Week 23 Review: The Black Flamingo

From Goodreads:

A fierce coming-of-age verse novel about identity and the power of drag, from acclaimed UK poet and performer Dean Atta. Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Jason Reynolds, and Kacen Callender.

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. 

My Review:
I really enjoyed this book. I don't read many novels in verse, I think I've read 3 before this, making this my 4th. And I really enjoyed reading Michael's story, watching him grow up from mentioning his birth, to his 6th and 7th birthdays, time at school, studying for exams, and then finally, at college. 

Dean had a variety of parts of his identity that made him different. His mother was from Cypriot and his dad was from Jamaica. And he's gay. There's a sequence of scenes where when he's at college, and he goes to all these groups, and he doesn't fit in. Throughout this book, he doesn't really struggle with who he is, but more, with how to fit in. 

I really enjoyed the various sections of his life, they said when a change has happened. Maybe not all changes, but like when we got into a school so he could sing, when he came out, as well as when when he got into drag. It told us what that part of the story this section would be about.

I have maybe one complaint about this book. And that was it was a little too real instead of fiction. To narrow what I mean by that, it shows the romance, the maybes and wonderings, the crushes, the highs and lows. And it doesn't wrap up, it's left open ended. There's hope, but not a sure thing, and I like resolution! But that's personal preference and while I might not like it, others may love it. 

I had a great time reading this book, it was quick and easy and so enjoyable! 

Author: Dean Atta 
Read: June 11th, 2021
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a SAC 2021 Book!
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Published: August 8th 2019

5/5 Hearts

4/5 Books

3 /5 Stars