I, like the majority of people, first became aware of Bob The Drag Queen when he won season eight of Rupaul’s Drag Race. However, I fell in love with Bob on the HBO series We’re Here where his empathy, intelligence and humor really shined and continues to shine in his new novel “Harriet Tubman: Live In Concert.”
I was lucky enough to buy a ticket to Bob’s book tour when it stopped at The Strand Bookstore in New York City a couple weeks ago, where he was in discussion with fellow Drag Race alum, Peppermint. Years ago I saw Peppermint in the Broadway show “Head Over Heels” which was one of the best shows I’ve seen, so these two powerhouses were the perfect pairing, in my gay opinion.
“Harriet Tubman: Live In Concert” isn’t my usual type of book because its based on mostly non-fictional characters and true stories, which I tend to shy away from. However, Bob’s fictional story revolves around music producer Darnell’s work with Harriet Tubman, who has come back to life, to bring her story and that of the underground railroad to the stage through a Hip Hop album and production. Bob respectfully takes creative liberties with the historical figures and subject matter. Bob’s book is most entertaining when it comes to Darnell’s made-up past but incorporates enough of Harriet’s real-life past to be educational. At a time when so much history is being white-washed away, its empowering to read a book that is keeping history alive in a creative way.
