Book Review: THUG

September 13, 2019

Book Review: THUG

THE HATE U GIVE, ANGIE THOMAS

“What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?"

- Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give

Title: The Hate U Give

Author: Angie Thomas

Publisher: Walker Books

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Format: Paperback

Language: English

Pages: 438

Synopsis:

The book, The Hate U Give, is narrated by 16-year-old Starr Carter. She lives in a poor neighbourhood called Garden Heights and goes to a school in the suburbs with mostly rich white people in it.

She manages to maintain a good balance between her two worlds until she witnesses the shooting of her childhood friend Khalil by a police officer just because he 'thought' he's dangerous and he 'thought' that the black comb in his car is a gun. You might think that the officer will be convicted immediately, but things are not so easy.

Soon this incident becomes a headline, a hash-tag, a hot topic on social media. There are protesters on the road asking for justice, there are people who are calling Khalil a drug dealer, some are calling him a gang-banger and some are calling him a Thug. What Starr says can play a pivotal role in bringing Khalil justice, but it can also endanger her and her family's life.

Review:

I loved this THUG. It was pretty hyped up when it was released in the year 2017. I would say it lived up to the hype.

Starr is such a strong character, no she's not all fearless she is scared but that doesn't stop her from doing the right thing, and that's what being brave actually means, and this book beautifully highlights it. She is truly an inspiration. I loved seeing her grow throughout the book.

I loved the Carter family. They were so realistically portrayed. They have their misunderstandings, different views, but even after all these differences, they come together as a close-knit family having each others back, respectful of each others decisions and supportive of each other through everything. The siblings tease each other but they also protect each other fiercely. Also, the parents do everything they can for their kids.

Every character is well written and has their own significance. The title of the book is so appropriate. It is explained in the book at the start itself, and as you read further you'll understand it even better. The meaning of 'Thug Life' was a revelation for me.

A note from the author to the readers of The Hate You Give

I've never read a YA novel this bold and beautiful in all aspects, that talks about such an important social issue that needs to be eradicated. This book discusses about discrimination, racism and police brutality. It is a must-read, a book that will make you understand the importance of raising your voice, getting involved in bringing about change and make you aware of the various social issues in a way that will leave a mark on your mind. What I loved the most about this book was the simplicity and how real this book was. The language is easy to read, the writing style is very simple and yet beautiful that you want to keep on reading. I also loved the realistic portrayal of the characters and the environment, the way it mentions and discusses the various social issues and the problems residing in our society and in our minds.

This was like an eye-opener for me. It made me realise that #BlackLivesMatter is not just a hash-tag, it's so much more, it's a revolution, a movement, it's a protest against injustice and discrimination. Racism is such an evil thing that rots our society from within. Every life matters, every voice matters, speaking up against wrong and taking a stand matters. It might not change much, but a little change is also a change after all, and it matters.

If you haven't read The Hate U Give already, then do pick this up and give it a read. I cannot recommend this book enough. It was one of my best reads of the year 2018(the year I read it). Usually, YA books do not leave much of an impact on me, but this one was on another level.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

The Hate U Give was also adapted into a movie of the same name in the year 2018, starring Amandla Stenberg, Sabrina Carpenter, K.J. Apa and many more.