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Spoiler Free Review
Title: The Black Flamingo
Author: Dean Atta
Published: Hodder, 2019
Genre: LGBTQIA+, YA, Contemporary
Pages: 360
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(from Goodreads): I masquerade in makeup and feathers and I am applauded.
A boy comes to terms with his identity as a mixed-race gay teen – then at university he finds his wings as a drag artist, The Black Flamingo. A bold story about the power of embracing your uniqueness. Sometimes, we need to take charge, to stand up wearing pink feathers – to show ourselves to the world in bold colour.
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Oh, man. This book. This glorious book. I’m going to keep it short and snappy, because I could honestly talk about this book non-stop.
This coming of age story packs a punch. We follow Michael, half Jamaican, half Greek Cypriot, as he grows up in London, realising he isn’t quite like the other boys he sees around him. We watch as he grows up and deals with acts of racism and homophobia, as he tries to find a place that feels right for him. There were so many brilliant conversations happening in this novel that will connect with so many YA and adult readers. For anyone who says that a YA novel can’t deliver – this book is your comeback.
I loved reading Michael’s story and growing up with him throughout this book. His experiences of friendship, family, first love and finding yourself were truthful, heartbreaking and hopeful. I felt like I’d handed my heart to Dean Atta from the first page and was given it back, made more full, by the end.
A final note: this is a book written in verse. This type of format isn’t for everyone, granted, but I implore you to give it a try regardless. In this circumstance and with this subject matter, something about the choice of verse was so very right for this story. It made every word more important, impactful, and each line so carefully chosen, that it couldn’t help hitting me in the feels.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars!
A wonderful, wonderful book that should be put in the hands of all readers.
Happy reading, friends!
read it and leap; 