I am so very far behind on the blog posts for the podcast. So I'm going to try to catch up. Way back on Episode 118 of the GSMC Book Review Podcast I interviewed Laury A. Egan about her book Fabulous!: An Opera Buffa.
A talented opera singer, Gilbert Eugene Rose, moonlights as a drag queen and diva divine, Kiri De Uwana, in order to pay his rent. However, Gil is dying to become famous on the New York operatic stage; unfortunately he might get his wish when he lands lead roles as a soprano and tenor in separate productions and is also hired to sing Handel by a dangerous female gangster who is at war with the producer of one of the two operas. Suddenly, happy-go-lucky Gil finds himself stranded in the middle of Mobster Boulevard, aflutter in heels, dresses, and wigs, with only his wits for protection and a new romance for inspiration. (Source)
This book is hilarious, and yes, fabulous. Gilbert as a main character was occasionally over-the-top and campy, making me laugh and sometimes roll my eyes. He's not a one dimensional character, though. He is caring, loyal, creative, funny, has complicated relationships with his mother and ex-boyfriend. The story contains elements of comedy, suspense, action, and romance, with secondary characters that contribute and enhance each of those elements. Laury's writing is full of humor and warmth and she has created a story that is thoroughly enjoyable. At 254 pages it's a quick read with a fast-paced plot.
If you would like to know more about Fabulous! And Opera Buffa or about Laury as an author, you can find her online at the following places:
Website: http://www.lauryaegan.com/
Facebook: @lauryaegan
Laury A. Egan is the author of the young adult/adult novel, The Outcast Oracle, listed as a "Best Book of 2013" by Kirkus Revews; Fabulous! An Opera Buffa; the collection, Fog and Other Stories; and the psychological suspense, Jenny Kidd. Her stories have appeared in 35 literary journals and have been nominated for numerous awards; “The Mime” was a finalist for the Glass Woman Prize and "I Really Can't Say" was a finalist for the Glass Woman Ghost Story Prize. “Split,” “Fergus,” and “Jango Jacks” were honored by Short Story America as “Story-of-the-Week” and included in Volumes 1 and 2 of their anthologies. Her two full-length poetry books, Snow, Shadow, a Stranger and Beneath the Lion’s Paw, were issued by FootHills Publishing in limited edition, as were two chapbooks, Presence & Absence and The Sea & Beyond (the long poem "Beyond" was named an Inernational Merit winner by Atlanta Review and "The Sea" was nominated for a Pushcart Prize). She lives on the northern coast of New Jersey. (Source)
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