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postal_kat'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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Violence and Lesbophobia
booksthatburn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Violence, and Vomit
taelights's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
First of all, I listened to this on audiobook and there was just something so powerful about the author himself reading it himself. But also I'm so tempted to revisit this book in a physical copy eventually just to see how the expierence differs because I definitely wouldn't mind reading this book again.
I've never read a book in verse before and I wasn't sure how I'd like it because I've never been super into poetry, but I loved this one so much. The writing style was absolutely beautiful and so enjoyable to me.
The book itself was raw and emotional, exploring important topics of self acceptance, growing into your true self, and dealing with both homophobia and racism. A lot of the author's words were just very true and sincere and hit so hard. It had just a lot of important messages within the story.
I thought Michael was a fantastic character, very intriguing, and he felt so real to me. I loved getting to read his story and watch him grow.
My only issue with the book is I wish it was longer, I felt like a lot of areas could have been explored more so I really wish some sections were more fleshed out and explored deeper.
Overall this was a very easy and fast read that I would highly recommend. It was very emotional and powerful and it's a story that deserves to be heard.
I've never read a book in verse before and I wasn't sure how I'd like it because I've never been super into poetry, but I loved this one so much. The writing style was absolutely beautiful and so enjoyable to me.
The book itself was raw and emotional, exploring important topics of self acceptance, growing into your true self, and dealing with both homophobia and racism. A lot of the author's words were just very true and sincere and hit so hard. It had just a lot of important messages within the story.
I thought Michael was a fantastic character, very intriguing, and he felt so real to me. I loved getting to read his story and watch him grow.
My only issue with the book is I wish it was longer, I felt like a lot of areas could have been explored more so I really wish some sections were more fleshed out and explored deeper.
Overall this was a very easy and fast read that I would highly recommend. It was very emotional and powerful and it's a story that deserves to be heard.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Child abuse
Internalized homophobia and internalized racism are also topics explored which I feel like deserve separate content warning tags.librariesoflindsey's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- 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, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Transphobia, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Violence
Minor: Hate crime and Police brutality