Cover Image: Naturally Tan

Naturally Tan

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Member Reviews

This is a insightful memoir of the life of Tanweer Wasim, otherwise more commonly known as Tan France, as one of the Fab Five of Queer Eye, a hit show on Netflix. It takes an easy, casual conversational approach that makes this a comfortable immersive reading experience as we learn of Tan's past and how he ended up on the much loved TV show in a non-linear narrative peppered with his fashion tips and advice. What makes this a fascinating read is that he is South Asian, gay and muslim, from a traditional and conservative family background, with a challenging childhood of growing up in Doncaster, Yorkshire, facing bullying and racism. He comes across as warm and humorous, a real personality, a fashion designer who worked his way through a myriad of jobs prior to his audition for Queer Eye. He relates falling in love with his husband, Rob, from Salt Lake City, a Mormon cowboy, giving us an endearing account of their relationship.

There are aspects off his life that Tan chooses to be less than forthcoming about, but that is his right and does not detract from the authenticity of who he is and the life he has lived. This is an entertaining, often humorous and thought provoking memoir in which Tan comes across as so very human, touching on important issues such as the experience of being a muslim gay man in our contemporary world. There was much that I could relate to, and Tan is open about who he is, his anxieties, dishing out life lessons such as the importance of being true to who and what you are, an important tenet of Queer Eye, a show that he gives us behind the scenes information about. Many thanks to Random House Ebury for an ARC.

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Reading this book is like having Tan in the room with you, chatting about his life. It's an interesting, funny and inspiring read. Tan is honest about his journey and lifts the lid on his experiences filming Queer Eye. There are also some nice styling tips included in each chapter.

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Conversational, yet substantive this is interesting, and decently written.

Chronicling a life of a South Asian man who has many life experiences, and is still relatable in his fame.

It’s a shame biography isn’t a seller in our shop.

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I’ve been a huge fan on Tan France ever since I watched the first episode of Queer Eye. I religiously French tuck my shirts now and more than anything, it’s nice seeing a brown face in a role that spreads some positivity. It gives me something to relate to. So, I was pretty chuffed to be accepted for an ARC copy of his book.

Naturally Tan gives an insight into how Tan France got to the place that he is today. He writes about his childhood, what it was like to be gay in a South-Asian, muslim community and his love of fashion. There were so many different parts of his life that made him what he is today that I hadn’t even thought about. We get to know how he went from job-to-job, set up a business, met his husband and eventually landed a role that we all know him so well for. Tan’s life had been far from straightforward.

There was a light tone to the book that make it easy to read but it still hit hard when you read about all the things that he’s struggled with throughout his life. The sass in this book was evident and I’ll forever appreciate Tan’s straight to the point writing. The book was a wealth of knowledge. Even though it’s the story of his life, there are a lot of life lessons that the reader can learn from it. Resilience, strength and hard work. I think they’re lessons that everyone can take heed of and apply to their lives.

And of course, would it really be Tan without him throwing some fashion advice in there? Of course not! I love how there were just seeded throughout the book and would always relate to the chapter you had just read. The book just flowed really well and I didn’t find a single moment dull when reading it. If anything, I just wanted to read more. Tan’s life is extraordinary and to be able to get the chance to see where he came from was extremely insightful.

Definitely a book to read when you’re feeling low, need some inspiration, or just need a bit of kick up the backside.

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I genuinely love each Fab 5 form 'Queer Eye' member equally. I love each of them for a different reason and I couldn't possibly choose between them at all. But with Tan, the reason is that I connect with him on a deeper level than the others. We're both British-Asian and with that we've both struggled to find that balance between culture and who we want to be in this contemporary world. I'm a girl all about representation. Tan speaks about this a lot in his book and I honestly couldn't relate more. I think it's one thing being Asian-American because although it may not seem like it, that's already a thing that's starting to climb up levels. I can relate to that stuff but to an extent. What I need is British-Asian representation, which at the moment is so underwhelming. Reading the issues that Tan faced with racism and just the way others treat people of colour resonated with me. I also completely got this struggle of identity with being too British for the Asian community or too Asian for the British community that you don't actually fit into any at all. I related to that a lot.

One thing that took me by surprise about this book was the brutal honesty. Tan is so, so candid about many things and actually, it's very insightful. From him calling out people from his past (yo, it made me think twice about all those people I've met in my life! I was shookth!) to the 'behind the scenes', non-glamorous parts of being famous, which I found really interesting. We always make it out like it's a very extravagant life being rich, famous and on a show that everyone loves so much. But Tan really brought it back down to Earth.

