The Black Flamingo plot summary

“This is not about being ready, it’s not even about being fierce, or fearless, it’s about being free.”

Growing up, Michael explores his feelings, and his questions, through poetry. He’s on a journey that will lead to stage wings, where he’ll have to decide once and for all whether he can step out in front of the world as The Black Flamingo.

In a book packed with heartfelt and heart-breaking moments, The Black Flamingo tells a story of self-discovery and love in all of its forms.

My thoughts

The Black Flamingo is by Dean Atta, a British poet. It’s a novel written in verse, which I used to be hesitant about, but after reading Clap When You Land, I’ve been more open to this style of writing. Clap When You Land was so good that it was one of the 10 YA books I kept in my recent book purge! So, after hearing good things about The Black Flamingo, I decided to give it a try. And I’m so glad I did.

The writing is beautiful, but in a very straightforward way. It largely describes events and Michael’s thoughts and feelings without many flourishes. Imagery is used sparingly, but to great effect. Also, as well as the book being told through verse, Michael as a character writes poetry. You get examples of his poems at various points throughout the book, and watching his voice develop is part of the joy of this book.

The Black Flamingo’s storyline

The Black Flamingo plays out chronologically, from Michael’s childhood to his first year at university. He grows up with his mother, who’s Greek. His father, barely present, is Jamaican, and Michael’s main connection with that side of his family is his uncle.

Early in the book Michael’s younger sister is born. She has a different dad, so a kid at school tells Michael that makes her his half-sister, which elicits a beautiful speech from his mother in response. She isn’t just telling him that Anna is his sister, no halves about it. She’s also telling him that he is not half black and half white; he’s a full person. Impossible to split down the middle.

While he’s coming to terms with his racial identity, Michael also has an awareness of his sexuality. Michael is gay, he never really questions that, but having to navigate the (often unkind) social world of being a British teenager is only made that much harder by not being able to be comfortably open.

The book deals head-on with issues of racism and homophobia, both of which Michael has to deal with at various points throughout his life. But it deals with them from the point of view of a teenager, a lot of the time, who isn’t always sure what it is he’s dealing with. He doesn’t always identify the microaggressions he’s met with as such, but his sense of discomfort and unease is clear nonetheless. The book also addresses internalised homophobia, which isn’t always something that you see dealt with in contemporary fiction.

Possibly my favourite thing about this book…

One thing that I love about The Black Flamingo is the way it portrays imperfect support from friends and family. His best friend Daisy is very chill when he comes out to her, but she doesn’t always have the best attitudes. His mother wants to be supportive, but doesn’t always know how to do that without putting him into a box of one kind or another. These are people who love Michael, and want the best for him, but good intentions don’t always lead to positive outcomes. And from the other side, although Michael is sometimes stung by thoughtless comments and actions, he still recognises that these are people who mean well. Most of the time, anyway.

The book allows room for nuance in these character interactions, without shying away from the prejudices and biases that influence them – consciously or otherwise. I don’t think I’ve encountered another book that handles similar situations so deftly.

In summary

I would absolutely recommend The Black Flamingo to anybody; it’s a beautiful story about finding your feet and your place in the world, and I think a lot of its messages are applicable to so many people. And if the poetry element is making you suspicious, know that I normally do not like poetry. This book reads like prose more often than not, and I found it absolutely delightful to read. It’s a beautifully honest and heartfelt coming-of-age story, and I think I’ll be revisiting it often in the future.