One of the most gut-wrenching books I have ever read. I was in public so I had to hold back tears more than once while reading. Not only during Khalil’s death but during the police station, Natasha’s death, Starr’s nightmare… Heartbreaking.
I am not from the US and I although I am not white, I cannot say I have ever suffered such an experience as the ones that Starr, her family, and friends have to live through. You learn about what is going on in the United States and although you think it’s sad and horrible you aren’t in the shoes of the people dying. Being in Starr shoes was an experience. Racism exists everywhere and there have been moments where I go “Was that…?” or have defended other people and argued with racists, but I have had the blessing of never being the target of obvious racism.
The Hate U Give doesn’t simply center around Khalil’s death, it includes underlying racism, poverty, gang violence, and why young people become part of them, the effects of drugs on individuals, families, communities, crime in impoverished communities, and domestic violence. Hailey’s activism for feminism, but underlying racism that she refuses to admit, DeVante dealing with his mistakes, Khalil’s drug connections, the no snitching rule that keeps the King Lords running, King’s violence toward anyone near him…
However, with all of those terrible realities, Angie Thomas also includes family, love, friendship, and community in the book in a beautiful, wonderful way that balances out the real-world problems that make people bawl their eyes out while reading the book. Starr and all the characters in the book rely on their family and connection to save them over and over again, to find peace in small moments of joy with a family meal or arguing about video games…
Honestly, this is probably one of the best books I have read in a very long time, and definitely of 2020. It goes perfectly with the moment in history we are living and reminds me that we need other people to be okay, that we must be able to rely on someone because all we need sometimes is to lean on someone.
I could write essays about Angie Thomas’ work here (probably will), but I won’t do it right now. I will keep it at this very small one-page review of The Hate U Give, which I recommend.
I am not from the US and although I am not white, I cannot say I have ever suffered such an experience as the ones that Starr, her family, and friends have to live through. You learn about what is going on in the United States and although you think it’s sad and horrible you aren’t in the shoes of the people dying. Being in Starr shoes was an experience. Racism exists everywhere and there have been moments where I go “Was that…?” or have defended other people and argued with racists, but I have had the blessing of never being the target of obvious racism.
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