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.
.
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.
.
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.
.
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.
.
3 stars [free ARC received from @netgalley in return for an honest review].

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

“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.

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.

This is an entertaining read about Tan France's life. At the moment, I'd say it's probably mostly of interest to tv show Queer Eye fans, as so much of what he discusses is linked to the show, and the show affects the format too (after all, you don't get fashion tips in most autobiographies).

The majority of the chapters are set around themes of specific incidents in Tan's life. He starts off talking about being a young child and the horrific racism he experienced. This was all too easy for me to imagine, growing up as I did in a very white area in the 80s when racism (for those with privilege) was seen more as a joke than a problem.

You soon see that his innate personality (his desire for fashion and to be his true quirky self) was there right from the very beginning. It's funny but unsurprising when you find out he spent his first paycheck as a teen on a seamstress to make him custom clothes.

His voice, that we see on Queer Eye, is clearly present in the text. He comes across as forthright and honest in his writing style. Sometimes with autobiographies, you get writers who string together a few nice anecdotes but skip over anything you might actually want to read about. Naturally Tan largely avoids that. There's plenty of his life he doesn't share, sure, but you feel that he is being authentic with the excerpts he has chosen to talk about. Why else reveal that a comment from a girl at school years ago led him to using mouthwash multiple times a day even now? (And I like how he shows that one cruel comment can have a long-lasting effect on people).

Much of the book is taken up with how young Tan turned into business Tan, then living in America Tan, then Queer Eye Tan, and there are lots of interesting things going on there. I enjoyed finding out how they cast Queer Eye and how he likes the other cast members - even if there aren't many specific anecdotes about them outside of that.

On occasion, you might find he's a bit too certain on his assumptions - that the British don't know the word 'pawn' as in pawn shop, for example (I did - no pawn shops near me either, but I was aware of the concept). You might wonder why an autobiography has the aforementioned fashion tips scattered throughout. You might want to know more about his relationship with Queer Eye's Fab Five. But for now he gives us enough to make an entertaining book, and I was satisfied with that.

firstly I just want to say thank you to Netgalley for giving me an early EARC of this book. which I love very much

If you don't know who Tan France is he is the fashion expert on the hit Netflix show Queer Eye an also one of my favourites from the Fab 5 so when I heard he was bringing out a memoir I was so happy.

this book was such a good book because of how down to earth Tan is as a person and u can just see that with what he writes down in the book. he isn't one person to keep hat he wants to say to himself, If he has got something on his mind he will say it which he says sometimes got him in trouble but overall is very good to be outspoken. he doesn't shy away from anything of how he is feeling if someones upset him he will tell them.

what I also loved was just hearing about his childhood and growing up and the many jobs he has between the ages of 16-17 to early 20's which was really funny and aswell just hearing about his relationship with his husband rob which was so sweet of how they met and it just shows u that not all long distance relationships are a disaster.

I really loved how he told us all about everything from him knowing he was always gay to the process of going through the auditions to become one of the fab 5 on Queer Eye which was very interesting the hear about. what made me laugh is how while your reading if u have watched the show u can just hear his voice and his tone while your reading.


for me I don't think there was really a fault to say because its bout someones life and I'm not going to comment anything bad if there was anyway.

if I was rating the book I would give it a 5/5 stars but because its a person life it isn't right to star them.

Irrepressible Tan France has written a fun memoir that feels very honest and spontaneous. At times it feels like he is suffering from impister syndrome, and he cannot believe his luck. He has certainly come a long way from Doncaster to wildly successful businessman to part of the Fab Five. Tan is very frank, and can be a bit defensive, but it all adds to his charm. At the centre is a charming love story with his husband Rob.
Well worth a read.

I had never watched Queer Eye before reading this book but a few of my friends really like Tan so I thought I’d give it a go. I really enjoyed this and found it interesting and accessible. I had to pause midway through to start watching episodes of the show on Netflix and am now hooked! You don’t need to watch Queer Eye to “get” this book but it will definitely enhance your enjoyment of it.

I have only discovered Queer Eye but love the show for the honesty and warmth the Fab 5 show everyone. This book is the same Tan's voice shines as he talks about his childhood, life before QE and now. It is honest and made me like him more for just being himself and how grounded he is.

I was pretty obsessed with Queer Eye when the reboot first came out (I don't normally like shows of this kind but something about QE struck a chord with me), and have followed the guys' careers since the show began - specifically listening to Jonathan Van Ness's podcast Getting Curious which is where I became more interested in Tan's story. In one of the podcast episodes Tan recounted to Jonathan some stories of his early years growing up in Doncaster, and it was a really emotional listen. So when I heard Tan was writing a memoir I was excited to get my hands on it to find out more about his life and background.

On balance I think that I'm not quite a big enough of a fan to read an entire book on his life, or at least not in the way this memoir was presented. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad memoir at all, and I think most fans of the show will find it an enjoyable read - readers get to learn more about how he got cast in the show, some background of how the shooting of the show works and how Tan dealt with the aftermath of the release of the show, all of which made for interesting reading. Tan's voice also comes through well, and I can imagine this being a great audiobook.

The parts of the book which didn't work for me were the style tips - I guess these were kind of to be expected given Tan's role in the show but they jarred for me as they felt randomly and almost arbitrarily inserted into the narrative. The book also felt repetitive at times and I'd find myself thinking "I'm sure you mentioned that a few chapters ago...", an issue which the almost formulaic structure of each chapter exacerbated.

All in all this was an easy and reasonably engaging read, and had fun insights for fans of the show, it just had a few issues which I found hard to overlook.