Dean Atta

The Black Flamingo

Loes Alferink

l don’t have a clue what I'm doing but that’s not gonna stop me.

‘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.’

You're not trying to be that person, you're using their words to say something new.

Her poetry is everything I hope mine could be one day for somebody.

Black Flamingo

Gelaine Trinidad

This book was a bit underwhelming because I had such high hopes. We learn about Michael who is a mixed-race gay teenager going through high school and university trying to understand his racial identity and sexuality. It almost felt like a memoir to me based on the way that it was written. He encounters homophobia and racism from bullies and even friends and family. There were also some glimpses of his childhood as he starts wondering why his sister can play with his toys and wear his clothes but not the other way around. He also learns what it means to love and be heartbroken. He finds himself intrigued by the Drag Society in his university and decides to join it as The Black Flamingo. I think the best parts of this novel in verse are the monologues about what drag means and also what racism looks like from the perspective of a young black man. Those were very powerful and can be stand-alone poems. I think the imagery and symbolism tied with the black flamingo plays so well with Michael's idea of how he wants to manifest himself as a black drag queen. Drag is self-expression. Drag is gender fluid. Being transgender and doing drag are two distinct concepts. Drag is whatever you want it to be, it's the art that you make and not always about the makeup and the looks. I rated it 3-stars because unfortunately there was nothing new to me in regards to the writing and plot except for the fact that it is a novel written in verse. I do applaud Dean Atta's poetry writing for being so fierce and soulful.

Heather

Love it read in 2 day's in couple hours each very happy to complete a 350 page book in decent time. Winning

So beautiful. The final pages had me crying. The perfect Bildungsroman.

Sabrina D. 

A boy comes to terms with his identity as a mixed-race gay teen - then at university he finds his wings as a drag artist, The Black Flamingo. A bold story about the power of embracing your uniqueness. Sometimes, we need to take charge, to stand up wearing pink feathers - to show ourselves to the world in bold colour.

Erika

“Being both black and queer,
affirming that I exist, 
I am here and I have been here
long before this moment,
the first people were black
and queerness predates its modern meaning.
Queerness predates its derogatory meaning.
Queerness predates colonialism and Christianity.
Queerness predates any hate attached to it.”

Jule

the whole time I thought this was a memoir for some reason.
This book is bold, flamboyant, inclusive, loving, and I want this to be translated into many many different languages so other (young) human beings can read this story about finding your truth. 

this was beautiful.

Kelsey Munson

A beautiful coming of age story written in verse. The ending (especially the epilogue) left me warm and teary eyed in all of the best ways. Definitely recommend!

Danny Werhane

Joana da Silva

This little book made my heart burst with love. The writing is amazing, the story is beautiful and I just fell in love with Michael. This book came highly recommended to me, and now I'm highly recommending it to all of you.

menna

I never thought someone could describe the sense and a journey of finding your own identity. It makes me wanna be my true self and find people that resonate with that as well.

ambrozja stracony

Emelie

1/1-21: First read (and reread) for 2021 and it’s still amazing!! 

First read 6-17/8-20:
Could possibly be the best book I’ve read so far in 2020!

mars

Isabela H 

I really liked the rhythm of this book, it was so easy to just follow the flow of the words and read the whole thing in one sitting without even realizing it. I also really appreciated the handling of the topics of the book, things were just the right amount of heavy and concepts were explained beautifully.

Lilian Housley

Absolutely beautiful. The writing is amazing. Everyone should read this book. I didn’t know much going in and I think that made it all the more better.

i read this in two hours. this was so fucking good i can’t rlly describe it... a masterpiece .. 🥺

