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bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
“Don’t.
Don’t come out unless you want to. Don’t come out for anyone else’s sake. Don’t come out because you think society expects you to.
Come out for yourself.
Come out to yourself.
Shout, sing it.
Softly stutter.
Correct those who say they knew before you did.
That’s not how sexuality works, it’s yours to define.”
This is a YA novel-in-verse about Michael, a half Jamaican, half Greek-Cyprian young man growing up in the UK, going to college, and amidst trying to join clubs like the Greek Society and the LGBTQIA+ Club, he still feels like he doesn't quite fit in. He finally joins the Drag Club and begins to come into himself.
I loved following Michael's journey, as he named his feelings, had curious conversations with friends, and figured shit out for himself. It was vulnerable, confusing, and ultimately, hopeful.
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Suicide, and Lesbophobia
pippasimp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Child abuse and Homophobia
summermorning's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Racial slurs, Slavery, and Transphobia
howlinglibraries's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
"So who is The Black Flamingo?"
"He is me, who I have been,
who I am, who I hope to become.
Someone fabulous, wild, and strong.
With or without a costume on."
I'd been meaning to read The Black Flamingo since it took the book community by storm a couple of years ago, and it definitely did NOT disappoint. Following Michael, a young biracial (Jamaican/Greek Cypriot) British boy, we start off at a young age in his life and watch him grow into a college freshman learning self-love through drag.
The entire story is told as a novel in verse, but the first-person narrative gave the book a very autobiographical feeling that was beautiful to experience. There's a lot of commentary on race, gender, sexuality, and feeling "othered" by your loved ones that a lot of readers will absolutely relate to, but most of all, I loved seeing this beautiful queer young Black boy celebrate every facet of his identity by the end of it.
It's for your liberation. It's knowing that after this nothing will be the same for you. It's a rebirth.
✨ Representation: Michael is Jamaican/Greek Cypriot and self-identifies as both Black and mixed, is gay, and uses he/him pronouns but seems to be exploring some elements of his gender; several side characters are Black and/or multiracial; several side characters are queer, including gay, lesbian, bi, and trans on-page representations
✨ Content warnings for: bullying, homophobia, racism, substance abuse, absent parent, brief mention of child abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse
brookey8888's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, Racism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Outing, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
lucystolethesky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse
dorothysbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Biphobia, Child abuse, Transphobia, Police brutality, and Colonisation
discworldwitch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse and Vomit
readandfindout's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Graphic: Racial slurs and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Suicide, and Lesbophobia