The Hate U Give

So… I usually am not one to watch the movie before reading the book and I promise you I wouldn’t have done so, but I remembered I saw the movie while reading and I was very upset with myself. It’s just not something I do so I felt like I failed at life (yes I’m being sarcastic). The Hate U Give written by Angie Thomas is nothing short of amazing.

I’m a huge fan of the movie but I would say without a doubt the book is better. In all cases. I’m a nerd. I have nothing bad to say about it. I’d be lying if I said the main characters in the movie weren’t who I pictured while reading. That’s part of the reason I like to read before I watch the films so I can come up with my own opinion of who and how the author wanted to have the characters portrayed. Even for the characters who weren’t the focus, like Maya, Kenya, Hailey, and Seven ( played by Lamar Johnson) I remember what they looked like but small details in the book my brain is thinking…is this really what they looked like when the movie came out. Example, Seven had dread locks in the book, I don’t remember the actor who portrayed him having them, not a biggie it’s just how my brain works.

What I will say, the father, Maverick played by Russell Hornsby I envisioned how I embodied the character on film exactly as the father in the book. It’s kind of like how you’re so used to seeing certain characters play certain roles; like how the All State Commercial guy “Are you in good hands?” will always be the father in Love & Basketball in my head. “Can’t should never be in a man’s vocabulary” (if you know the movie you’ll understand the reference). Anyway, mini rant over. Maverick was this strong, pro-black everything, f*** the police, street man who wanted the best for his children, even if circumstances didn’t always present itself that way.

The Hate U Give  is the type of book that will always be prevalent. It was published (2017) during a time when police brutality seemed to spread like wild fire around the country. This book is a reminder that children of African American race in instances will not be provided justice.

The main character Starr fought hard for her friend Khalil who was wrongfully shot by a white male cop. As to not give away the entire story, I’m sure you can guess what the outcome was. Either way, the book touched on a subject that I’d say most people would say you can only sway one way, there is no in between. Race is a touchy subject. Police brutality is a touchy subject. If you’re a lover of books like me, you’ll enjoy the read and it will remind you of what kind of society we live in.

Should you be a huge fan of Angie Thomas or just a lover of books The Hate U Give is actually part of a trilogy series. She just released On the Come Up. This is about a different character, Bri, who goes through police brutality amongst others things in the same neighborhood like in The Hate U Give. Thomas also will be releasing Concrete Rose (at a later date) which is based 17 years before The Hate U Give. Concrete Rose follows Maverick as a young man.

Happy reading friends!