Reviews tagging 'Cultural appropriation'

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

11 reviews

devynreadsnovels's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Transphobia, Drug use, and Racism

solnit_and_sebastian's review

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

Beautifully written in prose, Dean Atta's The Black Flamingo is the story of a young, queer, Jamaican and Greek Cypriot boy from London. The story carries through his first year at university, wherein Michael continues his journey of self-discovery, and learns more about new and old friends that challenges some aspects of his worldview. The intersection of Michael's identities, and how he relates to his family, friends, and the world through various lenses, are a primary focus of the book. Accessible, eloquent, and cathartic, I unreservedly recommend it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment and Homophobia

Minor: Lesbophobia, Cultural appropriation, Bullying, Racism, and Alcohol

thepostman96's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia and Lesbophobia

Minor: Abandonment and Cultural appropriation

lynxpardinus's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Bullying, and Racism

Moderate: Xenophobia, Pedophilia, Violence, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Abandonment, Cultural appropriation, Lesbophobia, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Racial slurs, Animal cruelty, Slavery, and Transphobia

hobbithopeful's review against another edition

emotional 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? No

5.0

Uplifting, emotional, and thought-provoking, I was swept away by the words and the story, and I wish it hadn't ended. I didn't even realize how much time had past until I looked at the clock wondering why there weren't more pages in this story. The Black Flamingo explores themes of identity, race, and sexuality. There is so much feeling in the pages, I don't know how to express the emotions that I went through while reading this. Michael is trying to figure out who he is, and where he fits in the world. It starts with him as a young child, and follows him as he goes to university and finally culminates in him doing Drag for the first time. I will read anything Dean Atta writes, and I wish I had read this sooner.

This is a MUST READ. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Transphobia, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, and Racism

blombern's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Written in the form of poetry

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

Moderate: Lesbophobia, Racism, Abandonment, Bullying, Cursing, and Drug use

Minor: Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, and Sexual content

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

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

brookey8888's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted 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

4.0

 really enjoyed this! I really like the poetry/verse way it was written. I liked the characters and the growth they went through finding themselves. I really appreciated the topics discussed. I can’t speak for them because I luckily haven’t dealt/experienced these topics. I would definitely recommend this. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Cultural appropriation, Drug use, Dysphoria, Grief, Lesbophobia, Outing, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship