Best book of the year, hands down!

I am so glad I downloaded this book. It is, hands-down, the best book I have read/heard in ages! I found myself wishing it would never end.

It is truly hilarious while still delivering biting satire on our culture and the roles, expectations and double standards assigned to girls in particular.

The author reads the book herself and her delivery is an absolute treat, especially her delivery of the differing US accents.

Do yourself a favour and get this one - you will not be disappointed!

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My fault - I should have read internet reviews.

This story occupied several long car journeys but as the storyline became more ridiculous I started to long for it to stop. There were some very funny bits but probably not intended by the author who had written it tongue in cheek anyway. The reading of it was well done and made the plot bearable. I think that I was probably 50 years to old to really like it but then I would likely not have appreciated the irony at that age.

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Phenomenal

Where does Beauty Queens rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best. The performance, story and characters were all excellent.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Beauty Queens?

Probably Miss Texas losing it slightly.

Which character – as performed by Libba Bray – was your favourite?

Can I pick just one..? All of the characters were excellent, but probably Miss Texas, with her tenacity and strong will, and how she was completely, unapologetically Miss Texas

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

“Because 'You're perfect just the way you are,' is what your guidance counselor says. And she's an alcoholic.”

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was absolutely amazing, and I'd definitely say listen on past the end for the interview.

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Unexpectedly wonderful

If you could sum up Beauty Queens in three words, what would they be?

Hilarious (meaningful?) parody

Who was your favorite character and why?

Too hard to decide.

What does Libba Bray bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Huge enthusiasm and crazy enjoyment

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

A lot of moments when the girls come to recognise their own abilities. Also a lot of the stuff about Petra and Tiara.

Any additional comments?

It is completely ridiculous but I enjoyed it massively.

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Beauty Queens - Absolutely Awesome

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Certainly, I'd recommend it to anyone even if it doesn't seem like your genre of choice. Look beyond the bright cover and stereotypes and you will be, in the very least, pleasantly surprised. I have convinced my friends to listen/read Beauty Queens as soon as I finished myself and all feedback was positive.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved all aspects of this story: from the girls exploration of personal values to the fast-paced action and the government conspiracies. The multiple story-lines also added a lot of depth to the book which is one of its strongest features. Eventually, all the story-lines are combined for an epic, unpredictable finale.

Which character – as performed by Libba Bray – was your favourite?

Each character was unlike any other I have read about. All were outstanding and the diversity of the contestants meant they appeared realistic and relatable. Libba Bray's performance was excellent and by far my favourite in comparison to other narrators in my Audible library. L.Bray did a magnificent job of making each character sound unique. I could differentiate between the large cast of characters due to her performance which made it easier to follow the story right from the start. She brought the book to life with her accents, footnotes and 'advertisements'.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book occasionally caused my to burst into laughter on public transport despite my best efforts so listen at your own risk. The dialogue and satire is witty yet much deeper than it appears at first glance. L.Bray effectively displays the social issues that are often overlooked in an ironic manner which may change one's perception of common stereotypes that we have grown to accept.

Any additional comments?

Listened to this book during the summer and it was my number one favourite read/(listen) of the year. I did not expect to love this book but was instantaneously impressed. Libba Bray's performance made me glad that I bought it as an audio book although I'm now tempted to have a physical copy of this book too.

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3 people found this helpful