Hello Everyone!
A couple days ago, I finished reading The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. (For the fifth time. Yes, it is that good). So I decided I might as well share its amazingness with everyone!
The title The Hate U Give is short for “T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E.” “T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E.” means The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody. What this means: the hate America gives people at the bottom of society ends up biting them in the butt when they get older. Since the education in these low-income communities isn’t very good, people can’t get jobs. Since people can’t get jobs, people have to sell drugs. The art of selling drugs is a billion-dollar industry; they get flown into to these communities, then sold to people who sell them for more. But then, the police come and end up killing one of these people due to assumptions about low-income communities and then the people “fuck” them up by protesting and rioting because of this continuous cycle. Throughout the story, Angie Thomas brings up the cycle in various ways.
Starr is the main character in The Hate U Give. She’s sixteen, and in eleventh grade. Starr lives in Garden Heights, but she goes to a predominantly white private school. At her school, she has to alternate her personality to keep people from assuming stereotypes about her because she’s black.
Angie Thomas isn’t completely serious, there are some jokes in the story too. The jokes are funny because the characters in the book are relatable. Although Starr is older than us, she uses the language we use. (Yes, this means there are occasional curse words). Here’s a mini-spoiler, it’s completely irrelevant to the plot though. Thomas does this in a funny way, for example, “Don’t worry, hoe-dom is universal.” or “Boys and their sex drive…”.
Overall, The Hate U Give is an enjoyable book. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s above the age of thirteen. This book is excellent for anyone who wants a book to relate to, or just to read without getting bored. I’d give this book a 10/10. Once you finish this one, you should read the prequel, Concrete Rose! Although it isn’t as easy to read, or gives a message as serious as The Hate U Give, it is most definitely funnier.
I hope you enjoyed my review! Until next time…
Peace!
-Marshall
I'll definitely give it a read. I've had it on my shelf for awhile but I never got around to reading it. The fact about the title was cool too.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so first of all. I *LOVE* THE BIG H LIKE OMG HOW DID YOU DO THAT!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd second of all, The Hate U Give sounds like a truly spectacular novel, and everyone around me has read it at least once. I've been meaning to read it at some point, but I just haven't had the time to. And just out of curiosity, (if it is a spoiler don't tell me) does Starr's dual personality ever bite her in the butt?
Anyways, I *have* to read this now... after my book queue clears up...
Mattox I was thinking the same thing about the big H.
DeleteHey marshal! Although you were talking a lot about how the tone is given and perceived in the book you are writing about, that is what I'm going to point out to you for your own writing! Your blog is simple to how it drives and makes its points, yet still makes a path through the complicated topics and sentiments you are forced to talk about due to the conditions of the books. Your writing style is persuasive, and enjoyable, keep it up!
ReplyDeleteHello Marshall! This is a very interesting post, I never would've guessed The Hate U Give is short for THUG LIFE. Smart idea from the author to only include the first half :p. I've thought about reading this book many times, and now that I know more about it, I could potentially give it a whirl. Thanks!
ReplyDelete