Sarah O'Connor

Before this, I’d never listened to an audiobook before. I’m very old school with my reading and don’t hate on others who use e-readers or audiobooks to read, literature has become much more accessible and available to people and I’m all for it. But since all the libraries have been temporarily closed down and part of my job while working from home gave the option of e-reading/listening to an audiobook and reviewing said book, I thought this was a good time as any to dive into the world of electronic reading.

I chose The Hate U Give because I’ve wanted to read it for some time and the last time I took it out (when it was published) I didn’t get a chance to finish or even really start it before having to return it to the hundreds of others waiting to read it. The book follows sixteen-year-old Starr Carter who moves between two worlds: that of the privileged, white, suburban neighbourhood where she goes to school and the poor neighbourhood of Garden Heights that she calls home. One night at a party in Garden Heights Starr reconnects with her old friend Khalil only to see him shot by a police officer when he was unarmed. Suddenly protests start in Khalil’s name and the news takes to the case, racially profiling Khalil as a drug dealer and gang leader and Starr, as the witness, starts receiving threats from the police and local drug lords. Starr must decide whether or not to use her voice and how her actions will affect those around her.

This book is worth all the hype. It’s so powerfully written and Turpin does an amazing job narrating such a powerful story, if anything her excellent voice acting added so much more emotional depth from Starr’s panic, fear, and indecision. And as a whole Thomas’ book is a necessary and relevant read on police brutality. As a white woman and person of privilege, always aware of the injustice that occurs around me but Thomas’ debut reminds readers that this prejudice has happened for a long time, is still happening and we need to stop it. Thomas’ novel is a shout, a protest, a call to action for this violence and prejudice to stop and only we can do that with our voice, and I’m so glad Thomas did.

I can’t wait to read more of Thomas’ work, I just discovered she has a new book coming out next year which is a prequel to The Hate U Give and follows Starr’s father. Thomas’ book is all about the importance of diverse reads and I can’t wait to read, and listen, to more of them.

Publication: February 28th 2017
Publisher: HarperAudio
Pages: Audiobook Unabridged (11.40)
Source: Libby App
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, YA,
My Rating: ⛤⛤⛤⛤⛤
Summary:

“Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.”