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Chorus of Witches (Valancourt 20th Century Classics)
Chorus of Witches (Valancourt 20th Century Classics) | Paul Buckland
9 posts | 4 read | 7 to read
A thrilling rediscovery - a lost gay classic about a traveling drag show in 1950s England As far as Eric and Gertrude Ford know, their teenage son Colin is off at art school. So imagine their shock and horror when they attend a show at the Palace Theatre and see him take the stage - wearing a dress and wig! Chorus of Witches is the story of Colin, sexy but heartless, and the two men who love him: Jock, a rough but tender-hearted Scotsman and Alan, a refined older gentleman. It's also a fascinating look at backstage life at one of Britain's earliest drag shows, with an unforgettable cast of bitchy queens like Josie, Netta, and Tessa, whose bickering and banter is as fresh and funny as any modern-day drag queen reality show. First published in 1959 and never previously reprinted, Paul Buckland's Chorus of Witches is an exciting rediscovery, one of the first novels about drag queens and a rare example of an early gay novel with a happy ending.
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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It's PRIDE month!!

Here are 5 classic books I think everyone should read at least once.

Chorus of Witches was recently found and re-published. It is the first known book about Drag Queens. Written in 1959 by British author Paul Buckland, it is set against the backdrop of a traveling drag show, and a set of parents that don't know what their son is getting up to.
The secondary characters banter and behind the scenes scenes are the best!

ChaoticMissAdventures This one was made into a gorgeous movie called Carol. I recommend both the book and the movie. I LOVE Patricia Highsmith, and this coming of age, illicit romance is her at her best. I don't typically like age gaps, but Carol is a captivating character, and knowing it was written and published in 1952 gives it so much impact on the literary world. 4d
ChaoticMissAdventures This was written in 1913, and you can tell. The language is challenging, I often felt I was missing transitions, even during characters conversations. But overall this is a remarkable story especially for the time it was written. This is great for people who love classic academia setting books. 4d
ChaoticMissAdventures If you have not read this why not? Yes filled with unlikable characters, and the allegory is a bit in your face, but the writing is fantastic, the storytelling is very compelling, and it is a wicked delight. There are so many reference to this story in all sorts of media and real life, you are really missing out if you don't read it yourself. 4d
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ChaoticMissAdventures Finally, one of my favorites James Baldwin was an international treasure. A true to the word genius, but one who writes descriptive, everyday people in a gorgeous and moving way that anyone can pick up this book and understand it. I absolutely love this one, and have been reading it for pride the last few years. Set in the hot south of France it is perfect to kick off summer with. 4d
LeeRHarry I‘m onboard for Chorus of Witches. (edited) 4d
Kitta Excellent list! I‘ve been meaning to read Maurice for years. 4d
29 likes6 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Pickpick

This was a gem!
The first known published UK novel centering Drag Queens. While most of the book is actually about the 2 men that are enamored by Colin you get a lot of behind the scenes of the drag show, some very catty and dramatic queens (a bit characterized but still fun)
The writing is a product of its time (1959) but easy to read. Colin is slated as the heartless love interest but I strongly disagree! I liked & understood him.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
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This feels like the perfect book to read for an hour while doing a foot and an eye mask!

The first Drag novel ever published in the UK, this book was put out in 1959 and hold up pretty well (TW for black face/minstrel acts)

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 8mo
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BookmarkTavern
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@Reggie I just dropped this in the mail for you!

Thank you everyone for such a fun round of #LMPBC ! #Round20 #GroupQ @Bookzombie @psalva

Bookzombie @BookmarkTavern I‘m sorry to be a bother, but do you mind if I send your book out to you later in the month? Basically we closed on a house and it ended up being a lot more work than we thought. Now I‘m cleaning the rental we were in. It just hasn‘t led to a lot of sitting and reading time. I‘m so sorry for always taking so long. FYI @Reggie @psalva 11mo
BookmarkTavern @Bookzombie You are not a bother at all! I completely understand that life happens! You take your time, and I look forward to reading everyone‘s notes. And congrats on the house! 🎉🎉 11mo
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BookmarkTavern
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Pickpick

Backstage of a 1950s drag show, there‘s banter, romance, jealousy, and community. And the lives of a veteran, an artist, and a performer intersect in ways no one anticipated.

This was such an unexpected delight. I loved the banter between all the queens, & their support even as they heckled each other. There‘s a lot of POV hopping that works for the most part. & a twist on all of my expectations, with a satisfying resolution. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

BookmarkTavern Chapter 5, brief mention of spousal murder 11mo
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Kenyazero This sounds neat! Is it all told in one night? 11mo
BookmarkTavern @Kenyazero No, it takes place over a few weeks mostly. (edited) 11mo
Kenyazero @BookmarkTavern Very cool! 11mo
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BookmarkTavern
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It arrived yesterday! And the packaging matches the cover! 💖

@Bookzombie #GroupQ #Round20 #LMPBC

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psalva
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this read. It‘s one of those books that wasn‘t on my radar at all, and I‘m thankful to @Reggie for picking it for #LMPBC. The characters were all loveable, even the unlikeable ones/ones who had very little page time, and I found the ending so charming. I also found the writing extremely insightful about aspects of gay life, particularly the clash between “respectability” and public or open lifestyles. ⬇️ #catsoflitsy

psalva I think I may bring this to one of my local queer book clubs at some point. @BookmarkTavern 13mo
psalva @Bookzombie This is in the mail as of today. So sorry I‘m getting it out to you so late! My life these past two weeks has been messy. 13mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 13mo
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Bookzombie @psalva That‘s totally okay. 🙂 Your cat is so sweet! 13mo
Reggie lol, I loved the part where Colin and Jock got in a fight and I just thought, right before the knife throwing show?!!! I‘m glad you liked it, Peter. 😊 13mo
Bookzombie I got the book a couple of days ago. 🙂 13mo
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psalva
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My Saturday morning coffee read. I‘m about halfway through, and I‘m hoping to finish it this weekend. #LMPBC #GroupQ

Reggie Hope you like it! 13mo
BookmarkTavern I‘m so excited! 13mo
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Reggie
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Pickpick

@psalva This is on its way to you. Should be there Monday they said. Written in the UK during the 1950s we follow a young Colin who goes around performing in a drag troupe and his two suitors. This was better than I expected and all the feelings and attitudes are still relevant today. Pick!

vivastory Not book related, but have you watched Immaculate or Late Night With The Devil? Considering going to see one of them this weekend. I have heard great things about both. 1y
Reggie @vivastory I have not even heard of Late Night but I totally want to see that. I have Monday and Tuesday off so that‘s where I‘ll be. Thanks, Scott. 1y
vivastory I've heard several people I trust say that it's going to be one of the best of the year 1y
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psalva @Reggie I just retrieved it from the mailbox. I‘m excited to get to it! 1y
Reggie @vivastory so I just came back from Late Night with the Devil.lol, and I loved it. Have you watched the V/H/S anthologies? The last couple have taken place back in the 90s and 80s and it just felt like an elongated episode of one of the short stories that make up those movies. It has a good pace and just good stuff. 1y
vivastory @Reggie I hope to see Late Night etc in the next couple days. Glad to hear your endorsement! I have seen most of the V/H/S anthologies. I remember really liking the one set in '85 with the swimmers who come back for revenger. I also really liked the segment in '94 towards the end where the extremist group planned on using the vampire as a weapon 1y
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