What do you think?
Rate this book
Flamboyance: A Paradigm-Shifting Cultural History of Flamboyance and Self-Expression
*A Next Big Ideas Club Must Read Book for May*
*A Notable Book in BookRiot, LGBTQReads, The Daily Kos*
For fans of Susan Cain and Jenny Odell, an indispensable, paradigm-shifting exploration of flamboyance—tracing its history and social significance through the lives of those who embody it and offering a roadmap for anyone looking to harness the power of their own inner flame
Flamboyance ignites every aspect of our lives, from art and entertainment to ritual and protest. The word connotes an exuberance of thought and expression, and often, unbridled, unashamed passion. Yet historically the term “flamboyant” has been reserved for the over-the-top and the outré, invoked at times as a pejorative innuendo or worse.
Celebrated author and scholar Jack Parlett digs into the nature of flamboyance to offer a new, empowering reframing of a quality that any of us can and should harness more regularly. From Judy Garland to Lil Nas X, Parlett highlights the stories of flamboyant figures throughout history to show how, by harnessing our own inner flame, we break free from cultural expectations that don’t serve us and live a brighter, happier, more audaciously fulfilling life.
*A Notable Book in BookRiot, LGBTQReads, The Daily Kos*
For fans of Susan Cain and Jenny Odell, an indispensable, paradigm-shifting exploration of flamboyance—tracing its history and social significance through the lives of those who embody it and offering a roadmap for anyone looking to harness the power of their own inner flame
Flamboyance ignites every aspect of our lives, from art and entertainment to ritual and protest. The word connotes an exuberance of thought and expression, and often, unbridled, unashamed passion. Yet historically the term “flamboyant” has been reserved for the over-the-top and the outré, invoked at times as a pejorative innuendo or worse.
Celebrated author and scholar Jack Parlett digs into the nature of flamboyance to offer a new, empowering reframing of a quality that any of us can and should harness more regularly. From Judy Garland to Lil Nas X, Parlett highlights the stories of flamboyant figures throughout history to show how, by harnessing our own inner flame, we break free from cultural expectations that don’t serve us and live a brighter, happier, more audaciously fulfilling life.
- GenresNonfictionQueer
304 pages, Hardcover
Published May 26, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 4, 2026
From flamingos, to Chappel Roan, to Oscar Wilde, this book travels the path of Flamboyance and queerness from the beginning to now. One part etymological, one part memoir, all parts gay. I enjoyed the niche information and how it was shared with a queer lens and definitely recommend celebrating pride month by reading this!
June 8, 2026
This was such a great book for pride month. The title immediately caught my eye when I saw it. I’m always trying to read something that will educate me more on queer history and the people who helped us get to where we are now.
The author isn’t too much older than me, but enough so that some of his icons are a little different from mine. He’s also lived a very different life from me. Grew up in a different place surrounded by different people. It’s so interesting how these things can alter your queer experience.
Anyway, Flamboyance: The Power of Living Boldly explores different art and icons throughout the years that have contributed to queer culture (whether they themselves were LGBTQ+ or not). Along the way, the author peppers in anecdotes about his own experiences coming to terms with his sexuality throughout the course of his life. Parlett explains how he was singled out as a young boy and the struggles he went through to deconstruct his internalized homophobia. It’s heartwarming to hear how allowing yourself to be flamboyant can be freeing. Presenting yourself in the ways you want rather than “toning it down” to blend in is healing.
Many people perceive the word “flamboyant” as negative. They think it automatically means someone is seeking attention in the way they express themselves. (This kind of touches on the fact that humans are social creatures and it’s natural to crave attention to a certain degree, but I’ll spare you that rant for now.) But we’re allowed to be flamboyant just for ourselves.
Side note: one of my favorite anecdotes in this book was when Parlett explains how flamboyance is everywhere. Sometimes people will present flamboyantly without meaning to or noticing. Even the way Trump presents himself with his orange spray tan and the way he speaks is an example of flamboyance. Like it or hate it, it makes him stand out.
