cpenny124's review against another edition
5.0
The Hate U Give was a book I was certain would take me awhile to finish, as I'm a slow reader, but it flew by because it was so amazing!
Angie Thomas really knows how to make strong interesting characters, and a plot line so full of realism, my heart hurts reading it.
I wish it wasn't real, all of the things that our main character, Starr, went through. It opened my eyes further to a bigoted, and ignorant world. It also showed me a family that's there for one another, though unconventional like my own, they're still loyal to those who matter, and are able to drop family members that are subjects of a toxic relationship. (Yes I believe toxic relationships can even develop between family members).
It's important that many people read this book, not to fully understand a minority and what they're going through, but to be able to see their stories, and educate ourselves on the issues happening in our world so we can better it.
Angie Thomas really knows how to make strong interesting characters, and a plot line so full of realism, my heart hurts reading it.
I wish it wasn't real, all of the things that our main character, Starr, went through. It opened my eyes further to a bigoted, and ignorant world. It also showed me a family that's there for one another, though unconventional like my own, they're still loyal to those who matter, and are able to drop family members that are subjects of a toxic relationship. (Yes I believe toxic relationships can even develop between family members).
It's important that many people read this book, not to fully understand a minority and what they're going through, but to be able to see their stories, and educate ourselves on the issues happening in our world so we can better it.
freesien's review against another edition
4.0
“I’ve seen it happen over and over again: a black person gets killed just for being black, and all hell breaks loose. I’ve tweeted RIP hashtags, reblogged pictures on Tumblr, and signed every petition out there. I always said that if I saw it happen to somebody, I would have the loudest voice, making sure the world knew what went down.
Now I am that person, and I’m too afraid to speak.”
This is simply a book that must be read. I've seen comments that say that this book will become a classic and that it will be read and analyzed in school - I agree. I also do not think that just because this book is YA that it won't appeal to adult readers. Racism is not just a timely topic - as sad as that already is - but it's been going on for centuries and it has to be adressed over and over again and it mustn't be ignored.
As a half Asian myself I can luckily say that I have never experienced any kind of racism or discrimination directed at me but I have once witnessed how my mum and my aunt who are both Asian were discriminatingly remarked at. I was shocked, angry and hurt and I cannot imagine how black people and other minorities in the U.S. have to experience racism and discrimination day after day.
Now, this is not only an important book but it's also so damn good. The characters, character dynamics, the family and friendships were all done so well. This is a deep, complex and authentic story. Angie Thomas is a skilled writer and I cannot wait to see what books she will write next.
The only two things I have to criticize are (1) the romance between Starr and her boyfriend Chris because I did not fell any chemistry between them at all and (2) the length of this book. 400+ pages could have been cut down to 300-350 pages.
clauleesi's review against another edition
5.0
“What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?”
This is truly one of those rare books that deserve every award it's gotten. Not only because it's well written, or has complex, extremely realistic characters and will keep you hooked to every single word. No, this is a book that opens eyes. Which is why [b:The Hate U Give|32075671|The Hate U Give|Angie Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1476284759l/32075671._SY75_.jpg|49638190] might actually save lives.
Young Starr is a black girl who almost lives a double life - on one hand there is the Starr that she is when at home with her family in the poor, mostly black neighbourhood that she's grown up in, and on the other, there is the Starr that goes to a preppy private school and who never wants to "sound ghetto."
Keeping these two lives and Starrs seperated is hard, but quickly turns impossible when Starr is the sole witness to a police officer murdering her childhood friend Khalil. Soon she is faced with the many horrible truths of what has happened, while Starr also has to decide if she dares to speak up or not. Doing so might give Khalil the justice he deserves, but can also put Starr and everyone she loves in even more danger.
Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, [a: Angie Thomas|15049422|Angie Thomas|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1471998209p2/15049422.jpg] debut is truly remarkable. She doesn't only write like it was something she was born to do, but in addition writes with so much wisdom and intelligence. Here is a woman that knows how to make you stop and listen. Here is a woman who is not afraid to make you stop and listen.
I loved Starrs voice and her journey through not only the chaos that was Khalils murder and the aftermath, but also her struggles of just being a black girl. And the bits with her cute, goofy and imperfect family were especially heartwarming, which I did find myself need occasionally when reading. I totally wish I could hang out with the Carters.
I'm not really sure what more to say. [b: The Hate U Give|32075671|The Hate U Give|Angie Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1476284759l/32075671._SY75_.jpg|49638190] is gripping, powerful, heart-touching and so, so important. The fact that this book is out there, to be read by people everyday, gives me hope.
Fuck racism. Fuck police brutality. And let's never be quiet when there are those that are suffering.
This is truly one of those rare books that deserve every award it's gotten. Not only because it's well written, or has complex, extremely realistic characters and will keep you hooked to every single word. No, this is a book that opens eyes. Which is why [b:The Hate U Give|32075671|The Hate U Give|Angie Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1476284759l/32075671._SY75_.jpg|49638190] might actually save lives.
Young Starr is a black girl who almost lives a double life - on one hand there is the Starr that she is when at home with her family in the poor, mostly black neighbourhood that she's grown up in, and on the other, there is the Starr that goes to a preppy private school and who never wants to "sound ghetto."
Keeping these two lives and Starrs seperated is hard, but quickly turns impossible when Starr is the sole witness to a police officer murdering her childhood friend Khalil. Soon she is faced with the many horrible truths of what has happened, while Starr also has to decide if she dares to speak up or not. Doing so might give Khalil the justice he deserves, but can also put Starr and everyone she loves in even more danger.
Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, [a: Angie Thomas|15049422|Angie Thomas|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1471998209p2/15049422.jpg] debut is truly remarkable. She doesn't only write like it was something she was born to do, but in addition writes with so much wisdom and intelligence. Here is a woman that knows how to make you stop and listen. Here is a woman who is not afraid to make you stop and listen.
I loved Starrs voice and her journey through not only the chaos that was Khalils murder and the aftermath, but also her struggles of just being a black girl. And the bits with her cute, goofy and imperfect family were especially heartwarming, which I did find myself need occasionally when reading. I totally wish I could hang out with the Carters.
I'm not really sure what more to say. [b: The Hate U Give|32075671|The Hate U Give|Angie Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1476284759l/32075671._SY75_.jpg|49638190] is gripping, powerful, heart-touching and so, so important. The fact that this book is out there, to be read by people everyday, gives me hope.
Fuck racism. Fuck police brutality. And let's never be quiet when there are those that are suffering.
mildnothing's review against another edition
5.0
I hereby declare this book to be a must-read for everybody. Period.
In the style of a young adult novel, The Hate U Give tells the story of 16 y/o Starr, witness to fatal police brutality as it is reported too many times in the news. This book addresses topics of social justice, racial issues (#blacklivesmatterand also #shitwhitepeopledo), its relevance in a white society (i.e. showing mug shots for black victims, while choosing prom pictures for white criminals) and racism. It sounds like a heavy load. It is a heavy load, but it is important because
If you're not angry you're not paying attention.
The Hate U give is a direct reference to Tupac's "The Hate You Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody" - THUG LIFE. Starr, the 16 y/o protagonist of the book, is telling her story. She's black, lives in the hood but attends a fancy school in a well-off white neighbourhood. She's leading a double life. And she sees her friend killed at the end of a police gun.
There are so many remarkable phrases in this book, but one of the last few I want to highlight:
"Everybody wants me to talk about how Khalil died," I say.
"But this isn't how Khalil died. It's about the fact that he lived. His life mattered. [...]"
(p.406-407)
It is a work of fiction, but I is real at the same time. This shit is happening right now. Somewhere. To somebody. When names become hashtags.
As intense as the topic is, [a: Angie Thomas|15049422|Angie Thomas|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1471998209p2/15049422.jpg] included heaps of ridiculous references to e.g. the Harry Potter series, which are kind of a big part of Starr's life. It seriously is a fantastic book and different from many other "white-boy-nerdy-geeky-love-adventure"-young adult novels.
In the style of a young adult novel, The Hate U Give tells the story of 16 y/o Starr, witness to fatal police brutality as it is reported too many times in the news. This book addresses topics of social justice, racial issues (#blacklivesmatterand also #shitwhitepeopledo), its relevance in a white society (i.e. showing mug shots for black victims, while choosing prom pictures for white criminals) and racism. It sounds like a heavy load. It is a heavy load, but it is important because
If you're not angry you're not paying attention.
The Hate U give is a direct reference to Tupac's "The Hate You Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody" - THUG LIFE. Starr, the 16 y/o protagonist of the book, is telling her story. She's black, lives in the hood but attends a fancy school in a well-off white neighbourhood. She's leading a double life. And she sees her friend killed at the end of a police gun.
There are so many remarkable phrases in this book, but one of the last few I want to highlight:
Spoiler
"Everybody wants me to talk about how Khalil died," I say.
"But this isn't how Khalil died. It's about the fact that he lived. His life mattered. [...]"
(p.406-407)
It is a work of fiction, but I is real at the same time. This shit is happening right now. Somewhere. To somebody. When names become hashtags.
As intense as the topic is, [a: Angie Thomas|15049422|Angie Thomas|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1471998209p2/15049422.jpg] included heaps of ridiculous references to e.g. the Harry Potter series, which are kind of a big part of Starr's life. It seriously is a fantastic book and different from many other "white-boy-nerdy-geeky-love-adventure"-young adult novels.
gorillaz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
liam__c's review against another edition
3.0
A very, very emotional ride, especially with the main plot.
Just the side-plots are a mixed-bag imo. Some turn out way better than I expected like the relationship between Chris and Starr about which I didn’t care about in the beginning, but it became one of my favorite parts of the book in the end.
But others are really weird, especially the whole Hailey thing. I mean, did she really do something wrong until the point where she just out of nowhere literally said that Kalil deserved to die? I don’t think that a joke about Chinese people, thinking someone is a drug dealer while media says exactly that all the time and not wanting to be confronted with extreme activism all the time (just because you don’t want to have activism in all aspects of your life doesn’t automatically mean that you think its bad) is as immoral as the book seemingly wants me to think. Anyway, maybe all of that was just supposed to be an unnecessary high school beef thrown in. If that’s the case, I wouldn’t have needed it.
But I don’t let that influence my rating to much. It was still a very good read.
6/10
Just the side-plots are a mixed-bag imo. Some turn out way better than I expected like the relationship between Chris and Starr about which I didn’t care about in the beginning, but it became one of my favorite parts of the book in the end.
But others are really weird, especially the whole Hailey thing. I mean, did she really do something wrong until the point where she just out of nowhere literally said that Kalil deserved to die? I don’t think that a joke about Chinese people, thinking someone is a drug dealer while media says exactly that all the time and not wanting to be confronted with extreme activism all the time (just because you don’t want to have activism in all aspects of your life doesn’t automatically mean that you think its bad) is as immoral as the book seemingly wants me to think. Anyway, maybe all of that was just supposed to be an unnecessary high school beef thrown in. If that’s the case, I wouldn’t have needed it.
But I don’t let that influence my rating to much. It was still a very good read.
6/10
oliviavictaa's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.5