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Riding Drag
A Chinese-American traveling salesman and snake oil salesman picks up a runaway prostitute who's not what she seems -- but when trying to survive on the margins of late 19th-century frontier society, no one is. Contains cross-dressing, deceptive gender-bending, and (as the title might imply) more than one kind of drag.
Words:22549 complete
Art by staringatsuns
Words:22549 complete
Art by staringatsuns
68 pages, free online
First published February 24, 2013
179 people want to read
About the author
Shukyou
44 books85 followersI'm W2 (pronounced 'whit-two'), also known as ladysisyphus, shukyou, and Whitney Bishop.
You can find all my stories written as 'shukyou' at http://www.shousetsubangbang.com/mirr..., and you can find most of those same stories (without illustrations) plus some fanfic at http://archiveofourown.org/users/lady....
I'm also the editor-in-chief of http://shousetsubangbang.com/ , where we put out nine delightfully dirty issues of short stories and art a year! We're always looking for new participants, so if you're interested, check out the website.
I also do other things in my real life, hence the pseudonymity. But I promise I'm friendly!
You can find all my stories written as 'shukyou' at http://www.shousetsubangbang.com/mirr..., and you can find most of those same stories (without illustrations) plus some fanfic at http://archiveofourown.org/users/lady....
I'm also the editor-in-chief of http://shousetsubangbang.com/ , where we put out nine delightfully dirty issues of short stories and art a year! We're always looking for new participants, so if you're interested, check out the website.
I also do other things in my real life, hence the pseudonymity. But I promise I'm friendly!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 28, 2016
celestial.
couldn't possibly have been improved. not even with a little burt reynolds.
lovely, diamond-edged writing somehow as compassionate as it is sharply unsentimental.
i live for stories like this.
couldn't possibly have been improved. not even with a little burt reynolds.
lovely, diamond-edged writing somehow as compassionate as it is sharply unsentimental.
i live for stories like this.
November 20, 2013
Brilliant. Just brilliant.
If you don't like historicals, don't be scared off. This has such a sense of immediacy that you're right there with the characters.
It's sweet, and fun, and hot, but it doesn't gloss over the historical details. You think being of Chinese descent on the American frontier was hard? Try being a cross-dressing male prostitute.
Shukyou gives us two wonderful characters here, totally mismatched except where it counts: inside. And this story works, on every level.
I really can't recommend this one enough. And it's FREE!
If you don't like historicals, don't be scared off. This has such a sense of immediacy that you're right there with the characters.
It's sweet, and fun, and hot, but it doesn't gloss over the historical details. You think being of Chinese descent on the American frontier was hard? Try being a cross-dressing male prostitute.
Shukyou gives us two wonderful characters here, totally mismatched except where it counts: inside. And this story works, on every level.
I really can't recommend this one enough. And it's FREE!
January 25, 2014
Two lonely souls found each other...
A beautiful, different kind of a western story.
It is my second book of shukyou and I have admit that I'm very pleasantly surprised by her writing skills.
Not to mention that you can read it for free!..
January 20, 2014
In 50 pages, Shukyou paints a picture of a vividness that many authors are unable to achieve in 200 pages - not because of detailed descriptions, but because of a dexterity with language and words that makes you feel and breathe the time and place this story is set in.
The plotline is simple but effective, the characters are brilliant, lovable and amusing; it's a fucking gem is what this is.
The plotline is simple but effective, the characters are brilliant, lovable and amusing; it's a fucking gem is what this is.
August 9, 2016
Can two scheming survivors that hide behind and use social norms, facades and prejudices for profit, fun and protection stop pretending long enough to find something real?
In this Wild West world of small towns, wagon trails, and saloons—Wu and “the kid” (aka Dahlia, Reuben, and more) find each other. They form a fast, fun friendship that clicks. I do love the way they click! Haha...The sexy shenanigans kick off from there! My favorite part was how quietly these two slipped right into my heart. A matter-of-fact, calm, easy banter develops between these two that will sneak right up on you. This is one of my favorite bits….
”By all accounts I’m going to Hell, where I’ll service the Devil and his minions for the rest of eternity with all of my various holes.”
Wu quirked his mouth into a sly smile. “In other words, you’re looking forward to it.” Hehe….
But can these two stop scheming and acting long enough to really SEE each other?
”Decades leading a solitary, nomadic life, and now the kid he’d known for a little over four days could make Wu live and die by his smile.”
Riding Drag captures one of those rare and wonderful moments where two people find the courage to reveal their true, stripped down to the bone selves. Share themselves. The honesty, acceptance, and care that slowly develop on the page between Wu and the kid are truly stunning.
