Week 12 - Prompt Response

 

Readers' Advisory Matrix

The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaul

1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?

Highly narrative (reads like fiction)

2. What is the subject of the book?

RuPaul's life, from childhood through adulthood, speaking to both the emotional and physical obstacles he dealt with, as well as the relationships he forged, on the road to becoming a celebrity.

3. What type of book is it?

A memoir.

4. Articulate appeal

What is the pacing of the book?  

Fast-paced

Describe the characters of the book.

RuPaul is the focus of the memoir, but he also describes and relates to others who impacted his life in meaningful ways, including his mother, father, three sisters, best friend Lady Bunny, and future love Georges LeBar.

How does the story feel?

Reflective, emotional, and full of brutal honesty.

What is the intent of the author?

To share his viewpoint and experiences of the path he took towards the celebrity status he holds today.

What is the focus of the story?

The cumulative journey, including both the ups and downs, of RuPaul's life and how he became an acclaimed superstar.

Does the language matter?

Yes, the language used by RuPaul makes the narrative all the more engrossing.

Is the setting important and well described?

The varied settings throughout the telling of RuPaul's life are very important, as they contribute to what he experienced and how; they are also well-described.

Are there details and, if so, of what?

Yes, RuPaul uses details very effectively in describing the people he encountered and his own emotions/mindset during the milestones throughout his life.

Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?

N/A

Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?

Yes to all three points - RuPaul eloquently and concisely relates how he ultimately came to learn from and understand the experiences he went through in the time frame his memoir spans.

5. Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?

1. Learning about the author's experiences, firsthand

2. Tone

3. Language

Reference

Brautigam, F. (2017, March 27). Readers' advisory secrets - A conversation with Becky Spratford. Public Libraries Online. https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/03/readers-advisory-secrets-a-conversation-with-becky-spratford/