Black Flamingo

by Dean Atta

Hardcover, 176 pages

English language

Published Dec. 3, 2019 by Hachette Children's Group.

ISBN:: 978-1-4449-4858-5

(10 reviews)

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.

7 editions

capypokoymal reviewed Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

so good, so real

5 stars

it's a teen queer story, but one that feels real for once, unlike some shitty tv series. there is doubt, there is mess, there is poetry, there is sex. but the teen sex, the one full of questions, discoveries, possibly dangerous, but in a naive way. i dont know what dean atta did, but i truly believe he was a 20 years old writing this. lol. anyway, very smooth and lovely read. it's classified as young adult and i found it in the children's section, but for that same reason it costs only £8, which is an amazing deal. eheh!

Books That Burn reviewed Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

Review of 'Black Flamingo' on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

THE BLACK FLAMINGO is a celebration of complex layered identity (specifically gay, Greek-Cypriot, and Jamaican) as Michael grows up, comes of age and, through drag, finally finds a place that fits all of him.

It leaves room for messiness, mistakes, and the strange meandering coincidences of life as we watch Michael grow up, exploring the facets of his identity and celebrating the intersections between them. It handles a lot of topics and nuance in a way that keeps the underlying messiness while reaching for something healthier and more whole with every page. There's a lot of growth in the secondary characters as well, even minor characters learn and change in meaningful and obvious ways by the time the story is over.

I loved reading this and highly recommend it.