This is it then folks: the conclusion of the inaugural Beauteaful Stagey: The Read Along series. I’ve had a great time reflecting on The Hate You Give, and hope you have enjoyed our insights, maybe they’ve encouraged you to pick the book up for yourselves, which would be amazing! Let’s crack on with my thoughts on this final section, shall we?

Chapter 19 is a pivotal moment for Starr as she goes to face the grand jury and fight for justice for Khalil. She speaks with them for three hours, and then must await the decision, the outcome and consequences of which is explored in later chapters. In this final section, we also see the threads of family and community come together in all the ways we see explored elsewhere throughout the book, and Starr makes a powerful resolution to continue to “never be quiet” at the end of the novel.

 

Was it important that the book didn’t have a typical ‘happily ever after?’

Absolutely, especially in terms of the fight for justice for Khalil – horrific events like his murder happen in real life and we’re then presented with the facts, but only often through the eyes of other people with no connection to the victim other than their own preconceptions and prejudices – I think Thomas was very brave and perceptive in the way she explored this as well as the way the legal system works in the US.

I did enjoy the fact it does have elements of hope though: Starr resolves to continue her fight against injustice, and Maverick is able to bring the King Lords & Garden Disciples together and put aside their differences. The family adjust to another kind of normaility, including our wonderful favourite Lisa getting a promotion! I felt like the ending as a whole was more powerful because of its sense of honesty and realism.

Do we think our reactions were affected as we are British readers and there are cultural differences between our own experiences and, for example, the school systems and legal systems we have read about in this book?

I will proudly continue to shout from the rooftops about how this book was a massive education for me in so many positive ways. Near enough immediately, it forced me to become more aware of my own position of “privilege” as a young white woman who has never directly experienced racism, and thus opened my eyes to exploring that, and the whole other realm of issues that the book explores. Interestingly, though I don’t have any direct experience of racism, being a young disabled woman means I face a whole different realm of issues and prejudices, so I found myself empathising very strongly when characters talk about how they are percieved, even if through a different lens and that really struck a chord.

I found it very clever too that though there are differences in the legal and school systems for us British readers, I could pick out the things that were similiar as well, and that made both more striking and reinforced the idea that though at times life can be devisive, we are more alike than we might seem; I got a lovely sense of comfort from that despite the books difficult subject matter.

This book gives a very strong message to use our voice. Do we use our own voices enough to contribute to society?

To draw a little more on my answer above, I think that I have to use my voice a hell of a lot; when you have a disability like the one I have, you’re faced day to day with how society is inaccessible to you in a whole multitude of ways, big and small. Not only that, in my experience you’re battling constantly with people’s perceptions of you and what you’re capable of. It’s exhausting and though it gets me down at times, I’ve learned over the years that no-one else is going to fight those battles for me, I need to do it, and that my voice is important. I’m grateful to Thomas for reinforcing that idea through Starr’s resolution!

After reading The Hate U Give, what part of the book resonated with you most? What insight will you carry with you?

Aside from the major insight above, I think this book has taught me a few lessons that I’ll take into my own writing, namely: it’s possible to tackle “heavy” topics in a way that is subtle and balanced with humour, and second that every character can be fleshed out in a way that makes them play a part in the story that’s important, however small. That leads nicely onto the part of the book that resonated with me most: Starr’s family and the relationships they have with each other: I will never forget Lisa being such a force of nature and how she breaks down everyone’s names when she’s mad, Mav’s pride, Sekani’s pithy observations or the way my heart warmed when Seven takes Starr out to basketball because he just wanted her to have “something normal” amid a situation that’s anything but!

I’ll be posting a more comprehensive review of The Hate U Give sometime in the coming days, so keep those eyes peeled! And if you’ve read my thoughts, go make sure you head over to read Kara’s as well and show her some love!

Kara and I may have also decided on our next book for the #BeauteafulStageyReadAlong as well… watch this space 😉