Episode 6 - The House of Impossible Beauties by Joseph Cassara

In our sixth episode we look at The House of Impossible Beauties by Joseph Cassara, a fictionalized biographical novel which depicts the lives of various members of the House of Xtravaganza. Made famous in the documentary Paris is Burning, The House of Xtravaganza resides in the middle of late 80s New York where the ballroom scene is exploding with life. The book takes a dive into the chosen family and the struggles of its members through poverty, racism, and gender discrimination, while also showing in heartbreaking detail, the impact of the AIDS epidemic on this queer community. An intimate look at queer history, The House of Impossible Beauties is an enjoyable read serving some really important truths along the way.