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Sarah Watanabe's Reviews > The House of Hidden Meanings
The House of Hidden Meanings
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by
2 stars
I have long been a fan of RuPaul’s music and a recent watcher of drag race. I was expecting to learn more about his life and delve into what led him along his career and I have to say I’m disappointed.
I think he covered a lot of his youth and adolescence fairly well but he didn’t really delve that deep into his emotions or really let the reader into his life. It was very guarded and curated and then it was summarized with a very deep and resonating statement that commentated on the experience without really reflecting deeply on it.
I also think the time frame was quite odd, only focusing on his life ascending to fame and not past age ~35. He also often glossed over deeply traumatizing or really upsetting situations (e.g. his first sexual experience). I just didn’t really see the value of writing a memoir if you’re not going to really get into it. Overall felt like this was another endeavor from our capitalistic bestie - can’t say I don’t respect the grind but wasn’t great as a reader.
I have long been a fan of RuPaul’s music and a recent watcher of drag race. I was expecting to learn more about his life and delve into what led him along his career and I have to say I’m disappointed.
I think he covered a lot of his youth and adolescence fairly well but he didn’t really delve that deep into his emotions or really let the reader into his life. It was very guarded and curated and then it was summarized with a very deep and resonating statement that commentated on the experience without really reflecting deeply on it.
I also think the time frame was quite odd, only focusing on his life ascending to fame and not past age ~35. He also often glossed over deeply traumatizing or really upsetting situations (e.g. his first sexual experience). I just didn’t really see the value of writing a memoir if you’re not going to really get into it. Overall felt like this was another endeavor from our capitalistic bestie - can’t say I don’t respect the grind but wasn’t great as a reader.
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Reading Progress
March 5, 2024
– Shelved
March 6, 2024
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Started Reading
March 9, 2024
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50.0%
March 9, 2024
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Finished Reading
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Lorra
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rated it 5 stars
Mar 15, 2024 03:50PM
I think we may have a part two in the future to look forward to :)
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also, no one is required to give intimate details of their trauma. He shared PLENTY. Do you really need the DETAILS of upsetting and traumatic events? Not many people want to relive those, so "glossing over" them a bit is not that insane. If you want real traumatic details go read THE WAVE by Sonali Deraniyagala
I agree with you, Sarah. And you may agree with me that "details" doesn't always mean the lurid facts, but a sharing of what you felt, how you processed, etc. Honestly when he mentioned toward the end that he realized he needed AA, I was a little stunned. Sure, he mentioned his drug use, but it felt like it came out of left field. I still did like it and gave it 4 stars for simple enjoyment, but it could have been deeper.
What a half-baked take. How can you say “he didn’t discuss much of his life� and “he talked about his youth and life leading to age 35� in the same paragraph? I’m not sure how one can be more vulnerable than discussing substance abuse, poverty/homelessness, the discovery of one’s sexuality, and a broken household than this memoir. If you want to read a book about drag race, just go watch drag race? (you said yourself you’re a new watcher, as you watch more seasons you will learn more about Ru as he discusses a lot of his life throughout the show). Stop diluting the reviews with surface-level understandings of queer 80s culture and demanding those that choose to speak divulge further gruesome details for your own understanding and amusement. Gross.