I'll admit, at first, I found it difficult to connect with the book because Tan is on the complete opposite spectrum to me when it comes to personality. Reading about his spontaneous past (the trip to New York!), I wouldn't have dared gone that far. But I loved it nonetheless. I'm always down for people using their authenticity to talk about not only their highs and achievements but the struggles they went through because believe it or not, everyone goes through it. Tan did it perfectly here .

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I love the Fab 5 and all things 'Queer Eye' so it was a given that I'd also love 'Naturally Tan'. It was very insightful and empowering for a British-Asian person like myself.

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For @tanfrance publication day is looming large. If you follow him, or any of the guys from @queereye, chances are you'll already have seen the promotions and recommendations.
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My contribution, however, is only going to be luke warm. I think Tan is adorable & like most people, I'm nosy about people who fascinate me. While I enjoyed the anecdotes & the behind the scenes look at Tan's life, I'm also recalling my distaste for autobiographies.
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Humans lie. It's what we do to make the days of our life bearable. That's not to say I think Tan is lying. I think he, like most writers, is as honest as he can be.
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I worry, in a pure & selfish way, if having read Natirally Tan, if I'll look at Queer Eye in the same way. I probably will but sometimes, I just know I should stick with the myth.
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3 stars [free ARC received from @netgalley in return for an honest review].

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I think this is the best celebrity memoir I have ever read! Tan’s voice comes across so clear and well - his stories are great and his advice no-nonsense. I adore him (and this book!).

4 stars because I found his feminism quite grating - I am very over women told to be nice to each other.

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Tan France is the fashion expert on Netflix show, Queer Eye. This is a fascinating look into his life story and the struggles he has faced with racism and depression, to finding love in an unlikely place.

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I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of this book - Queer Eye is such a great programme, and Tan’s my favourite of the presenters, as well as being quite an intriguing character.

Tan’s voice comes through very well, and the retelling of his many many jobs, and career progression to present day is absorbing. Stories of his family life growing up and casual racism are poignant, though not hugely detailed.

I very much enjoyed the style tips, stories about his new-found fame, and Queer Eye anecdotes. I do think it was rather disjointed and repetitive, but nonetheless a fun read, which any Q.E fan will enjoy.

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Naturally Tan was such a fun and insightful look into Tans life and his childhood and what shaped him into the person he is today. I really related to the parts about his upbringing and the many South Asian cultural references which he included in the book. I think this book is also a necessary and important for readers who want an insight into Tans life as a man of colour as well as his experiences being Muslim and part of the LGBT community. I also liked the parts where he talked about Queer Eye and his experience of how he was cast and his relationship with his co stars. Overall, it was a sweet, tongue in cheek and honest book and every page felt very real and honest.

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Naturally Tan is the memoir of Tan France and as a massive Queer Eye fan I was absolutely delighted to be accepted to read a copy!

This autobiography begins with Tan recounting his childhood as a gay, Pakistani boy growing up in South Yorkshire. As one of the few people of colour at his school, Tan experienced racism from an early age. The book describes how this has continued throughout his life, as he experiences racism in airports and whilst living in post-9/11 America. One of the great things about this book is that, along with being on a huge Netflix show, Tan uses his voice and platform to bring these issues to light and to talk particularly about the representation of British South Asians.

The book also covers how he got interested in fashion, working lots of jobs in his twenties before moving to America, meeting and falling in love with his husband Rob and what it was like to create his own business. The book is quite a breath of fresh air from usual celebrity memoirs, as it mixes autobiography with fashion advice and behind-the-scenes information on the Queer Eye show.

I loved this book, it made me laugh loads - particularly the sassy no-nonsense advice from Tan! The little fashion bits worked well being interwoven into the story, but it was also interesting to get an insight into his life and the show. A must read for Queer Eye fans, but also will be enjoyable for those who don't watch it.

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Tan France has always been the most interesting of the Fab Five to me. Whether it's because he's also English or because he handles the clothes, which is the aspect of the makeover I generally find most interesting, he's the one I've generally wanted to see most of on the screen. So, when he released this book I was of course, eager to give it a read. And the book delivers on that one quality that truly defines any autobiography - it reads just the same as he comes across on television. Given his very warm and friendly nature, that makes for a very welcoming book. It's also a little scattered, feeling a little stream of thought at times, but then that energy also helps connect to the persona on the screen. So while I did find myself occasionally thinking the stories had wandered off a little, I also get the impression that's exactly what talking to Tan in person would be like at times, so it is more endearing than irritating.

