Curtis Campbell, The House of Rural Realness, University of Queensland Press, February 2025, 272 pp., RRP $21.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780702268885
Curtis Campbell is not your everyday Australian author and he isn’t an Australian writer. He is however a well-praised Canadian writer with a strong background in comedy and theatre, bringing a bold, gay voice to young adult literature with The House of Rural Realness.
Published in Australia, February 2025 by the University of Queensland Press, the story follows Peter Thompkin, a queer teen whose reputation suffers after a verbal confrontation. To redeem himself, Peter becomes the producer of Mason County’s first drag show, teamed with his best friend Alan, also known as teen drag queen Aggie Culture.
The book is written using American English spelling, keeping the author’s original voice. The story could be relevant to Australian rural youth 14+, particularly gay teens growing up in small communities.
In rural Australia, young LGBTQIA+ people are often less likely to disclose their sexual orientation due to the risk of discrimination. Campbell’s novel helps fill an important gap in the LGBTQIA+ Young Adult market which Australian publishers are increasingly supporting.
This book has a lot of wit and it’s a positive addition for queer stories in literature. While it doesn’t speak directly from Australia, it offers young teens navigating identity issues outside of major cities a meaningful resource, complimented with teaching notes for secondary schooling.
Reviewed by Chantelle Ciccotosto
