Dean Atta’s The Black Flamingo tells the story of Michael, a teenager navigating the world and coming to terms with his identity in this bold and beautiful tale. Written entirely in verse, this book is immediately unique in the way it is written and, therefore, read. The verse style allows the author to put emphasis on specific words or sentences so that they resonate in a different way for the reader.
Michael’s story explores the experiences of a young, gay, mixed-race teenager and how each of these identities intersects. To begin with, Michael struggles with the conflicts each of these parts of his identity seem to have, however, he eventually realises that all of these things and many other aspects of his personality and life make him unique and that is something powerful that he can embrace.
The book also tackles important but often difficult topics including homophobia and racism, both of which are portrayed in two different forms: bullying and prejudice from outsiders as well as the internalised homophobia and racism that many of the characters hold and have to come to terms with themselves. The Black Flamingo also highlights the issues surrounding toxic masculinity and the way it often forces boys and young men away from the things they love and towards stereotypically acceptable ‘masculine’ traits and activities. The Black Flamingo explores the blurring of gender, gender fluidity and non-conformity, touching on gender pronouns, non-binary representation and the importance of using people’s correct pronouns to validate their identity.
Atta’s debut novel has been challenged for its positive LGBTQ+ representation, with conservative parents and educators alike deeming it obscene and inappropriate for junior secondary school students.
Atta, D. (2019). The Black Flamingo. Hodder & Staughton.