One of the most recognisable figures in showbusiness today, RuPaul Charles’ success has been no less than astronomical, with successful song after smash-hit television series marking the Queen of Drag a defining name in the hearts and minds of many. However, RuPaul’s recent book The House of Hidden Meanings sadly falls short of the legend’s reputation, leaving a shell-shocked reader with a shallow pit in their stomach as the pages come to a close.
Posed as a memoir of Charles’ life and career, The House of Hidden Meanings is a sobering walkthrough of some of Charles’ formative years, that is not scared to go into sometimes explicit detail of some of the hardships the TV personality has faced. Whilst the willingness to explore often-taboo subjects so boldly is admirable, there are points where this goes beyond explanation and feels akin to trauma-dumping.
Whether it’s a friend’s struggles with drug abuse that leads them to rehab, Charles’ own period of homelessness and the abusive relationships that existed with his parents, there are moments the book forces its reader to contend with very serious issues with very little prior warning or consideration of the extent of details it imparts.
An unbridled insight is appreciated, especially as it allows us to understand more of what has formed Charles as the personality we all know and love, but greater editorial oversight is needed over several sections of this book, as it often comes across, I assume, differently to how it was meant.
There are, however, significant passages and occasional easter eggs that make this publication still well worth reading. Finding out Charles starred as Riff Raff in a theatre production of The Rocky Horror Show, and his journey to discovering who he truly was and how he identified was a fantastic factor to explore, especially as someone who has struggled with similar difficulties herself.
And there are many points within this book that beautiful and poetic wisdom is imparted by Charles on his readers, with a variety of quotes covering almost all aspects of life embedded in his words that are no less than deeply philosophical and make readers pause for thought. An unexpected twist that kept me looking for small titbits of knowledge throughout, Charles’ use and mastery of language is a particularly underreported fact.
The House of Hidden Meanings is a wild mixed-bag of excitement and emotion, and a fair helping of dark and deep topics. Not for those easily startled, the book does a good job at exploring RuPaul Charles’ career development, but often goes above acceptable levels of detail and borders on trauma-dumping techniques. With an exciting story embedded in its pages, the book is worth a read if you are able to handle the extent of the details covered, but may be one to check content warnings for before you get started!
Rating: ★★★☆☆
The House of Hidden Meanings (ISBN: 978-0-00-861494-2) was published in 2024
