A group of beauty queens stranded on an island. From the premise, the reader may believe the book to be about a group of superficial girls who are literally beauty queens. However, this novel is much more than that. When a group of beauty queens from the Miss Teen Dream pageant crash land on a supposedly deserted island, they must rely on each other, and themselves, for survival. With the addition of dashing pirates, an ominous corporation that also has its claws on the island, and commercial breaks that poke fun at corporate America, readers have a book that is both captivating and amusing.
Beauty Queens is truly a unique novel; a magical blend of Lords of the Flies meets an absurdist play. At a glance, the book is a satire that never takes itself too seriously, which makes the absurd scenes work. The novel questions American ideals concerning beauty, the female role, entertainment, media, religion, and marketing. At its core, however, it is a feminist novel. Beauty Queens tells the story of fourteen completely different girls. It takes a while for most of the girls to realize who they are, but when they do, it is rewarding to read. Bray makes it easy for readers to identify with the characters, and readers will find themselves cheering for the girls and hoping they each get the happy ending they deserve.
A group of beauty queens stranded on an island. From the premise, the reader may believe the book to be about a group of superficial girls who are literally beauty queens. However, this novel is much more than that. When a group of beauty queens from the Miss Teen Dream pageant crash land on a supposedly deserted island, they must rely on each other, and themselves, for survival. With the addition of dashing pirates, an ominous corporation that also has its claws on the island, and commercial breaks that poke fun at corporate America, readers have a book that is both captivating and amusing.
Beauty Queens is truly a unique novel; a magical blend of Lords of the Flies meets an absurdist play. At a glance, the book is a satire that never takes itself too seriously, which makes the absurd scenes work. The novel questions American ideals concerning beauty, the female role, entertainment, media, religion, and marketing. At its core, however, it is a feminist novel. Beauty Queens tells the story of fourteen completely different girls. It takes a while for most of the girls to realize who they are, but when they do, it is rewarding to read. Bray makes it easy for readers to identify with the characters, and readers will find themselves cheering for the girls and hoping they each get the happy ending they deserve.
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Even though it is an absolute treat, Beauty Queens is not for those who are easily offended. The book contains sexual content, and it addresses such issues. The subject is expressed tastefully and is not unnecessarily graphic. Beauty Queens also addresses issues of homosexuality and introduces a transgender character that will make readers reexamine the idea of sexuality and gender. In spite of some reservations readers may have, Beauty Queens is a must read for girls who are trying to find themselves or anyone who wishes to read a well-written satire.
Libba Bray’s writing is top-notch here. The dialogue is witty, and the overall format of the book is outstanding. The plot is tight, but readers may wish that some characters had a clearer ending. Overall, Bray has amazed her fans yet again, and is sure to gain more with Beauty Queens.
For more information on Libba Bray, visit her website.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Libba Bray Proves Beauty is Only Skin Deep - Atlantic City Young Adult Fiction | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/young-adult-fiction-in-atlantic-city/libba-bray-proves-beauty-is-only-skin-deep-review#ixzz1RvbPVaIs
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