OCTOBER 2019 - AudioFile
Jonathan Van Ness narrates his hilarious and moving memoir with all the bright energy he’s known for—no one but the queer icon himself could narrate his story. Van Ness rocketed to fame on the "Queer Eye" reboot, and his audiobook touches on serving up excellence on the reality show. His story starts with his childhood with a loving family in a small town, where he idolized Olympic athletes and survived an early sexual assault. Van Ness holds no emotions back as he shares the impact of that trauma, along with the difficulty of growing up femme and gay, learning of his HIV-positive diagnosis, and recovering from addiction. His voice shakes as he shares a powerful truth with listeners: “We are never too broken to heal.” E.E.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
The New York Times Book Review - Kristen Arnett
There is plenty to laugh at in the ways Van Ness frames his story…But it is his candid articulation of his evolving relationship with himself, his acceptance of who he is, that brings the one-liners their sweetness. His narration, as pithy and "over the top" as his beloved TV persona, is incredibly endearing. The battles that Van Ness has waged against the darker corners of his soul to become the bright light we know today provide the necessary context for this book to shine.
From the Publisher
"There is plenty to laugh at in the ways “Queer Eye”’s grooming expert frames his story, but it’s the battles he’s waged against the darker corners of his soul to become the bright light we know today that provide the necessary context for this book to shine." — The New York Times
The New York Times
"There is plenty to laugh at in the ways “Queer Eye”’s grooming expert frames his story, but it’s the battles he’s waged against the darker corners of his soul to become the bright light we know today that provide the necessary context for this book to shine."
The New York Times
"There is plenty to laugh at in the ways “Queer Eye”’s grooming expert frames his story, but it’s the battles he’s waged against the darker corners of his soul to become the bright light we know today that provide the necessary context for this book to shine."
The New York Times
"There is plenty to laugh at in the ways “Queer Eye”’s grooming expert frames his story, but it’s the battles he’s waged against the darker corners of his soul to become the bright light we know today that provide the necessary context for this book to shine."
Library Journal
11/22/2019
Van Ness, known as the grooming expert on the Netflix reboot of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and creator of the podcast Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, here offers more insight into his backstory, as a feminine boy from Illinois who favored gymnastics and cheerleading. The author describes a supportive mother and stepfather who were essential to his survival and tells of first loves, a descent into drug and sex addiction and visits to rehab, and the slow process to developing self-esteem. Amid all of this, Van Ness was studying to become a master hairdresser, first in Phoenix and then Los Angeles. The death of his stepfather led to a downward spiral of sex addiction, and after a stint in St. Louis, Van Ness found himself back in Los Angeles and beginning work on his parody Gay of Thrones, which launched his initial stardom. Though he admits he wasn't at his best at the audition for Queer Eye, he still managed to get the part, eventually attracting an international audience. VERDICT Van Ness's signature wit and charm shines throughout this fiercely honest and heartfelt memoir. Pop culture fans will love the openness on full display.—David Azzolina, Univ. of Pennsylvania Libs., Philadelphia