Parlett also talks about his struggles with alcoholism. Addiction is a prevalent issue in queer communities and I always thought it was just because it was a way of coping with everything we tend to have to keep bottled up. However, the author points out that everyone tends to be more flamboyant when they’re intoxicated. The things you’re willing to do or say under the influence are more vast than if you were sober. People tend to mistake this intoxicated version of themselves as their more authentic selves because the feeling of lowering your inhibitions in that way would never come that easily when sober. We forget that we can do the things that make us feel good without the help of alcohol or drugs. It makes sense as to why queer people especially would be drawn to the freeness these substances offer. If things get out of hand, the blame can be offloaded onto the intoxicants. It takes a lot more courage to express yourself and take risks sober, but it can be so much more rewarding in return.
This book gives you a lot to think about in the way you want to be perceived and the way you perceive others. I really recommend picking it up this pride month (or any other month of the year).
I minored in LGBTQ+ studies and would have loved to discuss this with my classmates. I think a queer book club would really enjoy reading this together and discussing the ways in which they can or can’t relate to the author.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced listener copy of Flamboyance.
The author isn’t too much older than me, but enough so that some of his icons are a little different from mine. He’s also lived a very different life from me. Grew up in a different place surrounded by different people. It’s so interesting how these things can alter your queer experience.
Anyway, Flamboyance: The Power of Living Boldly explores different art and icons throughout the years that have contributed to queer culture (whether they themselves were LGBTQ+ or not). Along the way, the author peppers in anecdotes about his own experiences coming to terms with his sexuality throughout the course of his life. Parlett explains how he was singled out as a young boy and the struggles he went through to deconstruct his internalized homophobia. It’s heartwarming to hear how allowing yourself to be flamboyant can be freeing. Presenting yourself in the ways you want rather than “toning it down” to blend in is healing.
Many people perceive the word “flamboyant” as negative. They think it automatically means someone is seeking attention in the way they express themselves. (This kind of touches on the fact that humans are social creatures and it’s natural to crave attention to a certain degree, but I’ll spare you that rant for now.) But we’re allowed to be flamboyant just for ourselves.
Side note: one of my favorite anecdotes in this book was when Parlett explains how flamboyance is everywhere. Sometimes people will present flamboyantly without meaning to or noticing. Even the way Trump presents himself with his orange spray tan and the way he speaks is an example of flamboyance. Like it or hate it, it makes him stand out.
Parlett also talks about his struggles with alcoholism. Addiction is a prevalent issue in queer communities and I always thought it was just because it was a way of coping with everything we tend to have to keep bottled up. However, the author points out that everyone tends to be more flamboyant when they’re intoxicated. The things you’re willing to do or say under the influence are more vast than if you were sober. People tend to mistake this intoxicated version of themselves as their more authentic selves because the feeling of lowering your inhibitions in that way would never come that easily when sober. We forget that we can do the things that make us feel good without the help of alcohol or drugs. It makes sense as to why queer people especially would be drawn to the freeness these substances offer. If things get out of hand, the blame can be offloaded onto the intoxicants. It takes a lot more courage to express yourself and take risks sober, but it can be so much more rewarding in return.
This book gives you a lot to think about in the way you want to be perceived and the way you perceive others. I really recommend picking it up this pride month (or any other month of the year).
I minored in LGBTQ+ studies and would have loved to discuss this with my classmates. I think a queer book club would really enjoy reading this together and discussing the ways in which they can or can’t relate to the author.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced listener copy of Flamboyance.
June 2, 2026
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Funny, incisive, and most of all, passionate, Flamboyance is the hot new niche history book you didn’t know you needed but most definitely do.
While it’s not quite a niche or micro-history in the vein of a Mary Roach or Mark Kurlansky book, it does have elements of that genre. Flamboyance is more akin to a microhistory, memoir, and mediation on the concept all rolled into one. So much more than merely a catalog of history's most flamboyant figures (though there is that too, from Oscar Wilde and Quentin Crisp to Billie Holliday and Chappell Roan) this book is a thorough exploration of the subject from every possible angle. The social, cultural and economic implications, how the definition and perception of flamboyant behavior has changed throughout history, discussions on the ethics of documentary filmmaking and the thorny topic of cultural appropriation. All these elements and more are explored with an admirable balance of wit and humor. It’s a book that will educate and entertain in equal measure.
The author’s personal reflections on what living flamboyantly has meant to him, his own “skin in the game” as he terms it, is a high point as well. Normally, I can’t stand author’s inserting personal anecdotes about their lives into non-fiction titles. More often than not this type of writing tends to dampen rather than deepen the narrative. Usually the personal parts included are not all that interesting to boot. However, I very much enjoyed the authors inclusion of personal material here. So far from being a distraction, it provided everyday examples for thinking about flamboyance and added context to the work. Learning about Dandies from the 1800’s is all well and good, but hearing a personal story about working up the courage to wear a loud coat in public is something we can all relate to on some level.
I listened to this title as an audiobook narrated by the always superb Joe Jameson. Jameson is one of those truly skilled voice actors that’s so good I will listen to a book purely based on his narration (in this particular case I was also invested in the subject matter as well). His cadence and vocal range is wonderful and his voice elevates any text he reads. He was the best possible choice for narrating this book.
P.S.
This book also introduced me to one of my new favorite quotes of all time, it's from the British author and raconteur Quentin Crisp, “You first have to find who you are. Then, you have to be it like mad.”
Funny, incisive, and most of all, passionate, Flamboyance is the hot new niche history book you didn’t know you needed but most definitely do.
While it’s not quite a niche or micro-history in the vein of a Mary Roach or Mark Kurlansky book, it does have elements of that genre. Flamboyance is more akin to a microhistory, memoir, and mediation on the concept all rolled into one. So much more than merely a catalog of history's most flamboyant figures (though there is that too, from Oscar Wilde and Quentin Crisp to Billie Holliday and Chappell Roan) this book is a thorough exploration of the subject from every possible angle. The social, cultural and economic implications, how the definition and perception of flamboyant behavior has changed throughout history, discussions on the ethics of documentary filmmaking and the thorny topic of cultural appropriation. All these elements and more are explored with an admirable balance of wit and humor. It’s a book that will educate and entertain in equal measure.
The author’s personal reflections on what living flamboyantly has meant to him, his own “skin in the game” as he terms it, is a high point as well. Normally, I can’t stand author’s inserting personal anecdotes about their lives into non-fiction titles. More often than not this type of writing tends to dampen rather than deepen the narrative. Usually the personal parts included are not all that interesting to boot. However, I very much enjoyed the authors inclusion of personal material here. So far from being a distraction, it provided everyday examples for thinking about flamboyance and added context to the work. Learning about Dandies from the 1800’s is all well and good, but hearing a personal story about working up the courage to wear a loud coat in public is something we can all relate to on some level.
I listened to this title as an audiobook narrated by the always superb Joe Jameson. Jameson is one of those truly skilled voice actors that’s so good I will listen to a book purely based on his narration (in this particular case I was also invested in the subject matter as well). His cadence and vocal range is wonderful and his voice elevates any text he reads. He was the best possible choice for narrating this book.
P.S.
This book also introduced me to one of my new favorite quotes of all time, it's from the British author and raconteur Quentin Crisp, “You first have to find who you are. Then, you have to be it like mad.”
June 29, 2026
Flamboyance: The Power of Living Boldly by Jack Parlett is a vibrant and insightful exploration of self-expression, individuality, and the courage to embrace a life beyond conventional expectations.