Another gorgeous story by shukyou fueled by a quiet power. A power that I can’t seem to get enough of.
p.s.
If I could bring back one old time nonverbal gesture-- it would be the *tip of the hat*. I adore it. It can say and show so much. Respect, attitude, hello, and goodbye. All with that little tug on the brim. *sigh* I’m a sucker for it.
August 4, 2013
Also available on Archive of Our Own.
I love the way this one plays with expectations and in the end has a very beautiful, sexy, and in the end heartwarming result. It's far, far from a conventional romance, but man, is it a good one to read.
I love the way this one plays with expectations and in the end has a very beautiful, sexy, and in the end heartwarming result. It's far, far from a conventional romance, but man, is it a good one to read.
January 25, 2014
"Velly solly, honorable sirs," he said, all the while thinking, fuck your mothers.
Possibly the best opening sentence ever.
This was fun: 3.5
Review later.
Possibly the best opening sentence ever.
This was fun: 3.5
Review later.
November 15, 2024
What an enchanting little story! And again, all the good stuff is for free. Imagine that!
Wu and Şehzade are amazing characters. Each with layers upon layers to peel away till you can find their core, each wise in the way of the world. A chance meeting and they cross paths, yet little do they know how greatly their lives will change. I slowed my reading just so I can enjoy the story just a little bit longer.
If you like historical settings, original plot twists and characters that pull at your heart strings, this is it for you.
Thank you Emma for showing me this!!!
Wu and Şehzade are amazing characters. Each with layers upon layers to peel away till you can find their core, each wise in the way of the world. A chance meeting and they cross paths, yet little do they know how greatly their lives will change. I slowed my reading just so I can enjoy the story just a little bit longer.
If you like historical settings, original plot twists and characters that pull at your heart strings, this is it for you.
Thank you Emma for showing me this!!!
February 26, 2014
This one was slow to build, both in story and in my own investment as a whole. The characters on the other hand, yeah, those I was on board with from the git go, even if I did figure things out from that same git go.
I should just trust this author. Track record shows.
I love the setting and these two men, both quite ordinary and yet not.
This once again shows how versatile this writer is. I can diggit and do.
About half way through, I was totally pulled in, it was unavoidable and I didna' care one wee bit. It got hot and tender and very honest and completely human. Again, something this writer can tap into at will. Which I know actually isn't the case, it's not at all easy, but she makes it feel that way. <<< Good writing, peeps.
I didn't know until the end how it would end, and what came right before that was bliss. BLISS, I tells ya. bliss
It's a given that I will keep plowing through her wordly things.
I should just trust this author. Track record shows.
I love the setting and these two men, both quite ordinary and yet not.
This once again shows how versatile this writer is. I can diggit and do.
About half way through, I was totally pulled in, it was unavoidable and I didna' care one wee bit. It got hot and tender and very honest and completely human. Again, something this writer can tap into at will. Which I know actually isn't the case, it's not at all easy, but she makes it feel that way. <<< Good writing, peeps.
I didn't know until the end how it would end, and what came right before that was bliss. BLISS, I tells ya. bliss
It's a given that I will keep plowing through her wordly things.
May 6, 2021
Very original story. You dive straight into the story, the first line is full of character and reels you in.
A Chinese Mediciner and Purveyor of Oriental Remedies aka conman and a young cross-dressing male whore, so not your average western.
There's nothing sentimental or cloying about the writing or the characters and yet they make for an engaging read and manage to be completely endearing with their little vulnerabilities hidden behind the banter. The end is heartwarming.
Wu is a canny individual and the kid in all his various guises is saucy, proud and fascinating.
The story is in turns funny, teasing and very hot. The writing is among Shukyou's best. A simple story with a whole lot of charm.
"Velly solly, honorable sirs," he said, all the while thinking, fuck your mothers.
A Chinese Mediciner and Purveyor of Oriental Remedies aka conman and a young cross-dressing male whore, so not your average western.
There's nothing sentimental or cloying about the writing or the characters and yet they make for an engaging read and manage to be completely endearing with their little vulnerabilities hidden behind the banter. The end is heartwarming.
Wu is a canny individual and the kid in all his various guises is saucy, proud and fascinating.
The story is in turns funny, teasing and very hot. The writing is among Shukyou's best. A simple story with a whole lot of charm.
August 4, 2014
I went in search of mental palate cleansers from some of the shoddily told stories and books I've had the pleasure (?) of reading recently, so of course I found my way to Shousetsu Bang Bang.