“’How to Come Out as Gay’
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.
Being effeminate doesn’t make you gay.
Being sensitive doesn’t make you gay.
Being gay makes you gay.
Be a bit gay, be very gay.
Be the glitter that shows up
in unexpected places.
Be Typing... On WhatsApp
but leave them waiting.
Throw a party for yourself
but don’t invite anyone else.
Invite everyone to your party
but show up late or not at all.
If you’re unhappy in the closet
but afraid of what’s outside,
leave the door ajar and call out.
If you’re happy in the closet
for the time being,
play dress up until
you find the right outfit.
Don’t worry, it’s okay
to say you’re gay and later exchange it
for something else that suits you,
fits, feels better.
Watch movies that make it seem
a little less scary:
Beautiful Thing, Moonlight.
Be south-east London council estate,
a daytime dance floor,
his head resting on your shoulder.
Be South Beach, Miami,
night of water and fire,
your head resting in his shoulder.
Be the fabric of his shirt
the muscles in his shoulder, your shoulder.
Be the bricks, be the sand.
Be the river, be the ocean. 
Remember your life is a not a movie.
Accept you
will be coming out for your whole life.
Accept advice
from people and sources you trust.
If your mother warns you about HIV
within minutes of you coming out,
try to understand that she loves you
and is afraid.
If you come out at fifteen,
that is not a badge of honour,
it doesn’t mater what age you come out.
Be a beautiful thing.
Be the moonlight, too.
Remember you have the right to be proud.
Remember you have the right to be you.”

marilynn

GAHHHH okayyy
I didn't know it was in verse when I first went into it, but I think it made the experience better.
Now all I want to do is tear the pages of the book and tape them to my wall. So many good quotes.

His drag performance was amazing. It was beautiful and funny. hihi this was so good

Clara Moore

This book was powerful, insightful, heart-breaking and heart-warming. A must read for gaining an insight into drag culture and how some individuals find their way there.

Vilde

3.5

A bit surprised at the writing style, as I was first very apprehensive as this seemed too poem-ish for me, and poems are not my thing, but luckily it wasn't a big hindrance. Plot and content-wise, very, very good; very nuanced and layered.

Ian Brakspear

Michael is a half-Jamaican, half Greek Cypriot boy growing up in London. He realises early on that being mixed-race makes him different, as he’s not black enough for some in his family and not Greek enough for others.
 
This Book is such an amazing read, and I must admit that it’s not my normal read especially in terms of the book being written in verse, but I have fallen in love with this format recently. This book perfectly reflects the painful feeling of liking someone who doesn't like you back, of being confused by feelings and emotions and of not knowing what direction you should run in. This book follows Michael through school and into university.  I think this book does an excellent job of demonstrating how different we are at the start of school, to the end and then to when we are at university. Even though this is a quick read due to its format, I still felt I really went on this journey with Michael. 
 
The book is a celebration of youth and love, but most of all of blackness and queerness. It is a beautiful, light read that touches on quiet truths, deep emotions and finding yourself.

Sierra

"I come from being given permission to dream but choosing to wake up instead."

You need this beautiful book in your life. This was the drag queen origin story I never knew I needed until now and I am so glad I read it. It's all about finding yourself and coming to terms with who you truly are, even if it terrifies you and you don't want to be yourself at first.

The Black Flamingo is a work of fictional prose with influence from author Dean Atta's life. I'll admit that I haven't read many books written in prose before, but this incredible book has certainly set the standard. It addresses many important topics, including those of internalized homophobia, racism, the history of the Stonewall riots, and cultural appropriation, just to name a few. The poetry in this book is excellent and the epilogue poem, How to Come Out as Gay is a masterpiece that I will reread forever. Only you can define yourself and only you can choose when to do so. I love the lines, "Queerness predates colonialism and Christianity. Queerness predates any hate attached to it." There is so much truth to that and too many people today forget that. 

I truly cannot recommend this book enough. There are so many lessons to be learned in this book and I cannot even put into words a great review because there's no way to do this book justice. Just read it. Seriously.

"I am my own wicked witch and fairy godmother."

Francis Buggey

abi schroeder

I really enojyed it - it was very raw and very real. it got quite hyped up for me so i felt kind of let down when i read it but that might just be my experience with it

Flavia Louise

This is such a great story. I loved the format. This was the last book I read for the Dewey's 24-hour readathon.

Mikayla

4.5 stars!! 

I’m not that into poetry or verse writing but this was extremely beautiful. I enjoyed every moment and love the message in the end. Beautiful book.

The Black Flamingo

Reviews

Highlights