An excellent, affirming, and very creative work. Historical icons from American history have come back to life, among them Harriet Tubman and several others associated with Tubman and the Underground Railroad. In seeking to share her story with a modern audience, Harriet hires Darnell Williams to help her and her friends create a rap album about her life. Darnell was once a rising star in the music industry, but his reputation crashed and burned when he was betrayed and outed live on television by a major musician. As Darnell helps Harriett and her friends create their album, he also learns about what it means to be truly free.

As someone who loves historical fiction and stories that bring the past to life, Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert was a refreshing and brilliant take on one of the most legendary figures in American history. Bob the Drag Queen masterfully weaves humor into Harriet Tubman’s story without ever diminishing her impact. Instead, the comedy serves as a bridge—making history feel accessible, engaging, and, at times, painfully relevant.

What I appreciated most was the balance between sharp wit and deep reverence. Bob doesn’t just tell Tubman’s story; he brings it to life with a mix of bold humor and undeniable truth, drawing parallels between the struggles of the past and the ongoing fight for justice today. The book doesn’t just make you laugh—it makes you think.

If you love historical fiction but also appreciate a little comedic relief to soften the heaviness of history, this is definitely worth the read. It’s Harriet Tubman like you’ve never seen her before, but in a way that still honors her legacy.

Nothing like I’ve ever read before.

🌟3.75 Stars🌟
The exploration of the connections that marginalized individuals develop with historical figures was really interesting. I loved the relationships that Darnell built with Harriet and the other members of the Freemen.

The concept of this book is just so good, Harriet Tubman in the 2020s becoming a rap/hip hop artist, what’s not to love. I don’t think that the execution was quite there though. We never really get an explanation of how Harriet is here in the future, how is she making money to live in New York, or why the Freemen are here in the future but not other key historical figures like John Brown. Not explaining these issues, even in a hand wavy manner, meant I really struggled with suspending my disbelief.

I also struggled with Darnell’s lack of historical knowledge around slavery and the civil war. Listen I am no expert at all, but I was shocked that he knew nothing about John Brown. What made it hard to justify this lack of knowledge was the way Darnell’s mother was characterized. She is a woman who is very proud of her blackness to the point of not letting her son sit at the back of the bus. His mother teaches African American studies, I can’t really square that background with his lack of knowledge. I think this could be easily solved by making Darnell’s family focused on assimilating into whiteness, then his love of hip hop/rap is an act of rebellion prompted by a desire to connect to his culture. The way he immediately gravitates to Harriet would also feel understandable.

Overall though I think there are some really interesting ideas explored in this book and I’m excited to see how Bob’s writing grows.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve been a huge fan of Bob the Drag Queen for years, so when I found out he wrote a book—Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert—I IMMEDIATELY added it to my TBR. When I saw it listed on NetGalley, I got super excited and requested it, thinking there was no way I’d actually get approved—but lo and behold, I did! (Thank you, NetGalley and Gallery Books!)

Going in, I had a slightly different expectation of what this book would be. Someone had described it as Hamilton-esque, so I imagined something heavily musical throughout. If you’re expecting the same, adjust your expectations—while there are musical elements, this isn’t a full-blown musical on the page. Instead, it weaves a unique and compelling storyline where historical figures have returned from the dead and are living in the present day. Harriet Tubman and her group of “Freemen” enlist Darnell, a struggling (but incredibly talented) music producer grappling with his sexuality, to help create a rap album that tells the story of the Underground Railroad.

I knew history would play a role, given that Harriet Tubman is at the heart of the story, but I didn’t expect to learn as much as I did—or to absorb it in such a fun, playful way. While the book primarily takes place in the present and explores themes of race, sexuality, and self-acceptance, it also draws thoughtful parallels to how these same topics were navigated in the 1800s and 1900s.

