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4.58 AVERAGE
4.58 AVERAGE
All over the world, people like me, who aren't American, watch the news with nervous breath, wondering what fresh hell the current political climate is about to unleash on its citizens. But there are some issues and problems that predate this climate and even my own existence. The Hate U Give talks about one of the biggest problems America has ever had and that is its history of deeply rooted racism - yes, there's no other way to put it.
At the end of the novel, Thomas talks about how she never faced the things that she saw characters go through in films. No racial profiling or slurs or open discrimination. However, multiple of videos of police brutality against young black men prompted her to write this story and express her anger at everything around her, including the system that incorporates things like these and the people who enable them.
It is that anger which springs from each and every page of The Hate U Give. Thomas' voice is crystal clear as she tells us a story that unfortunately we've heard too many times on the news. Young black male is shot by cop followed by some really flimsy reasons. People get angry, they protest, there are hashtags, tv interviews, grand juries, media circuses and in the end the cop is set free with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. Thomas takes us through every element of this so called circus and instead of telling us how it is, she puts us right in the middle of it. The rest is up to us.
That's frankly the genius of it all - the display of how everything actually is. There's an instance of Starr's dad talking to her about how children turn to selling drugs but also about why they do it when they could choose not to. To a non-American like myself this exchange between a father and child was eye opening and it honestly made me a understand a lot, while reminding me that there is much I still do not understand. And even while we get to witness the impact this has on a community, we also get to observe how this affects people at an individual level. Starr's trauma and going through it page by page was heartbreaking yet uplifting at times she embraces her fear and speaks up. Also, kudos to Angie Thomas to taking time in the book to actually show the various characters actually interacting and behaving a like a very real family. Her depiction of Starr's entire family was really endearing and there were multiple moments I laughed out loud.
The Hate U Give is a very important book and a very timely story. The fact that it is based very much in real events makes it all the more so. It takes about change and why it's sorely needed. Everybody should read this book and once the tears have dried, read it again.
At the end of the novel, Thomas talks about how she never faced the things that she saw characters go through in films. No racial profiling or slurs or open discrimination. However, multiple of videos of police brutality against young black men prompted her to write this story and express her anger at everything around her, including the system that incorporates things like these and the people who enable them.
It is that anger which springs from each and every page of The Hate U Give. Thomas' voice is crystal clear as she tells us a story that unfortunately we've heard too many times on the news. Young black male is shot by cop followed by some really flimsy reasons. People get angry, they protest, there are hashtags, tv interviews, grand juries, media circuses and in the end the cop is set free with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. Thomas takes us through every element of this so called circus and instead of telling us how it is, she puts us right in the middle of it. The rest is up to us.
That's frankly the genius of it all - the display of how everything actually is. There's an instance of Starr's dad talking to her about how children turn to selling drugs but also about why they do it when they could choose not to. To a non-American like myself this exchange between a father and child was eye opening and it honestly made me a understand a lot, while reminding me that there is much I still do not understand. And even while we get to witness the impact this has on a community, we also get to observe how this affects people at an individual level. Starr's trauma and going through it page by page was heartbreaking yet uplifting at times she embraces her fear and speaks up. Also, kudos to Angie Thomas to taking time in the book to actually show the various characters actually interacting and behaving a like a very real family. Her depiction of Starr's entire family was really endearing and there were multiple moments I laughed out loud.
The Hate U Give is a very important book and a very timely story. The fact that it is based very much in real events makes it all the more so. It takes about change and why it's sorely needed. Everybody should read this book and once the tears have dried, read it again.
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Always read books with a little too much realism for my biopic authors because this does happen every day just because I’m not seeing it doesn’t mean that it isn’t real.
The emotions I felt reading the hate you give were: love, hate anger, and sorrows.
It’s OK that some people are ignorant to the issues of minorities in the United States of America. They just don’t know but for those who just don’t want to understand, I feel sad.
I know when I read this book again it’s going to trigger all the same emotions that they did the first time. However, I do hope when you read this be prepared to be triggered regardless of what ethnicity you are this story is not for the faint of hearts.
The emotions I felt reading the hate you give were: love, hate anger, and sorrows.
It’s OK that some people are ignorant to the issues of minorities in the United States of America. They just don’t know but for those who just don’t want to understand, I feel sad.
I know when I read this book again it’s going to trigger all the same emotions that they did the first time. However, I do hope when you read this be prepared to be triggered regardless of what ethnicity you are this story is not for the faint of hearts.
I didn't think this book could possibly be as good as everyone said it was but it is. Stayed up too late to finish the whole thing in a couple hours. Really really good.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was so beautifully done. You really felt like you were in Star’s shoes. You could empathize with her. Feel her pain. Understand her mental and emotional struggle.
I loved the juxtaposition of Chris, Maya and Haley. Chris made mistakes but he was willing to learn from them and be better. Haley never learned and was not willing to make herself uncomfortable to become a better friend. And maya and Star learned how to be there for each other.
This was a great read on racism, Black culture, and police brutality while making it relatable and palpable.
I loved the juxtaposition of Chris, Maya and Haley. Chris made mistakes but he was willing to learn from them and be better. Haley never learned and was not willing to make herself uncomfortable to become a better friend. And maya and Star learned how to be there for each other.
This was a great read on racism, Black culture, and police brutality while making it relatable and palpable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism
Moderate: Child death, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, Toxic friendship
I don't like the idea of "required reading" but this is about as required as it gets. An unarmed 17yo black kid gets shot and killed by cops and the ending is no surprise. Angie Thomas does a great job breaking this case from every angle, but most importantly from the angle of the people and community torn apart by such injustices.
"It's about Seven. Sekani. Kenya. Devante. It's also about Oscar. Aiyana. Trayvon. Rekia. Michael. Eric. Tamir. John. Ezell. Sandra. Freddie. Alton. Philando. Emmett. The messed-up part? There are so many more."
I read this book in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and i don't regret it. "Khalil lived" but so did George Floyd and many others.
I read this book in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and i don't regret it. "Khalil lived" but so did George Floyd and many others.
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No