James St. James

I picked this book up because I'd heard the title mentioned, in passing, while watching the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard defamation trial. So, kind of random, when I realized what the book was about!

This is, as stated in the title, a true story about murder. But written by one of the biggest, most prominent Drag Queens of the early 90s, it reads like a delightful journal or blog entry! I'm honestly surprised I hadn't heard about this story (the murder of Angel Melendez) at the time, or even shortly thereafter. I was really into clubbing (at the gay bars), first while living in Lincoln, NE, then when I moved to Chicago, IL, and once again when back in Lincoln. My friends kept their ears to the ground--they knew things that were happening on the LGBTQ scene. But this, having happened in New York City, was just a little too far out of reach for us, I guess.

Nevertheless, the scenes described, the clothes and makeup worn, the parties and after-parties--they all ring of my delightful youth. (I must point out that I never tried 90% of the drugs mentioned in this book, and I'd never even HEARD of Special K... but I get the vibe, which, at my old age, is good enough for me!)

I'm pleased to see that James St. James still writes and hosts shows and is still very active in the LGBTQ community. He didn't fade into the background--he blossomed!… (more)

I've been fascinated by the 90's New York Club Kid scene: how can so many 20-somethings live with such reckless abandon? How do they even afford to live in NYC and party all the time and go to school? It's a world that I can't relate to, but reading James St. James' book definitely threw me in to the depths of it all. James' writing swirls and flourishes...I loved every minute. I later came to find out that he was still on drugs (speed or perhaps Special K) at the time of writing the book, but it worked for this story. I can't say that I walked away feeling sorry for Michael Alig, but it definitely led me to think more deeply about shared experiences and how living on the fringe can be both horrifying and fabulous.… (more)