What a way with words this shukyou has. This story deftly talks about race, gender binaries and unexpected love in all the wrong places without letting you know it's doing so. Plus it's hot, sexy and free. Whattt?
Read this story from a master storyteller ASAP. You will not be disappointed.
What a way with words this shukyou has. This story deftly talks about race, gender binaries and unexpected love in all the wrong places without letting you know it's doing so. Plus it's hot, sexy and free. Whattt?
Read this story from a master storyteller ASAP. You will not be disappointed.
November 19, 2018
A mysterious kid in drags and with an uncanny mimic capacity enters a bizarre partnership with an American-Chinese snake oil vendor who may also be hiding a few secrets.
Set in 19th century's Far West, Shukyou's Riding Drag is a witty, melancholic and surprising western romp featuring two wonderful characters living on the cusp between legality and crime who, surprisingly and unexpectedly, find support, love, and comfort in each other.
Both the kid and Mister Wu are not exactly what they seem and their first acquaintance is done on the basis of unspoken truths and hidden identities. As we go along in the story, though, the characters start shedding some of their protective layers and expose more and more of their true, hidden selves.
Their verbal and physical exchanges are as many steps towards their full disclosure. They do happen, however, with a healthy dose of misunderstandings that complicate their relationship along the way.
MIster Wu - used to a solitary life made up of cheats and pretense - is at first puzzled by the freedom and apparent lightheartedness with which the kid fakes and whores his way through the world. On his part, the kid is charmed by Wu's kindness and open-minded approach to life and subterfuge.
Shukyou's dexterity with words is astonishing - the reader is dragged into the world of wagons, desert trails, border towns, saloons, and duplicity inhabited by the characters since the great first sentence uttered by Mister Wu:
The two characters exercise their a/morality freely towards the group of gullible and prejudiced secondary characters they come into contact with during the story. Their allegiance and loyalty towards each other, however, takes a deeply emotional turn in the second half of the book and the ending is moving and with a hopeful openness for the future.
Wonderful and very highly recommended!
Set in 19th century's Far West, Shukyou's Riding Drag is a witty, melancholic and surprising western romp featuring two wonderful characters living on the cusp between legality and crime who, surprisingly and unexpectedly, find support, love, and comfort in each other.
Both the kid and Mister Wu are not exactly what they seem and their first acquaintance is done on the basis of unspoken truths and hidden identities. As we go along in the story, though, the characters start shedding some of their protective layers and expose more and more of their true, hidden selves.
Their verbal and physical exchanges are as many steps towards their full disclosure. They do happen, however, with a healthy dose of misunderstandings that complicate their relationship along the way.
MIster Wu - used to a solitary life made up of cheats and pretense - is at first puzzled by the freedom and apparent lightheartedness with which the kid fakes and whores his way through the world. On his part, the kid is charmed by Wu's kindness and open-minded approach to life and subterfuge.
Shukyou's dexterity with words is astonishing - the reader is dragged into the world of wagons, desert trails, border towns, saloons, and duplicity inhabited by the characters since the great first sentence uttered by Mister Wu:
"Velly solly, honorable sirs," he said, all the while thinking, fuck your mothers.
The two characters exercise their a/morality freely towards the group of gullible and prejudiced secondary characters they come into contact with during the story. Their allegiance and loyalty towards each other, however, takes a deeply emotional turn in the second half of the book and the ending is moving and with a hopeful openness for the future.
Wonderful and very highly recommended!
January 27, 2014
~ ~ ~
This "lightly" historical depiction of an older Chinese Snake Oil trader and a young prostitute in drag was thoroughly enjoyable. There were a couple of historical inaccuracies, but nothing that pulled me from the story. The draw of this story is the relationship and how it sneaks up on you. It pulled a couple of tears from me towards the end, but there is a fitting HFN.
If there was more to read with these two characters I would. shukyou's writing again, caught me by surprise. It's subtle. The tension is almost hidden and the tenderness is surprising. Well done...again.
~ ~ ~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
This "lightly" historical depiction of an older Chinese Snake Oil trader and a young prostitute in drag was thoroughly enjoyable. There were a couple of historical inaccuracies, but nothing that pulled me from the story. The draw of this story is the relationship and how it sneaks up on you. It pulled a couple of tears from me towards the end, but there is a fitting HFN.
If there was more to read with these two characters I would. shukyou's writing again, caught me by surprise. It's subtle. The tension is almost hidden and the tenderness is surprising. Well done...again.
~ ~ ~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
September 12, 2013
Another beautifully written piece by Shukyou. This story captures a time and place with such smart and witty characters that it takes my breath away.