Despite flitting around a little the book does basically take a fairly predictable path. Childhood, early adult life, the moment of fame, and of course life since. It's not rigid in that because life naturally has some overlapping events, and Tan's style means that it flows comfortably. And so far I've mentioned the most important qualities of this book. Welcoming and comfort. I think that's where an autobiography can go that bit further than a generic interview.

The book eschews standard chapter numbering, even titling, preferring instead simple headings, and a fun little mosaic of sketches, that reference something which has varying significance in the following pages. There are random lists of tips or pieces of advice scattered around with sub-headings. It makes the book a little mix of everything else you might expect. It's not a style guide, but it has some style tips. Tan's observations on his own relationships extend to a little advice on what he thinks works in general. You never quite know if the next few pages will talk about the value of representation on TV for young gay South Asians (and others, but there's a clear baseline perspective) or where the hem of a jacket should sit to make someone look taller. Saying it like that makes it sound like it should be a mess, but it's a joy. Never getting too heavy while dealing with bigger issues, and never too light while talking about T-shirts. Tan's natural and conversational style allows the book to be that diverse without feeling awkward.

If you like Queer Eye, it's worth a read. There are tidbits about the show and the dynamics, and the way it's become such a success. If you like Tan, it should be top of your shopping list because it delivers exactly what you'd expect. If you're just trying to figure out who Tan France is, this book tells you that in a nice easy to digest format. A good, simple, autobiography that delivers on expectations and promise. Frankly, it's the kind of book that if you're reading reviews for it you can be happy you're the right audience for the book, so stop reading this and start reading the book.

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Naturally Tan is a funny, sassy and touching memoir from Tan France, star of Netflix's Queer Eye, in which he tells his origin story alongside fashion guidance and general life advice.

As a gay, South Asian Brit - one of the few people of colour growing up South Yorkshire at the time - Tan has a perspective on life which isn't often shared in the media or in popular culture. Although there is, as you'd expect, some unpleasant (to put it mildly) racial abuse, Tan's natural charm and humour shines through the writing, which keeps some serious topics light without trivialising them at all.

I really loved the way this book is written. The style is super conversational, and it genuinely feels like Tan is speaking directly to the reader. His stories about growing up, trying out every job under the sun, and meeting the love of his life are interesting and well told, and I absolutely loved the inclusion of Public Service Announcements and 'Do's and Don'ts' about style and dating. Naturally Tan also has some really cute chapter illustrations which add a little touch of detail to really help make it a special book.

I knew next-to-nothing about Tan before picking up this book. I found him funny on Queer Eye, but I never would have said I was a fan. I am now.

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I'm a huge 'Queer Eye' fan so when I heard that Tan had written an autobiography, I knew that I had to read it!

I thought it was a very down-to-earth memoir. I don't read a lot of celebrity memoirs because they can so easily become self-indulgent, and spend most of the pages showing off all the stuff/opportunities they have. This was not like that at all! I felt like it was written for other gay Pakistani boys, just like Tan, who never thought that they would see themselves represented on screen.

I really enjoyed the fact that I could hear Tan's voice throughout the book - it felt like he was reading it aloud to me! I think it was co-written with another person, but I definitely thought that it kept his personality throughout. Some of the structure was a bit all over the place, but that didn't really bother me.

One of the other things that I liked about the book was that although Tan does talk about some very private, painful moments, he still keeps part of his story to himself. For example, he does not talk about coming out to his immediate family, and he does not talk too much about being Muslim. I know from interviews that these are subjects that he doesn't feel comfortable talking about, and so I really respected him for continuing to keep these to himself. Even though he is a celebrity, it doesn't mean that he owes his entire story for the whole world to consume and judge.

I didn't think it was possible, but I think this book made me love Tan even more than I already did!

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I'm a huge fan of Queer Eye and was delighted to be approved to get an advanced copy of Tan's autobiography. It's an easy read and I finished it in a day. I still love Tan but I found the book a little disappointing at times. It's written fairly colloquially which I quite liked, but it does read more like a series of short interviews which have been transcribed rather than as an entire book. There's nothing wrong with that per se but I found it less satisfying than if it had been more book like. I understand that Tan has a need to keep parts of his life private, but that does become somewhat difficult when writing a life story. Lots of stuff is skimmed rather than explored. I also found his views on what and how to wear things rather proscriptive, although as he says, it's who he is and what he does for a living. I loved the sections where he talks about his husband. The love they have for each other shines through, which is wonderful, and it's here that you get a glimpse of the Tan I suspect he prefers to keep hidden from the public.

