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ashlightgrayson's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It was such a pleasure reading through this book. I am queer, mixed, and black just as the main character, Michael, is. I was able to relate to him in many ways. The poetry in the story had a nice rhythm to it as you read. I personally recommend reading it aloud sometimes so that you can really appreciate it.
Michael has a lot of internal dialogue that feels genuinely teenaged in nature. He was still very likeable throughout the story and I found his internal monologue endearing. It really made me sympathetic towards him whenever Michael got into not so ideal situations or made mistakes. His parents are incredibly supportive of him. It was refreshing to see their attitudes help Michael embrace both sides of his multi-ethnic culture.
Daisy, Michael's long time childhood friend, serves as a foil for Michael. Michael attempts to embrace his blackness and queerness and grows more comfortable with his identity as the book progresses. In contrast, Daisy becomes more openly queerphobic and anti-black. She goes out of her way to avoid parts of her black identity. She is more white passing than Michael and she at times weaponizes this and uses her privilege in ways that are harmful. Additionally, as her character continues to develop, she says more outright racist or homophobic things. Daisy is not the only person that enters Michael's life that reflects forms of queerphobia or ignorance when it comes to race. Each of these encounters and interactions allow Michael to grow and become more secure in his identity.
Everything comes wonderfully full circle by the end of the book and was incredibly satisfying for me. I found the story satisfying, uplifting, and hopeful. I am looking forward to more works written by this author. I definitely do recommend this coming-of-age story for teenagers, but especially queer teenagers. However, even as a queer adult, it made me happy that there are queer stories out there like this.
Michael has a lot of internal dialogue that feels genuinely teenaged in nature. He was still very likeable throughout the story and I found his internal monologue endearing. It really made me sympathetic towards him whenever Michael got into not so ideal situations or made mistakes. His parents are incredibly supportive of him. It was refreshing to see their attitudes help Michael embrace both sides of his multi-ethnic culture.
Daisy, Michael's long time childhood friend, serves as a foil for Michael. Michael attempts to embrace his blackness and queerness and grows more comfortable with his identity as the book progresses. In contrast, Daisy becomes more openly queerphobic and anti-black. She goes out of her way to avoid parts of her black identity. She is more white passing than Michael and she at times weaponizes this and uses her privilege in ways that are harmful. Additionally, as her character continues to develop, she says more outright racist or homophobic things. Daisy is not the only person that enters Michael's life that reflects forms of queerphobia or ignorance when it comes to race. Each of these encounters and interactions allow Michael to grow and become more secure in his identity.
Everything comes wonderfully full circle by the end of the book and was incredibly satisfying for me. I found the story satisfying, uplifting, and hopeful. I am looking forward to more works written by this author. I definitely do recommend this coming-of-age story for teenagers, but especially queer teenagers. However, even as a queer adult, it made me happy that there are queer stories out there like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
ielliie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
4.5
Content Warnings
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
helhas3letters's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content, Transphobia, Police brutality, and Alcohol
kirby95's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism
katiechasingchapters's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Homophobia
ashreadsandbowls's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
angietheace's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Sexual content and Lesbophobia
lettuce_read's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Racism
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Uplifting, emotional, and thought-provoking, I was swept away by the words and the story, and I wish it hadn't ended. I didn't even realize how much time had past until I looked at the clock wondering why there weren't more pages in this story. The Black Flamingo explores themes of identity, race, and sexuality. There is so much feeling in the pages, I don't know how to express the emotions that I went through while reading this. Michael is trying to figure out who he is, and where he fits in the world. It starts with him as a young child, and follows him as he goes to university and finally culminates in him doing Drag for the first time. I will read anything Dean Atta writes, and I wish I had read this sooner.
This is a MUST READ.
This is a MUST READ.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, and Cultural appropriation