The Black Flamingo

This was a book that I was interested in when it was full price, then it got marked down, twice, and I felt like I had to rescue it from the bookstore.

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

This book won a Stonewall award and it was on sale for $3. I felt a little sick when I saw the price tag listing it as “cheap!” I had to have it.

This YA novel is told in poetry and prose in the vein of Maya Angelou. It tells the story of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and self-love of a half-Greek Cypriot, half-Jamaican teen living in London. Michael feels disconnected from every side of himself, and eventually realizes that he has to be himself.

He has to love himself, just as he is.

Powerful and moving, I highly recommend this book.

~ YouTube review to come 1/4/24 ~