Thursday, July 21, 2011

Beauty Queens - Libba Bray

I really enjoy Libba Bray's writing.  I like her blog, I enjoyed her gothic YA series (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, The Sweet Far Thing) and her Printz award-winner Going BovineBeauty Queens was very enjoyable, although not on par with Bovine.  A group of teen pageant contestants crash-land on a tropical island, although, as we come to find out, not a deserted one.  Some of the funniest moments come early, as when Miss Texas leads the girls in a prayer of thanks for their survival and is interrupted by the death of Miss Delaware.  This book is not for overly sensitive types. 

I enjoyed the satirical portrayal of the media, big business, the world of teen-girl beauty, stereotypes and expectations.  What I did not enjoy as much was a point about mid-way through when the cast of a bad-boys reality program shipwrecks on the shores.  Too much pairing off and a little too...formula may be the word I'm going for.  However!  In all, I definitely recommend this book as a thought-provoking, laugh-provoking read suitable for all, except possibly Texas beauty queens. But then again, people can surprise you...

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