The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

This novel is a bold and lyrical coming-of-age story that follows the life of a mixed-race gay teenager as he grapples with his identity and finds his voice through the art of drag performance. Told in verse, the narrative captures the protagonist's journey from a young boy struggling with the complexities of race, masculinity, and sexuality to a confident performer who embraces his uniqueness. The protagonist's transformation into the Black Flamingo becomes a powerful metaphor for self-discovery and self-acceptance, offering an inspiring message about the importance of being true to oneself.

The 9255th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 102

Since this book was first published in 2019, there is a penalty of 72.0%. The age adjusted score is 28.56.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.