Reviews

The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas

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abesreading's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

basicbbookworm's review against another edition

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5.0

It’s a little humbling to read this, feel like it’s very pertinent for today, and then realize it was written 3 years ago. Definitely an example of my white privilege to not fully realize how long lasting all facets of the BLM movement truly are. This covered all aspects of debates and issues surrounding the movement, and covered it very well. Must read, I think especially for teenagers today but really for everyone.

harris39's review against another edition

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5.0

I mean, this book is pretty much the prime example of why it's so important to be publishing (& reading!) #ownvoices books written by authors of color and other marginalized and minority peoples. And, specifically, anyone who reads this book will understand why it's important to consume books written by black authors about the black experience in America. To read this book as a non-black person was to understand that I don't know shit about what it is to be black in America (or Canada), that I will never know—in my bones, in my body—what that is like. But this book brought me a little bit closer to understanding it on a more intimate level, because it brought me into the hearts, minds, and souls of a black family and the struggles they face and allowed me to dwell with them and inhabit their experience for a while. It brought me a clearer understanding of a culture that is uniquely black (by which I do not mean to imply that there is but one "black culture" or that black people are a monolith, rather that it gave me insight into a segment of culture that would be contained under the umbrella of "black culture").

At times this book got my hackles up and made me very uncomfortable, but I realize that this is actually a gift as it highlights to me the work I need to do to dismantle my own latent prejudices—however subtle or seemingly innocuous—that have been indoctrinated in me over the years, that I need to continue to dwell in this space and keep my mind open and nonjudgmental. I see more clearly now that the line we are fed about all human beings fundamentally being the same, while true, is also only partially true, because while many of these characters' dreams, desires, feelings and troubles were certainly universal in scope, they also faced hardships and were driven by something that was tied directly to the fact that they were black and that shaped their fears and their rage and the way that they must navigate the world.

And, of course, this book reminded me that black culture, black contributions to society, black people, they all matter and are worth honoring, celebrating and protecting. What a compassionate, illuminating, but also confronting read. I'm so glad I made room for it in my life and my heart.

amarasanti's review against another edition

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5.0

Excellent book, especially for a first novel. This book could really be considered non-fiction because sadly this type of event happens in our world on a daily basis. The author very clearly draws a picture of each of the characters. You feel like you know them and have a stake in what happens to them. You can feel the struggles of each person and you can learn a lot about what it would be like if you were in their shoes. I love that, with her first novel, she focused on such a charged subject. One that needs people to continue to shine a light on it. Way to go Angie Thomas! I for one will be looking forward to your next book.