The House of Impossible Beauties
SKU: 84905690676

The House of Impossible Beauties

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The House of Impossible BeautiesNAMED A RECOMMENDED BOOK OF 2018 BY Buzzfeed The Wall Street Journal The Millions Southern Living Bustle Esquire Entertainment Weekly Nylon Mashable Libary Journal Thrillist "Cassaras's propulsive and profound first novel, finding one's home in the world particularly in a subculture plagued by fear and intolerance from society comes with tragedy as well as extraordinary personal freedom." Esquire A gritty and gorgeous debut that follows a cast of gay

NAMED A RECOMMENDED BOOK OF 2018 BY Buzzfeed - The Wall Street Journal - The Millions - Southern Living - Bustle - Esquire - Entertainment Weekly - Nylon - Mashable - Libary Journal - Thrillist

"Cassaras's propulsive and profound first novel, finding one's home in the world--particularly in a subculture plagued by fear and intolerance from society--comes with tragedy as well as extraordinary personal freedom." -- Esquire

A gritty and gorgeous debut that follows a cast of gay and transgender club kids navigating the Harlem ball scene of the 1980s and '90s, inspired by the real House of Xtravaganza made famous by the seminal documentary Paris Is Burning

It's 1980 in New York City, and nowhere is the city's glamour and energy better reflected than in the burgeoning Harlem ball scene, where seventeen-year-old Angel first comes into her own. Burned by her traumatic past, Angel is new to the drag world, new to ball culture, and has a yearning inside of her to help create family for those without. When she falls in love with Hector, a beautiful young man who dreams of becoming a professional dancer, the two decide to form the House of Xtravaganza, the first-ever all-Latino house in the Harlem ball circuit. But when Hector dies of AIDS-related complications, Angel must bear the responsibility of tending to their house alone.

As mother of the house, Angel recruits Venus, a whip-fast trans girl who dreams of finding a rich man to take care of her; Juanito, a quiet boy who loves fabrics and design; and Daniel, a butch queen who accidentally saves Venus's life. The Xtravaganzas must learn to navigate sex work, addiction, and persistent abuse, leaning on each other as bulwarks against a world that resists them. All are ambitious, resilient, and determined to control their own fates, even as they hurtle toward devastating consequences.

Told in a voice that brims with wit, rage, tenderness, and fierce yearning, The House of Impossible Beauties is a tragic story of love, family, and the dynamism of the human spirit.

--Esquire

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Ecco Press
Published: 11/06/2018
ISBN: 9780062676993
Pages: 416
Weight: 0.65lbs
Size: 7.90h x 5.20w x 1.20d
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SKU: 84905690676

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4.1 ★★★★★
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Mark
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Solid coffee, good intro to Lavazza
Flavor Name: Espresso, Size: 35.2 Ounce (Pack of 1)
I've used this and it's genuinely good coffee. The 100% Arabica beans produce a smooth, clean cup with a nice aroma and solid crema. No bitterness, easy to drink and works well in both espresso and drip. That said, if you're deciding between this and the Lavazza Barista Gran Crema or Qualita Oro, I'd go with those every time. The flavor is richer, the crema is thicker and the overall experience is just a step above. This one is still a solid 4.5 in my book, rounding up to 5, but the Gran Crema and Oro are my personal go to. If you're new to Lavazza this is a great starting point. You won't be disappointed.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2026
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Alex
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 4
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Great Coffee, but Price Fluctuates a Lot
Flavor Name: Espresso, Size: 35.2 Ounce (Pack of 1)
The Lavazza Espresso whole bean coffee is very good quality. The medium roast is smooth, balanced, and works well for espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos. Beans grind evenly and produce a nice crema. My only issue is the price instability. Sometimes it’s around $17, which is an excellent value, but other times it jumps to $26, which feels high for the same product. Because of this, it’s best to watch the price and buy when it drops. Overall, great coffee with consistent flavor — just keep an eye on pricing before purchasing.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2026
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Nik
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
My everyday espresso bean — fresh-ground changes everything
Flavor Name: Espresso, Size: 35.2 Ounce (Pack of 1)
I've gone through more bags of this than I can count — it's become my default espresso bean and I don't see that changing. I grind it fresh for espresso and the difference vs. pre-ground is immediately noticeable — more crema, better aroma, cleaner taste. If you're still buying pre-ground, this is a good reason to stop. Flavor-wise it's smooth and approachable — medium roast means no harsh bitterness, no aggressive dark-roast smokiness. Just clean, well-balanced espresso. The 100% Arabica shows; it doesn't have that robusta edginess you get in cheaper blends. The 2.2lb bag is good value compared to buying smaller bags or anything from a specialty roaster. For everyday home espresso, the price-to-quality ratio is hard to beat. Only mild gripe: the bag isn't the most resealable after the first open — I transfer mine to an airtight container. Minor inconvenience for a bean this good.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2026
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Kindle Customer
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
New Favorite Coffee
Flavor Name: Espresso, Size: 35.2 Ounce (Pack of 1), Flavor Name: Espresso, Size: 35.2 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Let me start out by saying I am a coffee fiend. I drink it all hours of the night and day and I've tried just about every brand you can think of. I took a chance ordering this and I'm so glad I did! Reading the other reviews helped me so I hope this helps someone else, too. No one is paying me for my opinion, I'm not getting a single thing for writing this except the satisfaction of reporting on a quality product. Not only is it a good price for how much you get, (09/25- $22 for 35.2 oz) but this is some of the smoothest coffee I've ever tasted. The beans are so shiny and just pretty. They're not all dried out and dull and dessicated looking like some coffees... The beans smell so good in the bag and even better once I've ground them. They grind up very quickly and easily too. There's no bitter aftertaste. Just pure, delightful, delicious coffee. I got the 5/10 espresso, and it's perfect for me. it's just strong enough. I like medium-strong roasts, so if you prefer darker or lighter roasts they have plenty of other options. I use both a drip coffee pot and a French press and this works beautifully in both. The crema in the French press is gorgeous. It's so far above other brands- even Seattle's best and eight o clock and Cameron's, which I thought I really liked... They don't hold a candle to this. I can't wait to try the other flavors.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2025
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Artsiom Tozik
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Good Beans for Home Espresso
Flavor Name: Espresso, Size: 35.2 Ounce (Pack of 1)
I’ve been using these beans daily for about two weeks in my espresso machine, and they’ve been really consistent. The flavor is smooth and easy to drink, with a mild nutty note and low acidity. It’s not overly bitter, which I personally like for everyday coffee. One thing I noticed — you do need to dial in the grind a bit to get the best crema, but once you do, it comes out pretty nice. On the downside, the aroma and intensity are a little on the lighter side. If you’re into strong, bold espresso, this might not hit that mark. Overall, this is a great everyday option — especially if you want something smooth and reliable without too much bitterness. Good value for the size too.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2026

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