‘The Black Flamingo’ is a coming-of-age novel following a young Black boy from a young age up to his first drag show at the age of 19. The book discusses themes of race and queerness and is told partly in poetry. 

I can’t believe I took so long to pick this up after buying it. This might just be my fave book of the year, definitely my fave book of the month! I was just going to read a couple chapters before watching a drama but I genuinely couldn’t put it down. I finished it in one sitting, I practically devoured it. The MC talks about his struggles with his own identity and his racial background. The bond between him and his mother and how accepting she was of who he is was so beautiful. She never once questioned his identity or made him feel less than. They had many important conversations as he grew up about how to accept yourself and how you should or shouldn’t allow people to treat you. 

The MC’s experience with his relationship with his father, or lack thereof, is so similar to mine and that really hurt my heart. This story really shows you how familial support can affect one’s life, be it two parents or one. This story is such a great insight into someone’s life, even though it’s fiction, it’s done so well that he feels like a real person. I honestly don’t know what to say to convince you to read this book but I promise you it is SO worth it. 

My fave quote - “To have a loving family is to feel afraid and yet believe you are going to be all right”. 

Representation - Bisexual; Black; Chronic Pain; Jamaican; POC; Sapphic; They/Them

TWs/CWs - Abandonment; Alcohol; Blood; Bullying; Cussing; Drug use (weed, poppers); Homophobia; Homophobic Slurs; Racism; Sex; Smoking; Suicide; Violence; Vomit