Jayne and the Average North Dakotan
by Chandler Myer
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Pub Date Jan 21 2023 | Archive Date Apr 20 2023
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Description
You can take the boy out of North Dakota, but only a drag queen can finish the makeover.
When Randy Larson, a 32-year-old gay accountant who’s never been outside North Dakota, moves to Washington, DC, he struggles to find his way. A six-foot, nine-inch, sensational Jayne Mansfield drag queen takes him under her colorful wing for lessons in shopping, first dates, hosting brunch, furnishing an apartment, and living in the gay community. Is Randy ready for life and love in the Nation’s Capital?
Chandler Myer’s debut novel, Jayne and the Average North Dakotan, is an unconventional coming-of-age and coming-out story filled with humor and humanity. Randy and Jayne, an odd couple with a unique relationship, will have you cheering the underdog and wishing for your own drag fairy godmother.
A Note From the Publisher
Myer lives in Philadelphia with his husband of more than a quarter century. He loves to walk, travel, and make friends with every dog he sees.
Advance Praise
"Libraries seeking realistic LGBTQ novels will find Jayne and the Average North Dakotan a study in growth, understanding, and the varied support systems which emerge from an "exploration year" to revise and open a closeted life." Midwest Book Review
"A charming and often touching novel of self-discovery." Kirkus
"Equal parts sweet and sarcastic, a hilarious story of the growing pains that come with discovering your true self"
Independent Book Review
"An engaging and deeply entertaining story with a romance that will make fans of gay fiction swoon."
BookView Review
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Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781639886999 |
| PRICE | $18.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 332 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Librarian 431790
A sort of rom com with a pinch of fairy tale where the fairy godmother is a drag queen and a North Dakotan gay accountant is a sort of Cinderella.
There's a lot of humour but there's also inclusivity and a coming of age story.
I loved the style of writing and the good storytelling.
A compelling story that I strongly recommend
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
P. M, Reviewer
Ooh, I loved this book from just reading the title, and doncha know it's a pretty great read! It does thoroughly answer Randy Larson's burning question: "How did I end up hungover in a green taffeta gown with a gargantuan Jayne Mansfield drag queen mothering me? That's a complicated story. You see, I was destinated to live the life of an average North Dakotan. Then, everything changed."
32-year-old Randy grew up in Minot, North Dakota ("Why not Minot?") and after the death of his parents (who basically raised him as a middle-aged man reading the Minot Times and eating dinner at 5:00 pm), Randy decides to move to an interesting big city with a gay community (and a subway ... "I've never been on a subway, but I know it's a glamorous way famous and sophisticated people get around"), which turns out to be Washington DC.
Randy dreams of having a fairy godmother to teach him all the things he needs to know about being gay ("she would also explain how a "thruple" works) and after a disastrous showing at the 17th Street High Heel Drag Race, finally meets 6'9" Jayne Mansfield, who introduces him to the Brothel (Joan, Bette, Bette, Marilyn, Cher and Lea DeLaria), moves into his miniscule apartment, teaches him how to drink massive quantities of vodka, badgers him to buy clothes other than Toughskins, and that's just the first day.
What follows is a glorious melange of kissing some pretty strange until Randy finally finds his Prince Charming (or as Jayne says "Prince Pretty Pants"). It's a hysterical, heartwarming, weird and strange story, with every character beautifully fleshed out. Randy goes from a sweet, doughy closeted nerd to, well .... a better dressed doughy nerd with a better decorated apartment, a lot more confidence, and self-esteem. Randy has grown up into a feisty, self-sufficient adult and you cheer for him every step of the way. 5 stars.
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