Oklahomo: Pee, Peeping, Police, Pistols, Puritans, Pedophiles, and a Witch

C. T. Madrigal's memoir is a beautifully written recollection of his tragically unchaperoned upbringing, including brutally honest details about his sexual awakening and the unfortunate path he had to take to become a drag queen. Madrigal includes pictures periodically which help convey his points throughout the novel, and eventually show what he looked like as a drag performer. The vocabulary throughout the novel is also generally humorous, and sounds conversational with readers. This book is perfect for all allies and LGBTQIA+ persons living in the midwest region, as Oklahomo details the struggles of growing up queer in such an environment.

I have known of the author for years in a very different capacity. He is hands down one of the finest international seller of high end vintage gowns. Perhaps the passion of a one time spectacular drag queen! I had no idea he was an author as well. His youth as a 14 year old gay living on the streets in “Oklahomo” will break your heart; yet somehow he turns to wicked humor and laughing out loud, all within a paragraph.You must follow up with his second book titled “Sanfransicko.” He holds no punches, though he has taken more than a few. His honesty throughout only makes me love him more. Congratulations on your success as an author; that you now dress movie stars is only fitting. My two favorite vintage dresses ever have been purchased from Christian; they are amazing pieces of art. You have traveled your journey well.Cate McQueen

Once I picked this book up, I could scarcely put it down. His disclaimer, acknowledgements, and preface were so velvety and fairly dripping with wit, they were enticement enough to continue reading. As a gay man, it was impossible not to relate to Mr. Madrigal's tale of childhood trauma and self-discovery, a journey of alienation and otherness peppered with 80’s nostalgia and biting commentary. I found myself laughing out loud; there were sections of the book where I was so thoroughly tickled, I had to put it down and collect myself (who hasn't suppressed a roiling fart in the middle of gym class?) I also found myself throwing my hand over my mouth in disbelief like a good Christian woman. The author shows you Big Trauma viewed through the lens of humor, making some horrific events seem a bit more digestible. His unapologetic tale flows effortlessly as he paints the self-portrait of a sensitive creative afloat in a sea of mediocrity, trying to hold together a tenuous Chosen Family and coming to terms with the dissolution of his biological one. This heroic teen drag queen somehow navigates those formative years with little else but the guidance and companionship of other discarded misfits and the occasional manipulative adult. This memoir is a must-read, but especially for queer outcasts everywhere – and we are Legion.I felt like I had found a friend in this book. Reading the many experiences he had growing up, some of them shared, I felt less alone in the world. I rarely write reviews of books - who can be bothered really? - but I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and I felt better at the end of it, and I was changed by it. I could only hope that you have a similar experience when reading it for yourself. San Fransicko, here I come!

Growing up in this city..... it's impossible not to see the parallels. Madrigal is hilarious.

One of those reads you don't want to put down. I love this book! Although the author had a tough road he used wit and insight to turn a difficult childhood into an entertaining story of survival. I recommended it to my book club and everyone enjoyed it. Looking forward to "San Fransicko: Receptionists, Adulterists, Larcenists, and Satanists" next.

What a surprise! Most memoirs I've read have been self-serving and poorly written (yet I can't stop hate reading them). This isn't one of those. I kept reading this one for GOOD reasons! Oklahomo is written with style and wit by someone who is apparently not afraid to make himself look bad in the service of truth (and humor). The life of this weird queer misfit in small towns in the 70's and 80's was harsh, fun, and ridiculous. So many of us can relate. If you'd like an all-American story with old school boozy broads, bikers, underage drag queens, crime, and even (gasp!) love, then this one's for you. The subtitle says a lot.

This book is not only of the best reads that should be on your bookshelf, but you want to read more and more of the life of Mr. Madrigal. It's very raw on how he grew up, his family, friends, and how he survived in small towns in Oklahoma. I hope that Mr. Madrigal writes a second book where the first book ends. I didn't want to stop reading and sad for the book to end. There are so many unanswered questions, I want to know "Where are they now", specifically his friends, former drag family, is the wig store still open?, and his family. This book is one of my favorites and have told several friends. It's completely different than any other gay memoir - which makes this book AMAZING. Crossing fingers there is a second book in the making.

I enjoy reading memoirs, especially those written by LGBTQ authors who don't hold back and share the good, the bad and the ugly experiences of their life. If you grew up in an idyllic Ozzy and Harriet, Leave It To Beaver or Father Knows Best household and never struggled with your sexual or gender identity, you will not understand or relate to any of Christian's story, so do not buy the book and then leave a negative, insensitive or flippant review. Christian writes from the heart in a direct, truthful (and at times, raw) manner that makes the narrative very easy to follow. Considering the lack of parental love, affection and guidance (not to mention rejection and outright hostility), being bullied and ostracized by students and teachers in school and being literally abandoned by those he thought were friends, it’s a wonder he survived his childhood and teenage years. This is a story of survival, told with wit and humor, that left me moved and inspired.