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discworldwitch's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Phenomenal. This book was over too quickly for me. It left me wanting more, but at the same time, I’m happy where it left off. I love books in verse, and the poetry here is flawless. It blends beautifully and seamlessly with a lighthearted, human, familiar and unfamiliar story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Vomit and Child abuse
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: Racism, Homophobia, Drug use, Bullying, Vomit, Violence, and Domestic abuse
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