Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

23 reviews

anarmandameg's review

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Alcohol, Bullying, Classism, Abandonment, Homophobia, and Sexual content

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

helhas3letters'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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Racism

Moderate: Bullying, Abandonment, Drug use, and Violence

Minor: Alcohol, Transphobia, Sexual content, and Police brutality

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

blvckboyinparis's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

 since i have come out i have been reading more novels about queer main characters. i've read this before but it hits differently now. it's more in your face but in a good way. michael is every bit the black flamingo he performs on stage.

artist. poet. intellectual. lover. son. friend. brother. gay. black. greek-cypriot. beautiful.

so very, very beautiful. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Racism

Moderate: Sexual violence and Abandonment

mayareadsxo's review against another edition

emotional inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Bullying, Abandonment, and Racism

tinyjude's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

4.75

I loved to see Michael go on a journey of self-discovery and self-love, how he found himself among the drag community and the support he received along the way. I also liked the exploration of the intersection between parts of his identity and to see what it means to him and others in the novel. The flamingo metaphors were beautiful, the verse format was really easy to follow and effective, yet my favourite parts were the little poems he would share with us full of his doubts, difficulties and joys in life. The last one specially made me really emotional.

Highly recommended.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, and Transphobia