What stands out is the book’s celebration of boldness as more than a style or performance—it presents flamboyance as a powerful form of identity, creativity, and resistance. Parlett examines how visibility, confidence, and personal expression can shape the way people understand themselves and their place in the world.
The book offers an engaging perspective for readers interested in culture, identity, creativity, and the ways people challenge social boundaries through self-expression. Thoughtful and reflective, it encourages readers to reconsider what it means to live authentically and unapologetically.
A compelling read for anyone interested in individuality, cultural expression, and the transformative power of embracing who you truly are.
What stands out is the book’s celebration of boldness as more than a style or performance—it presents flamboyance as a powerful form of identity, creativity, and resistance. Parlett examines how visibility, confidence, and personal expression can shape the way people understand themselves and their place in the world.
The book offers an engaging perspective for readers interested in culture, identity, creativity, and the ways people challenge social boundaries through self-expression. Thoughtful and reflective, it encourages readers to reconsider what it means to live authentically and unapologetically.
A compelling read for anyone interested in individuality, cultural expression, and the transformative power of embracing who you truly are.
September 4, 2026
I don’t normally do this but I want to say I’m sorry for the late review and explain why. (I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review). It is not because I wasn’t interested in the book – quite the oppiosite. It is because I loved it so much and found it so meaningful that for a while, I could not quite bring myself to finish it, because then the first reading of this wonderful book would be over.
This book is an exploration of a word rife with meaning and importance and the icons, moments, and symbols crucial to our exploration and understanding of flamboyance. This book approaches said items and people with realism but also a romanticism that has inspired me to take a moment to appreciate the artistic and flamboyant potential in our own lives and encourages us not to apologize for wanting to live loudly, whatever that looks like for each one of us.
This book is an exploration of a word rife with meaning and importance and the icons, moments, and symbols crucial to our exploration and understanding of flamboyance. This book approaches said items and people with realism but also a romanticism that has inspired me to take a moment to appreciate the artistic and flamboyant potential in our own lives and encourages us not to apologize for wanting to live loudly, whatever that looks like for each one of us.
August 12, 2026
This book is a bit of a mess. I really wanted to like it. There are moments of greatness, but overall it's poorly connected with tenuous associations between chapters. The author clearly has his heart in the material, and I appreciated that, but it's very formulaic overall, until the structure just falls apart about 2/3 of the way through and it just becomes a series of essays divided via chapter. Overall, a fun and easy read if you are interested in a loose memoir.
June 1, 2026
This was beautifully informative! I loved seeing and hearing more history on flamboyance and it's transformation through history to something far more embraced rather than a back handed sort of insult. A great look at LGBTQIA+ history and where it is now! Always be you!
June 9, 2026
This book was like reading someone’s extended thesis, integrating beautifully written blog posts into an academic cultural review of fiery content. It’s hard to describe how this book threads each chapter together, but queer people know the feeling. Memories, moments, and history all leading to identity and meaning behind anything from kitschy flamingos, to the way we swing our hips. I love an intellectual “micro history” i would never myself manifest. Thank you to the author and NetGalley and the Publisher for the free audiobook!!
August 21, 2026
I read this book not knowing what to expect and was surprised by its deep reflections on "flamboyance" throughout history to the present and how it is intertwined in so many areas of life. This is an area I had not given much thought to but will from now on.
August 15, 2026
Audio 89
July 20, 2026
not just gay as in happy, but flamboyant as in angry
protest, a queer refusal to accept the drab and hostile realities offered by a negligent society in a time of crisis … something blazing and beautiful, a reminder of passion in a barren landscape … burnished with a fiery hue and containing multitudes.
protest, a queer refusal to accept the drab and hostile realities offered by a negligent society in a time of crisis … something blazing and beautiful, a reminder of passion in a barren landscape … burnished with a fiery hue and containing multitudes.
June 11, 2026
A poignant, enlightening read - part-memoir, part-history, all heart.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews