"The Freaks of Mayfair" by E. F. Benson is a delightful satirical portrayal of London's upper-class society in the prestigious district of Mayfair. Through witty humor and keen observation, Benson masterfully captures the glamorous yet absurd world of high society, where wealth, gossip, and scandal reign supreme. Set against the backdrop of extravagant parties and social gatherings, the novel delves into the lives of eccentric socialites and aristocrats, each with their own quirks and eccentricities. Benson's sharp wit and keen eye for detail expose the hypocrisy and frivolity of the upper echelons of society, offering readers a humorous yet insightful commentary on the trappings of wealth and privilege. As intrigue and scandal unfold amidst the glittering façade of Mayfair, readers are drawn into a captivating tale of ambition, rivalry, and social climbing. Through its engaging narrative and colorful characters, "The Freaks of Mayfair" provides a satirical exploration of the complexities of high society, inviting readers to laugh at the absurdities of human behavior while reflecting on the nature of wealth, power, and status in society.

In this unique intervention in the study of queer culture, Dominic Janes highlights that, under the gaze of social conservatism, 'gay' life was hiding in plain sight. Indeed, he argues that the worlds of glamour, fashion, art and countercultural style provided rich opportunities for the construction of queer spectacle in London. Inspired by the legacies of Oscar Wilde, interwar and later 20th-century men such as Cecil Beaton expressed transgressive desires in forms inspired by those labelled 'freaks' and, thereby, made major contributions to the histories of art, design, fashion, sexuality, and celebrity. Janes reinterprets the origins of gay and queer cultures by charting the interactions between marginalized freaks and chic fashionistas. He establishes a new framework for future analyses of other cities and media, and of the roles of women and diverse identities.