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A really interesting and insightful biography, from beginnings in the Uk to Hollywood life. This is entertaining and touching. A real look at Tan’s childhood, dealing with fear and ignorance. Real character and strength shine through, inspiring read.


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

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Naturally Tan is the autobiography of Queer Eye’s resident stylist Tan France, and follows his path from South Yorkshire to Salt Lake City, with some great style tips thrown in for good measure.

I always like Tan on Queer Eye. He comes across as very genuine, caring and takes his role with great responsibility. In fact, all of the guys do, and that’s why I love the show. So it was nice to read about Tan’s childhood and uncover a little bit about who Tan really is. Early on there’s depictions of some awful racism that capture the fear Tan must have felt everyday just because he wasn’t white. To hear that everything he says becomes the voice of either the gay community, and the South Asian community, must leave a heavy weight of responsibility on his shoulders - but he manages it with pride and passion. It was also great to read how he was cast on the show, and what he actually did for a living before.

At some points the text doesn’t really flow all that well. It’s a bit stilted, and the story is a bit all over the place without a proper coherent structure. Having said that, I did like the little injections of styling tips every now and again, I just wish they were more seamlessly integrated into the text. This hasn’t been written by a natural story teller, and it shows, but there is a large amount of heart and fans of Tan and Queer Eye are bond to love this.

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I love the Queer Eye show and was intrigued to find out more about Tan. The beginning of the book feels like a heart to heart over a cup of tea. I was moved by his early childhood experiences, it was insightful to hear about his early struggles and how he made his own way through life. I loved hearing about how he came to be on the show and how it changed his life but not his outlook. There’s something for everyone, lots of style advice and personal opinions. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

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“Brown people cannot run through an airport even if we are late for a flight.”

Tanweer ‘Tan’ France is one of the Fab Five from Netflix’s Queer Eye. He’s the fashion expert and is a Pakistani Muslim from Doncaster.

I’m not one to watch reality TV or makeover shows, so I didn’t expect to love Queer Eye, but I do and Tan is a huge part of that. The Fab 5 are wonderful, but seeing reserved British Yorkshire Desi Tan on screen absolutely makes it.

I also don’t really read memoirs, but when I got the chance for this ARC I snapped it up. I know Tan was from Doncaster so I was excited to find out about his life. He’s very relatable, with the conservative community, the restrictions, the friends and family.

This memoir is as I expected, a light look at his life with a few dips into detail. Tan is exactly like he is on the show, he’ll let you in a little way, then slam down the shutters when it’s enough. It’s really relatable for the Desi community and I’m not surprised.

“I remember thinking I always had to be polite, always be nice, always be kind. You can’t be another crazy brown person who’s upset; you have to show them you’re just like they are—bright, white, and smiley.”

Tan doesn’t shy away from touching on the outright racism, subtle micro aggressions and thoughtless but harmful words that he’s experienced in his life. He talks about being chased and beaten by bullies as a child to how people in America treat him badly because he’s Asian. He doesn’t pull his punches and it’s a better book for that.

He touches on his relationships, how he always knew he was gay, how that felt in his community, leading on to his marriage with Rob France in Salt Lake City. He doesn’t go into great detail but it’s clear they have a strong relationship. He’s very frank about the glossy side of his life but just as honest about the hardships of celebrity.

You know it’s Tan because he dips in and out of fashion and life advice all the time, commenting more than once that he does love to be right. In fact, the writing captures Tan’s voice incredibly well, you can hear him speaking. I burned through this and enjoyed every page and I can imagine most Queer Eye fans will as well.

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I only recently started watching Queer Eye, and Tan has always been my favourite partly because he comes from South Yorkshire where I live.
I enjoyed the format of the book with fashion tips and personal anecdotes alongside his honesty about his depression, and racism which celebrity is no barrier against it.
I understand he doesn't want the glare of publicity on his family or husband but I would've liked to learn more about coming out to his family and the role religion played in his and his husband's lives - maybe volume 2?
Also, just a personal peeve - how can he (or his editors) not know there are pawnbrokers /pawn shops all over the uk?! At least 20 of them in South Yorkshire!

Thank you to netgalley and Penguin Random house for an advance copy of this book.

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