I’m always amazed by how Bob’s brain works, and Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert is a fantastic debut. While I felt that some plot points could have been expanded upon, it didn’t take away much from my overall enjoyment. I’d initially rate this a solid 4 stars, but I’m rounding up because I know once the audiobook is released—and I get to experience it in Bob’s voice the way it’s meant to be heard—my appreciation for it will only deepen.

2.5 stars.

I wanted to like this more than I actually did. I’m a big fan of Bob the Drag Queen and this is a huge swing for a debut author. Unfortunately, it was uneven and repetitive. It was very funny and thoughtful at times.

Harriet Tubman coming back from the dead just to make a rap album is a concept so hilariously out there that I just had to read it.

As a fan of Bob the Drag Queen, and of drag in general, I knew going in that it was going to be a blast, but I wasn't expecting to have this much fun with it! This interpretation of Harriet and the four enslaved persons that make up her band felt very organic: they all did what they had to do and now are ready to pass on their wisdom and experiences to the next generation. It served as a very interesting character study of these five, and it did that very well. However, if you are wondering why these dead historical figures are coming back to life and what it means, you will not find it here. But that is okay! People coming back from the dead was really just a footnote to get this analysis of these historical figures, and I think it did that wonderfully.

I do wish that Darnell, the gay music producer that serves as the outsider looking in on Harriet and her team, got a bit more focus in the book, which is odd since he is the narrator. He doesn't have much to do other than ask Harriet and crew questions and have a brief intermission where he talks about his traumatizing past: getting outed on TV by a famous singer. This plotline could have been more impactful, I think, but it is dropped rather quickly by both Harriet and the novel practically as soon as it happens. It's hard to complain, especially since I enjoyed the parts where Harriet and her band are just talking and explaining their history to Darnell, but I wish we got a little more focus on him in addition to that.

Regardless, for a first novel, I had a really fun time with this one!

What a weird, wonderful little thought experiment of a book.

It’s a touch on the didactic side at times, but when that’s in the service of spilling tea on John Brown and Frederick Douglass, or introducing you to lesser known historical figures like William Dorsey Swann and Ellen Craft, you can’t be mad about it. And it made me laugh out loud at least twice.

Harriet Tubman is back, and she's ready to tell her story through rap! After the unexplained return of some of history's biggest heroes, we meet Harriet and her band (the Freemans) through the eyes of music producer and writer Darnell, who's not really sure how he got this gig in the first place, but has been called in to help Harriet write her album. Yes, it's ridiculous. Yes, it's absurdly hilarious. But it's also surprisingly moving and touching at moments. Only Bob the Drag Queen could pull this off.

This was such a fun and engaging read! As soon as I heard Bob the Drag Queen had a book coming out, I knew I had to read it—I’m a huge fan! The title immediately grabbed my attention, and the book itself did not disappoint.

It’s both a creative history lesson and a vibrant celebration of Black Culture. The concept of Harriet Tubman returning to create an album about her life and accomplishments, blending hip-hop and spiritual influences, is absolutely brilliant. I can’t wait for the audiobook release because I think this story has incredible potential to shine in that format.

I also read a review suggesting that this book would be a great fit for YA readers, and I completely agree!

In a world where historical heroes have mysteriously returned, Harriet Tubman teams up withhip-hop producer Darnell Williams to help her create a musical about her life. With only a week to prepare, they work together to craft a show worthy of Broadway, while simultaneously confronting their own personal traumas and finding a path towards a brighter future.

What a unique and fascinating historical retelling with a really fun modern day twist! I'm not shocked that I loved this, as I am a MAJOR fan of Bob the Drag Queen and he perfectly embedded his humor and values into every single page of this one! Reading about how Harriet Tubman *may* have interacted with the modern world was really interesting. This book also explored the feelings of opposing forces as Black gay men battle with never feeling Black enough or gay enough to be embraced by their respective communities. There was a perfect balance of joy and heartbreak in this book. My only issue lies in wanting a bit more background to the how/why of the random return of historical heroes. But that is a very minor complaint. I really enjoyed this one!

An offbeat premise leads to some surprisingly moving emotional depths. Bob the Drag queen takes an idea that seems made for laughs, and turns it into a comment about many phases of American history.

This book had such a creative spin. I also found it to be informative. I loved the way the characters were painted and the way that humor was incorporated into such heavy topics. This book tackled some heavy things in a balanced way. The story was so well done I did not want to put it down and I did not want it to end.

I had no idea what to anticipate when I picked up Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen. After all, how does one blend speculative fiction, hip-hop, and Harriet Tubman? But believe me when I say that this book is as bold and creative as it seems!

Harriet Tubman isn't there to play; instead, it plunges headfirst into a universe where historical people come to life. Rather, she is here to work with Darnell, a once-famous music producer whose career took a fall after he was exposed on live television, on a hip-hop record.

The book is a wonderful example of how to combine heart, comedy, and harsh realities. While it doesn't avoid serious subjects like racism, queerness, identity, and freedom, it also makes time for lighthearted and joyful moments. Harriet and Darnell's relationship is so genuine and unfiltered. Their dialogue seems to spring off the page, striking a balance between Darnell's contemporary hardships and Harriet's historical significance.

Throughout, Bob the Drag Queen's voice is unmistakably bold, humorous, and incredibly kind. In addition to celebrating tenacity, this book serves as a reminder that emancipation involves both mending one's own scars and altering the course of history. This is a story you won't want to miss if you enjoy highly entertaining stories that question norms and provoke thought.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

A creative and unique imagined world wherein historical figures are back and living in the present day. Harriet Tubman is one of those figures and is ready to tell her story. She enlists the help of gay (but not out) music producer Darnell to help write songs about her life and experience. Harriet tells him about the Underground Railroad, about setting people free (physically and emotionally). While putting together these songs together, Darnell grapples with his feelings about his sexuality.

This was such a fun and unique set-up. The whole event of these historical figures returning is briefly mentioned and more of just an aside to explain why Harriet Tubman is here on earth. It's mostly a contemporary story about race and sexuality and coming to terms with and being proud/open about your identity.

This had great discussions about racism, freedom, homophobia, outing, the black experience vs the gay black experience, etc. It was also educational, with tons of information about Harriet Tubman and her life.

This felt a bit YA sometimes, in the writing and overall narrative arc, and it reminded me a bit of if you mixed On the Come Up by Angie Thomas with The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta. If you liked either of those books, I'd recommend this. I could see a younger person getting something out of this book, especially in the discussions about queerness, race, and owning your identity.

3.75
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Listen…just Bob and the concept were enough to reel me in.

This was a quick, well-paced read with ALL the feelings; I laughed out loud, I empathized with the anger and pain, and I learned more about historical figures that are far less known than they should be (looking in awe at you William Dorsey Swann and Ellen Craft!) Most of all I remained interested in where this was all heading; ultimately, it’s a simple story of just how complicated ‘getting free’ can be.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Harriet Tubman is back and she wants to speak to a new generation of Americans. She decides the best way to do this is to enlist the help of Darnell Williams, a gay music producer, and create a bestselling hip hop album.

This book isn’t just funny, it’s First Page Funny. Do you know how hard that is? To set up something and have it land successfully on the very first page of a new book? It’s a tall order. And it’s one this book delivers on from the very beginning and then consistently lives up to throughout. I had high hopes for this novel (with the premise and the author how could I not?) and those hopes were more than fulfilled.

In addition to the razor sharp, intelligent, humor we’ve come to expect from Bob The Drag Queen, this book is also a poignant, nuanced exploration of race in our nation's history and present. The novel delves into the unique and often uniquely difficult experience of being Black and Queer in America today. Like onions and ogres, this book has some serious layers going on. There’s humor of course, but also drama, vibrant and messy characters and a surprisingly effective didactic through line. I learned so much about music, history, and queer culture from this book. I’d never even heard of William Dorsey Swann or Ellen Craft before reading this.

