Book Review: “The Black Flamingo” by Dean Atta

“The Black Flamingo” by Dean Atta (2019)

Genre: LGBT, Contemporary, YA, Fiction

Page Length: 360 pages (hardcover edition)

Synopsis:

A fierce coming-of-age verse novel about identity and the power of drag, from acclaimed poet and performer Dean Atta. Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Jason Reynolds, and Kacen Callender.

Michael is a mixed-race gay teen growing up in London. All his life, he’s navigated what it means to be Greek-Cypriot and Jamaican—but never quite feeling Greek or Black enough.

As he gets older, Michael’s coming out is only the start of learning who he is and where he fits in. When he discovers the Drag Society, he finally finds where he belongs—and the Black Flamingo is born.

Told with raw honesty, insight, and lyricism, this debut explores the layers of identity that make us who we are—and allow us to shine. (description from Goodreads)

Review:

What an emotional and beautifully written novel! The Black Flamingo is one of my top favorite reads of 2021 and I wish I had read it sooner. For me personally, I sometimes have a hard time reading novels written in verse/part-verse, but Atta’s writing was so lyrical and smooth. Each poem stood out as their own and offers very incredibly powerful glimpses in Michael’s life and how he discovers a version of himself in his drag person The Black Flamingo.

I appreciated that the book starts from his childhood and ends in his college years, so readers could see his growth as a person. Michael’s journey was not an easy one and he struggles on many levels including his sexuality and identity. People want to perceive him in one way and his reflections show his innermost thoughts, feelings, and complexity. Reading the story through his POV was not only engrossing but very emotional. I could feel for what everything he was going through from dealing with bullies at school, coming out to loved ones, and fighting against those who wanted to put him down. I think the emotional aspects of the story is what connects with the audience in this book and they can grasp all of the feelings that Michael experiences in his life.

It’s hard for me to discuss this book too much in detail without giving too much away. The book follows a theme of wanting acceptance, redemption, and self-discovery while also discussing topics of gender stereotypes, the LGBTQIA community, and race. I thoroughly enjoyed how the poems tell a story and are written to be read sequentially. If you are a reader who enjoys novels in verse or wants to give them a try, I’d highly recommend this book.

TW: Racism, Homophobia, Bullying

Final Verdict: