Book Review by Sneha Khepar - The Hate You Give

 Book: The Hate You Give 

Author: Angie Thomas 

“I can’t change where i come from or what I’ve been through, so why should I be ashamed of what makes me, me.” 

Penned by Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give is a crucially vital portrayal of the discrepancy faced by minorities every day. Star, the protagonist, birthed in a middle-class black family, journeys through her routine as the sole black kid in a white school, in addition to witnessing the murder of her black best friend, Khalil by a cop. The death was unjustly proclaimed as self-defense which was accepted upon by most. As the subtle bearings of her two different worlds crumble, she is overwhelmed to stand against the jury and present her thoughts, aware of the plural criticism which would follow.  

The story also reflects the aftermath of gang violence in her neighborhood as well as the dire need to resort to drug selling as a means to earn, prevalent even in the modern times. Racism, a neglected yet essential topic is highlighted in a realistic way, as Star struggles in identifying herself while protecting the people that mean most, discovering the transparency of her relationships, depth and morale towards her own, prioritising and preaching her rights dauntingly, aversed to being tied down. She fights off her friends, her boyfriend and every onlooker into her situation, debating whether she should reveal herself as the witness of the crime and the consequences to follow. 

The book calls out walking stereotypes as the police judges Khalil for possessing an armed weapon from a distance, instead of checking it out themselves. To make matters worse, the cop takes it upon himself to shoot him out as an act of ‘self-defense’ as Star watches blood seep through his clothes. Every careless judgment linked his association with drugs to him possessing delirious qualities, resulting in his shootout, which definitely called for rigorous protests. 

The family dynamics portrayed in the book were greatly amusing. Her dad, Big Mav, and his little efforts to uplift all moods stuck by during the heavy situation. Her Nana’s bickering, the barbecue Sundays, the catfights were all moments to relish in. These characters appealed to me the most, the undying reassurance and love provided by them, building a foundation for Star’s voice to be heard. 

A chilling novel, imparting a deft rollercoaster of emotions as Star led the protests seeking just responses towards Khalil’s death, suppressing her grief and trauma throughout. Star’s powerful deliverance of the unjust policies of the directing forces impacted the society’s views distinctly. “What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?” The book is also charming and hilarious when it has to be, providing a warm ground while coping with systematic topics as racism. The winner of the ‘Goodreads Choice Awards Best of Best’, the author delivers her full potential in her debut novel, based on a true story of the shootout of Oscar Grant, in Oakland, California. 

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