Rachel Reviews: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
A book about people and the injustices that are served and the battle to conquer them
When your 14 year old boy, who doesn't read fiction, tells you to read The Hate U Give because "I think you'll like it, Mum", you don't decline. You pick that book up and you devour it. And it wasn't hard to like this book although in a lot of ways, there's not a lot to like.
With that contradictory statement, let me explain. The book concerns itself with Starr who witnesses the shooting of her childhood friend, Khalil. That in itself is a heartbreaking tale, only it's not some street killing: he's killed by a cop. A white cop and Starr and Khalil are black. Yes, this opens up a whole other story. Add that it's in a deprived neighbourhood called Garden Heights, plagued by drugs and gangs and you're reading a novel of our times, for sure.
Angie Thomas' book covers many things. It is a book about a shooting and injustice but it is also a book about family and community and coming together; it's also a coming-of-age book and all of the awkwardness, excitement and anxiety that comes with being a teen; it's about roots and identity and hopes and aspirations and whether wanting a better life means leaving behind what you know and moving elsewhere, although it may be seen as betrayal; it's a book about desperation, violence and having nowhere to turn and what do you do when you have nothing and no-one to help you but you still have to live somehow?
So when I say there's not a lot to like, it's because a mirror has been held up to society and there's a whole lot of ugly reflected back. The book is good. It is a great read and Thomas' storytelling is vivid, right; her characters are rounded and the narrative flows. It's a book you can read quickly and fluidly. But it is hard-hitting in what it depicts and doing it through the eyes of a black teenage girl heightens that vulnerability. It is a social treatise for things to change; for a long hard look to be taken to see the people behind statistics and the families who are struggling, in communities that receive no investment, and to not give up on them or leave them to decline.
Read it. You won't be disappointed. I was especially pleased that Starr is depicted as strong, despite being scared. She has integrity and emotional intelligence and Thomas shows her conflicted emotions adroitly.
Despite its subject matter, it is a hopeful book. Light is hitting that mirror of ugly like a searchlight and showing there's nowhere to hide and in these dark days in which we live, we need to read books like this to see the human element that we all share beneath our skin.
Rachel Rating: 5 blooming stars!
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Comments (8)
Nice review of the book. So much injustice in U.S. surrounding race and the author grew up in the south, is black, and so would have great insight into unjust treatment. I haven't read it but it sounds great - and I see it's a movie also. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MM8OkVT0hw
Not a bad movie, either. Enjoyed the review, Rachel.
I still don't think I'm gonna add this to my TBR, lol. The fact that your son recommended this book because he thinks you'll like it, that was so sweet!
I’ve heard so many great things about this book, I’ll have to read it. It’s awesome that your son recommended it, Rachel!
Thank you for the review, Rachel! This book is next on my reading list, so I am even more excited to start it 🥰🥰
This is a brilliant and an insightful review, Rachel! The fact that your 14 yr old son recommended it is even more commendable! The barbarians are not at the gates anymore, they are in charge. I cannot tell you how depressing that is. Optimism comes hard these days, that’s for sure!
This is a powerful and insightful review, capturing both the book's strengths and its vital social commentary. "So when I say there's not a lot to like, it's because a mirror has been held up to society and there's a whole lot of ugly reflected back." -- That perfectly frames the book's impact. The personal connection, starting with the son's recommendation, adds a layer of warmth and authenticity.🌞🩶🤎
Excellent review. I love how reflective you were in reviewing this book which in itself is a reflective view of society. This is one I would love to read. It would be a sad read as it does truly reflect society here in the United States in the current day. Thank you for sharing.