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andyourstruly's review
hopeful
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I am not usually into coming-of-age novels and am especially cautious of queer coming-of-age novels because it usually spends so much time wrestling with self-loathing and/or whether or not they are queer.
Black Flamingo is really refreshing in having a protaganist who is very assured in himself and has a strong support system at home. Rather than man vs self, it's man vs society and the main character deciding how he will approach the world as someone whose identity lies at so many intersections, which is a journey I feel like we usually only catch characters like him in the "after" phase of, as the side character or inspiration in someone else's story instead of as their own protaganist.
The other thing I really like is how concise it feels. Many CoA stories make us walk through a bunch of fumbles and trauma and awkward mistakes before the protaganist is allowed to Become, and Black Flamingo doesn't make this a prominent part of Michael's journey. He makes mistakes, but the story is about Michael's coming to understand his multiple identities and how to meet a world that wants to fit him into a box, rather than the world teaching him some humility for any misplaced pride.
Black Flamingo is really refreshing in having a protaganist who is very assured in himself and has a strong support system at home. Rather than man vs self, it's man vs society and the main character deciding how he will approach the world as someone whose identity lies at so many intersections, which is a journey I feel like we usually only catch characters like him in the "after" phase of, as the side character or inspiration in someone else's story instead of as their own protaganist.
The other thing I really like is how concise it feels. Many CoA stories make us walk through a bunch of fumbles and trauma and awkward mistakes before the protaganist is allowed to Become, and Black Flamingo doesn't make this a prominent part of Michael's journey. He makes mistakes, but the story is about Michael's coming to understand his multiple identities and how to meet a world that wants to fit him into a box, rather than the world teaching him some humility for any misplaced pride.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Homophobia
Minor: Lesbophobia and Rape
Details on the minor rape CW: Contains a scene wheretahsintries's review
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Rape and Domestic abuse
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