The Black Flamingo – GWR
This week we are celebrating the author, Dean Atta and his debut novel, The Black Flamingo which is written in verse.
His novel was awarded the 2020 Stonewall Book Award, and shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, YA Book Prize and Jhalak Prize. His writing dealing with themes of race, gender and sexuality has appeared on the BBC and Channel 4, and in his regular column for Attitude magazine. See the video below to hear him read an extract from his fabulous novel.
This is not about being ready, it’s not even about being fierce, or fearless, it’s about being free.
Michael waits in the stage wings, wearing a pink wig, pink fluffy coat and black heels.
One more step will see him illuminated by spotlight.
He has been on a journey of bravery to get here, and he is almost ready to show himself to the world in bold colours …
Can he emerge as The Black Flamingo?
Big hearted and dizzyingly flamboyant, Atta’s verse novel about a black gay teen reclaiming his identity as a drag artist is an outspoken triumph from the opening couplet to the last.
