Beautiful People

Beautiful People is Simon Doonan's memoir of growing up as an eccentric child in 1950s and 60s Reading, England before making his way to London and eventually New York City. The narrative follows his path from a working-class background through his rise in the fashion and window display world. The book centers on the colorful characters who shaped Doonan's youth, including his flamboyant family members and the local misfits who became his chosen tribe. His mother Betty, father Terry, and mentally ill sister Shelagh feature prominently in stories that mix humor with occasional darkness. The settings shift from industrial England to the creative scenes of London and New York as Doonan pursues his artistic ambitions in visual merchandising and fashion. His professional evolution runs parallel to his personal journey as a gay man during a transformative period in LGBTQ+ history. The memoir explores themes of outsider identity and the power of embracing one's differences rather than trying to conform. Through his experiences, Doonan illustrates how the 'beautiful people' are often those who live authentically on society's margins rather than at its center.

Readers describe Beautiful People as a lighthearted memoir full of humor and outrageous stories from Doonan's life. Many reviews note his witty writing style and self-deprecating observations about growing up gay in Reading, England. Readers appreciated: - The authentic portrayal of eccentric family members - Sharp cultural commentary without meanness - Detailed fashion industry insights - Balance of humor and poignant moments Common criticisms: - Some found the writing style too flamboyant - Later chapters feel rushed compared to childhood stories - A few readers wanted more depth beyond humor Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (120+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Like having tea with your wittiest friend" - Goodreads reviewer "The family stories had me laughing out loud" - Amazon review "Sometimes tries too hard to be clever" - LibraryThing review

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🌟 Simon Doonan wrote this memoir while serving as the Creative Director of Barneys New York, where he was famous for his avant-garde window displays 🌟 The book chronicles Doonan's journey from a working-class childhood in Reading, England to becoming a fixture in New York's fashion scene 🌟 Several chapters focus on Doonan's experiences during the AIDS crisis in 1980s Los Angeles, where he lost many close friends in the creative community 🌟 The title "Beautiful People" is ironic, as Doonan celebrates the outsiders and eccentrics who shaped his life rather than conventional beauty 🌟 The memoir was adapted into a BBC Two television series in 2008, though it focused primarily on Doonan's childhood years in Reading