Naturally Tan – Book Review

Title: Naturally Tan

Author: Tan France

Number of Pages: 267 pages

Publisher: St. Martin’s Books

Publication Date: June 4, 2019

Purchase: Amazon

My Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In this heartfelt, funny, touching memoir, Tan France, star of Netflix’s smash-hit QUEER EYE tells his origin story for the first time. With his trademark wit, humor, and radical compassion, Tan reveals what it was like to grow up gay in a traditional Muslim family, as one of the few people of color in Doncaster, England. He illuminates his winding journey of coming of age, finding his voice (and style!), and how he finally came out to his family at the age of 34, revealing that he was happily married to the love of his life–a Mormon cowboy from Salt Lake City.

In Tan’s own words, “The book is meant to spread joy, personal acceptance, and most of all understanding. Each of us is living our own private journey, and the more we know about each other, the healthier and happier the world will be.”

My Thoughts:

This memoir is filled with advice and some fashion tips that sound like it is coming from your best friend. I have really adored Tan since Queer Eye came out and this book was at the top of my most anticipated releases. The insight to his childhood and his marriage is something that you would never be able to see and understand if it came out during the run of the show. You learn that he was very mischievous as a child and it somewhat carried into adulthood.

His narrative style is witty, charming, and just so full of him. I can picture him saying all of this which is really nice because it carries the charm that everyone knows. He also does not hesitate to point out his flaws and the mistakes he made which is honestly something that I rarely see when reading memoirs. The book reads almost as if you are having a conversation with him while having coffee.

The struggles and hardships that he has faced, especially the racism, was jarring. He has come out as a very strong person and that speaks to his morals and convictions.

I highly recommend this book especially if you like Tan and want to know more about him. It is a very quick read because it sucks you in.

What books are you currently reading? Any recommendations?