Including original songs in any book is a risky prospect, a literary double edged sword. Their inclusion can be a wonderful addition and add to the immersion of the reading experience. But when it doesn’t work it REALLY doesn’t work and can break that immersion entirely. I’m looking at you Anne Rice. I liked Queen of the Damned as much as the next guy but I do not believe audiences in that or any universe went wild for lyrics like “In my dreams, I hold her still / Angel, lover, Mother. / And in my dreams, I kiss her lips / Mistress, Muse, Daughter”. All that being said, Harriet Tubman Live in Concert pretty much sets the gold standard for original song lyrics in fiction. This book wouldn’t be as good or make much sense without the songs being present in some way, they add to and in some ways are the story. And they slap severely. I can hear them in my mind. They flow and cohere. They’re clever and catchy and powerful. I can imagine them playing them on an app, adding them to a playlist. And I desperately WANT them to be fully produced, real songs I could listen to, they’re just that good!

If I had to critique a few things, I’d mention the pacing and a few world building details. The first and second parts of the book were excellently paced and progressed in a way that felt natural. The last third felt a little rushed perhaps and I would have liked more resolution on Darnell’s backstory. In terms of world building, in this universe people from the past have suddenly appeared in modern day and are called The Returned. Initially the author doesn’t get bogged down in the minutiae of how or why this happened and I think it was the right call. Instead we just the relevant details, Cleopatra is an Insta model and Harriet Tubman is here and wants to make a hip hop album, great stuff. I was hoping for a little more exploration of this phenomenon later in the story but it never came. These small critiques are only missed opportunities though and don’t drag the book down in any way. They may possibly have made the novel better but their absence did not make it worse, a crucial distinction.

Overall this was a wonderful debut and a great book to start the new year on. I’ve seldom seen such a promising, exceptional foray into fiction from someone who isn’t famous (yet) for their writing. I’m not saying Bob the Drag Queen should hang up the lace front wigs for a while and give us another novel like this. But I am saying I would wait in lines and fight off crowds to get my hands on a copy if she did.

I’ve been a fan of Bob the Drag Queen for years was excited to read his new book. I enjoyed it quite a lot. With a unique set up, Bob was able to draw the reader in. Thank you to Gallery Books for the ARC through NetGallery.

I requested and received an eARC of Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen via NetGalley. I love everything Bob does. Although he once famously called for the eradication of libraries, he has such a distinct point of view when discussing literally anything that I knew his first foray into fiction would be a special experience that I couldn’t miss out on. In a time when historical heroes have inexplicably come back to life, Harriet Tubman has plenty to say. Just like Hamilton, Tubman is ready to put on a show about her own life. She enlists Darnell Williams, a former hip-hop producer who enjoyed an illustrious career before being outed live on BET. Together Harriet and Darnell must confront the horrors of their past in order to build a better future.

I was a little taken aback as I started reading, because it felt that I was being dropped in the middle of something that was already happening, like I was missing some sort of key event. This worry quickly dissipated as I made my way through Bob the Drag Queen’s story. I really grew to appreciate the cast of characters in Harriet’s band. Their backstories were all interesting and they all had unique positions on certain issues and historical figures that I found to be fascinating and made me want to do my own research. The heart of this novel, however, is definitely the relationship between Darnell and Harriet. The journey their pasts and the mutual understanding they achieve as Darnell works on the music for Harriet is very special. This is a novel about healing and liberation — and the lyrics are pretty great too!

This book may not be for every Bobblehead, but I suspect many will enjoy it. No, this isn’t a story about drag, or a tell-all, but Bob comes across very clearly in the text. Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert is crammed full of his humor which is expertly blended with both the personal and the political. This is a story told with compassion, it blends history with speculative fiction and the result is very rewarding. There’s a lot of hidden depth within the whimsical premise of this novel. It interrogates the historical and continued experiences of Black Americans in a way that is both informative, sympathetic, and celebratory. The more somber moments in the text are handled with sensitivity and given proper gravity. Overall the novel is joyous and was a pleasure to read