Playing with Myself

 

Playing with Myself is an entertaining and full-throttle memoir/autobiography by Randy Rainbow (that's his actual real name, I never knew). Due out 19th April 2022 from Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 256 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

I can't remember which particular video was the first I saw, possibly Braggadocious in late 2016, but soon I was a firm fan and looked forward to the regular comedic distraction from the real-time horror-show train wreck that was the American healthcare and political arena of those days and years to follow. I live and work outside of the USA so it was difficult for me to see from afar (especially since I had family still living in the US at the time). 

This is a slightly more contemplative Randy Rainbow, in a longer format and with more background information. He discusses his early childhood, his school time and trauma and bullying as well as his supportive social circle peers. He's as flamboyant as ever, but also gives some insight into his performance persona. I enjoyed reading about his time as a Hooters host (on Broadway, naturally). 

Although it's very funny, and *he* is very funny and very much on throughout the book, there's a lot of openness and vulnerability, especially with regard to his relationship with his father and wider family, as well as some early adult trauma/abuse. I really think that this book could be of real value to other young people finding their way in their late adolescence / early adulthood to know they're not alone in their isolation. 

Four and a half stars. Definitely one for fans of Randy Rainbow as well as fans of musical theater, broadway, and memoirs/autobiography. This would also be a good choice for public library acquisition. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.