Scan barcode
A review by readingcavern
The State of Us by Shaun David Hutchinson
5.0
“Love shouldn’t divide us. In fact, when we are divided, love is the bridge that keeps us connected”
“Someone tried to use my son’s happiness as a weapon to divide us. Happiness isn’t a weapon. Love isn’t a weapon”
These two quotes will stay with me for a long time!!
I want to start off by saying that I understand people’s frustrations with this book, however I must say I do not necessarily agree with all of them. I thought this was a beautiful book about young love, self discovery, bravery and happiness. I loved how Dean and Dre’s journey of love also was a journey of self discovery, for both of them. They were brought together by what originally divided them and through that, in spite of having to jump through a bunch of hoops underway to get there (as with every relationship, especially teenage/young ones), they managed to inspire and bring so many people together. I think their relationship very much can be seen as a metaphor for something larger; how at the end of the day, we are all human beings.
I think it is safe to assume that, both with the contextual metaphors throughout the book and with the time it was published, this book was a response and critique of the rising polarisation of American, and global to be honest, politics. I think the author did an amazing job at portraying this issue (because the rising polarisation IS an issue) in a powerful, yet respectful way - woven into a beautiful love story that makes the statement even more powerful.
Politics should not be the only thing defining us and, most importantly, it should not divide us.
A definite 5 star read for me⭐️
ps. I totally understand and respect people’s frustrations with this book and I by no means wish to undermine anyone’s opinion or feelings toward this book. I am only expressing my own personal experience and thoughts around reading the book <3
“Someone tried to use my son’s happiness as a weapon to divide us. Happiness isn’t a weapon. Love isn’t a weapon”
These two quotes will stay with me for a long time!!
I want to start off by saying that I understand people’s frustrations with this book, however I must say I do not necessarily agree with all of them. I thought this was a beautiful book about young love, self discovery, bravery and happiness. I loved how Dean and Dre’s journey of love also was a journey of self discovery, for both of them. They were brought together by what originally divided them and through that, in spite of having to jump through a bunch of hoops underway to get there (as with every relationship, especially teenage/young ones), they managed to inspire and bring so many people together. I think their relationship very much can be seen as a metaphor for something larger; how at the end of the day, we are all human beings.
I think it is safe to assume that, both with the contextual metaphors throughout the book and with the time it was published, this book was a response and critique of the rising polarisation of American, and global to be honest, politics. I think the author did an amazing job at portraying this issue (because the rising polarisation IS an issue) in a powerful, yet respectful way - woven into a beautiful love story that makes the statement even more powerful.
Politics should not be the only thing defining us and, most importantly, it should not divide us.
A definite 5 star read for me⭐️
ps. I totally understand and respect people’s frustrations with this book and I by no means wish to undermine anyone’s opinion or feelings toward this book. I am only expressing my own personal experience and thoughts around reading the book <3