorgeous book with lots of images and tons of commentary on drag from a global perspective. This one was almost overwhelming to read digitally and I can't wait to get my hands on a print copy!
This was such a fun and informative read! It’s great to hear other perspectives on the art form outside of Drag Race and the USA/UK (while these countries are part of the book) and the historical figures that paved the path.
It would be great to see a second edition of this with other/more countries as (most of) the world progresses
Thank you netgalley for the ARC for this novel seeing Courtney on social media and recognizing the name for this book i had to give it a read and i really enjoyed the research and the photos and i love how it took us on a journey around the globe and showed us all different types of history and drag styles and basically showed us that drag has always been here and it is not going away especially with everything going on now a days more then ever we need books like this to showcase peoples talents and educate people on the art of drag and how beautiful and entertaining it can be.. This book really showcased lots of drag performers and showed us new artists as well and i loved that. Thank you for sharing this novel with the world!
Planet Drag is one of those books I'm definitely going to buy when I see it in the wild (or order it from a local indie bookshop). It's a history and an accounting of drag across the ages, and across the world! It features several queens in both photographs and descriptions that people only familiar with Drag Race and popular drag are familiar with, but a lot more who made and are making history.
This is not just the history of drag, but the history of gender variance in performance and also the history of just, being queer-- that anyone can be a drag queen (or king or thing or monster or--) from a ciswoman to a transman to anything in between and beyond, and the people who have entertained us fellow humans for literally hundreds of years are an important part of culture and should be protected.
The photographs and reproductions of art in this book help tell the story, and each chapter./country was written by someone who had knowledge of the area and its history as well, with each author credited with their creds in the back. Great work.
Amazing illustrations and a fantastic way to learn more about Drag Culture, which I have only recently been discovering!
Highly recommended!
Travel to Planet Drag and explore the styles, influences, artists, and events that have made the art of drag so outrageously popular in 15 countries around the world.
Thank you Quarto Books for making this book available as a Read Now book on Netgalley! I enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was very interesting. I didn’t know anything about drag because I haven’t ever been exposed to it. I haven’t been to a drag show. My only exposure to drag was when I used to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race on VH1 but it was entertaining to watch.
A great look into the history of drag around the world. I especially love that it doesn't just focus on the countries with Drag Race franchises that are more well known, but also shows that there's more to drag than what's in the mainstream. This is definitely a book I would recommend to my friends.
I loved getting to learn more about drag culture around the world in Planet Drag. The combination of photos and text broken up into short chunks makes it very easy to read a section here and there. I love that it features several authors to ensure there is diverse and accurate representations of drag around the world, and that the writing challenges the "mainstream" drag often seen on Drag Race with a more in depth look into different variations on drag.
I think my biggest wish was that we got to see a more balanced perspective of drag across the continents. This project is of course massive as it already is and a feat to document so much history, but it does feel like it's missing representation from African countries.
Besides that, Planet Drag introduces readers to so much history and so many names that I'm eager to learn more about! I particularly enjoyed the sections at the end of the book that include links to further reading, as well as information about how to support local drag in all of the countries mentioned in the book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the eARC!
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.
Enjoyable both mentally and visibly. The history of drag in each region and learning about the indigenous cultures was really fascinating and something I truly never thought about
Highly recommended for all drag lover and those who don't understand, but want to.
I have followed Courtney online for several years so I was very excited when I saw her name and the beautiful cover. This was such a great read, it was full of well known names and faces. It also gave me insight to queens who I hadn't heard of previously but I now look forward to getting to know them. Thank you for such a diverse collection of drag across the globe complete with beautiful photography that really brings drag to life.
This is a fantastic dive into the history of drag across continents and cultures! Paired with plenty of photographs and discussion on gender and fashion, this makes for a fun and interesting read.
This was a heavily illustrated survey of drag culture around the world (well, sort of), looking at its history and current forms, whether that's simple cross-dressing from one gender to another or more transgressive and exciting forms that undermine and cross genders. The author defines themselves as a queer cis female drag queen, who has experienced queerphobia and misogyny so is careful to show a variety of experiences, Care is taken for areas where there are Indigenous peoples that their drag cultures are respected and outlined. It's a shame the coverage is mainly confined to the US and Canada, Europe, Australasia and the Far East; there's one South American country and no African (while it might be risky to do drag in those places, it is and has been in other countries that are covered). So a starting point rather than an exhaustive encyclopaedia.
Review will be published on my blog on 3 October 2024 https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2024/10/03/book-review-shannon-downey-lets-move-the-needle/
This book is perfect for fans of drag and want to know more about the culture, history, and how it is celebrated in various countries.
This was a fascinating read and I learned a lot more about the history of drag that has given me a greater appreciation for how hard and long it took for it to become more mainstream. While drag and the 2SLGBTQI+ community continue to fight to make strides in society today, there has been a lot of progress and much to celebrate, while honouring the past and those who suffered.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about how drag is practiced in difference countries - the trends, the histories. It really goes to show that there is no one universal or 'right' way to do drag and that it is really quite limitless.
While there were many references to RuPaul's Drag Race and it's impact on and inclusion in mainstream culture, the book goes well beyond that, using the popularity of the show as a launching point to bring the reader into the other aspects of drag community and culture.
Really well done and the photographs included only served to highlight and complement the text.
Thanks to the publisher for the eARC; all opinions are my own.
Really fun book but the digital arc does not do it justice. Will definitely be getting a physical copy when this gets released.
An interesting look at counter culture fashion in an age that is starting to acknowledge humanity isn’t binary.
Courtney Conquers' Planet Drag is an absolute must-have for any drag enthusiast. This stunningly illustrated volume takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the global drag scene, from Tokyo's vibrant streets to New York City's iconic stages.
Conquers' writing is both informative and engaging. It offers a deep dive into the history, culture, and artistry of drag. The book is filled with stunning photographs that capture drag performers' unique beauty and diversity worldwide.
Whether you're a seasoned drag fan or simply curious about this captivating art form, Planet Drag is a must-read. It celebrates creativity, self-expression, and the power of community.
Thank you, Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion | White Lion Publishing, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!
*Received as a free ARC*
Absolutely spectacular world history of drag. A little shallow in places, but with so many different regions represented, it had to be. That being said, clearly each chapter could have been a full book. Absolutely fascinating. Very readable and excellent images included.
Beautiful book giving history of drag and Drag Queens around the world. I loved the photos and illustrations so much. I love learning the history of anything interesting and for me drag is one of the most interesting things in the world. I love it as a form of self expression, I love it as an art form, I love it's mere existence. I love that it can bring people together and teach acceptance. Thank you for the pleasure of reading this beautiful book.
Beautiful and stunning book that is perfect for fans of drag or those wanting to get into it!
If there was ever a need for there to be a "Bible" for Drag, I would recommend this as a contender.
Absolutely loved it and the photography is amazing.
Absolute fan of drag and this book. Beautiful beautiful drag kings and queens throughout the world are shown here by country and region. Drag is so fun and expressive. Would recommend this as an accessible option for those wondering what drag even is.