Behind the Mic: On The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta, Read by the Author

Every Monday through Friday, AudioFile’s editors recommend the best in audiobook listening. We keep our daily episodes short and sweet, with audiobook clips to give you a sample of our featured listens.

Poet Dean Atta draws on his skills as a spoken-word performer to deliver his novel in verse, which features an intimate, empowering portrayal of a Black gay teenager coming of age in Britain. On today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the power of hearing Atta’s poetry read by the author, whose casual and conversational delivery also highlights all of the emotions and rhythms of the poetry. The story centers around Michael, a mixed-race teen who is raised by his mother and whose voice matures as listeners hear him grow from a curious 6-year-old to a bold university student finding his voice through poetry and drag performances. Highly recommended listening, and the winner of this year’s YA Stonewall Book Award.

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