January 29, 2014
So very different, so much in common, these characters ring true and hook the reader from the first line. So many profound topics covered, treated subtly, as they should be. This author makes me feel smart.
Two more things:
1. Wowee! Beyond hot!
2. That cover!
Two more things:
1. Wowee! Beyond hot!
2. That cover!
August 4, 2014
Great, witty, original, tender story. I loved it.
BTW it is possible to download it in different formats here: http://archiveofourown.org/works/785547
BTW it is possible to download it in different formats here: http://archiveofourown.org/works/785547
August 15, 2017
A hidden gem of a book!
"The kid" is completely entertaining as the endlessly fascinating, sassy as heck prostitute.. but the star of the show is someone else.
Unassuming, highly intelligent - Wu is a travelling snakeoil salesman / purveyor of Oriental herbal medicine (depending on who is asking)
"Velly solly, honorable sirs," he said, all the while thinking, fuck your mothers.
I've never laughed as hard as I did at Wu's antics.
And when the pretences come down, the tender moments are heart melting ..
”Decades leading a solitary, nomadic life, and now the kid he’d known for a little over four days could make Wu live and die by his smile.”
"The kid" is completely entertaining as the endlessly fascinating, sassy as heck prostitute.. but the star of the show is someone else.
Unassuming, highly intelligent - Wu is a travelling snakeoil salesman / purveyor of Oriental herbal medicine (depending on who is asking)
"Velly solly, honorable sirs," he said, all the while thinking, fuck your mothers.
I've never laughed as hard as I did at Wu's antics.
And when the pretences come down, the tender moments are heart melting ..
”Decades leading a solitary, nomadic life, and now the kid he’d known for a little over four days could make Wu live and die by his smile.”
April 28, 2016
Husband: what's wrong?
Me: I just read a story. It was wonderful.
Husband: then why aren't you happy?
Me: it's over....
Me: I just read a story. It was wonderful.
Husband: then why aren't you happy?
Me: it's over....
November 4, 2017
I am not a fan of huge age-gap (Wu could be "the kid"'s father) and I am not a fan of sharing (since "the kid" is a prostitute, he still works as such even when they started their thing. My, all the STD they must have! I kept thinking about it, ugg), but the story was good, the romance was lovely and the ending was nice.
January 22, 2018
This is a small gem I discovered thanks to my friends here on Goodreads.
I won't retell the story or describe the protagonists, as it's better if you see for yourself.
I'll just point out Riding Drag has a very original setting and characters. Awesome prose and dialogues and I'd definitely read more from this author.
I won't retell the story or describe the protagonists, as it's better if you see for yourself.
I'll just point out Riding Drag has a very original setting and characters. Awesome prose and dialogues and I'd definitely read more from this author.
August 4, 2017
Amazing short story - memorable characters. No angst, no over-doubting, just two complex characters facing life's difficulties with humour and openness.
Would definitely recommend it!
Would definitely recommend it!
August 18, 2018
Dirty and romantic and fab.
June 30, 2019
I was NOT expecting that, but what a pleasant surprise. ❤❤❤
March 19, 2022
Ummmm..... I loved this!
March 1, 2024
3.5 stars
This was fun, albeit a bit far-fetched. I love crossdressing with a historical setting!
This was fun, albeit a bit far-fetched. I love crossdressing with a historical setting!
October 26, 2015
Wu is a traveling, Chinese medicine man, selling cures to whoever will pay. He rescues a damsile in distress who turns out to be a boy. This is very short but so much happens, the characters and the setting is vivid. The massive age gap between Wu and Reuben bothered me, it was at least 30 years. Wu, in all of his 52 years, had never been or thought of being with a man, then all of a sudden he can't get enough of Rueben. They were accepting of each other and the relationship worked for them.
June 25, 2016
I remember reading this the first time and being relatively confused, but then LOVING it and having to reread it another three times (although not consecutively). It was feel-good stripped off the fluff and yet there was something real about it that I couldn't put my finger on. Something that really gripped me the by balls and was like "THIS IS GOOD. YOU HAVE TO READ ALL OF IT. CROSSDRESSING IS HOT." Which, it really is. And I'm usually a sucker for HEA and hunky guys, but this was something else. It was strange, a little depressing, hot, sweet, and it WORKED.
January 8, 2015
This was amazing. I wanted more. They were so funny an so sweet.
January 26, 2014
Well written, original and interesting. Also wonderfully romantic.
to-read-yes-own
September 2, 2016Free to download here: http://archiveofourown.org/works/7855...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews