Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

63 reviews

krys_kilz'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

4.0

This book was a quick read for me and I enjoyed it! The characters were compelling, the topics covered were important, and there was some beautiful writing. Overall, this was a solid novel in verse. 

"I come from my own pen but I see
people torn apart like paper, each a story
or poem that never made it into a book."

"Despair is love
for what isn't
here anymore,
or never was."

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Racism

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Drug use and Sexual content

thebookpaiges's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Racism

Moderate: Bullying, Alcohol, and Drug use

Minor: Racial slurs and Violence

thebookishnerd_'s review

emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The Black Flamingo is a coming-of-age story about Michael, a black queer teen, growing up and exploring and discovering his identity. He discovers the art of drag in university and finds a community to call home. 

I loved this book, from beginning to end. I have a soft spot for books written in verse and this one did not disappoint. The writing style was beautiful and emotional.  It was great to see the language subtly mature as Michael grew up. Each character felt distinct with their own voice and I just fell in love with Michael and Daisy's friendship.

This book addresses many issues from racism, homophobia (both internal and external), fetishization, bullying, forced gender roles, absent parents and so much more. Each issue shows its effects on characters in such a true-to-life way, despite the writing style. 

This book packs an emotional punch. Michael's story will pull at your heartstrings. I definitely recommend this book. Especially to those looking for a short yet impactful read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Bullying, Abandonment, and Homophobia

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Cultural appropriation and Sexual content

saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition

inspiring reflective slow-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

3.5

 A short, sweet, uplifting slice of life contemporary that discusses Black queerness, specifically coming of age and drag. I liked how accessible the prose is and the introspection, though I wish the story were more focused on a tighter timeline to allow for more room in fleshing out the side characters 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Racism

Moderate: Drug use

clockworkstars's review against another edition

inspiring lighthearted

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

"Rappelle toi que tu as le droit d'être fier.
Rappelle toi que tu as le droit d'être toi même."
4☆|5 

Les larmes ont coulé dans mon cœur pendant cette lecture, plus fort que je ne pensais que cela était possible. Mes yeux ont défilé à travers les mots, mes doigts tournant les pages à toute vitesse, me menant irrémédiablement à cette situation : je viens de tourner la dernière page et je ne sais pas quoi faire. 

Ce livre fut beau. Très beau. La plume, poétique et envoûtante nous emporte à travers les pages peuplées de dessins, de messages, de poèmes. On suit Michael, le flamand noir. On le suit dans la découverte de son identité, à travers l'enfance, le collège, le lycée. Et puis l'université, le Drag. 

Ce roman est un très beau coming-of-age, une recherche d'identité, une affirmation d'identité. Ce livre m'a hypnotisé et les derniers discours/poèmes m'ont séduit au profond de mon cœur, j'aime <3. 

Tw : alcool ; drogues ; harcèlement ; homophobie et homophobie internalisée ; racisme ; mention de sexe 

Rep : mc noir (jamaïquain et chypriote grec) et gay pratiquant le drag ; personnage secondaire bi ; personnage secondaire lesbienne

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Racism, Homophobia, and Drug use

Minor: Sexual content

spark_879's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Homophobia

Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use

Minor: Sexual content

alisonannk's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Drug use, Dysphoria, Hate crime, Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual content, Transphobia, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Outing, Abandonment, Lesbophobia, Racism, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Toxic friendship

taylorsevalia's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Abandonment

Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Lesbophobia, Hate crime, Drug use, Cultural appropriation, Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Animal cruelty, Slavery, and Sexual violence

clarabooksit's review against another edition

emotional 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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Bullying, and Homophobia

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, and Drug use

Minor: Violence

hannahbailey's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective tense 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

4.0

Quick but provocative YA read, written in verse! This is a great coming-of-age novel that draws on the character's sexuality, race and acceptance of oneself. I loved reading this verse and how it connected from one piece to the next. Any readers put off by the idea of verse in a novel: don't be! It's a very engaging and accessible text with short and sharp poems that keep you thinking long after you've turned the page.

TW: racism, homophobia, bullying, drug use

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Racism

Moderate: Drug use