The Hate U Give vs Holding Up the Universe
This is a battle of contemporary issues explored in medium of the Young Audience Novel. Jennifer Nevin tackles bullying, depression, fat-shaming, and peer pressure in her novel Holding Up the Universe. Angie Thomas takes on the weighty issue of the shooting of an unarmed, young, black man by a police officer in The Hate U Give. Within this context Thomas explores race, political activism, wealth disparity, the media's depiction of African-Americans. Both novels deal head-on with sexual situations, drug use, as well as uses strong, salty language in a way that is not gratuitous, but with the clear intention to address what is in the minds of teens today. Both novels have a message of resilience, courage and identity.
Unfortunately, Holding Up the Universe may have taken on one too many issues to really resonate with reader. With so many moving parts, it was difficult to gain a strong sense of the characters’ voices. This creates a sense of separateness that does not allow the reader to connect with the story or the characters as strongly as the reader can with its rival. The Hate U Give explores many sides of one issue and leaves the reader with a strong sense of the dynamic, multi-faceted issues facing young, black youth. The dichotomous tension that faces the main character is explored in such a way that her voice rings clear. Not one clear voice, but the muddy confusion that comes from the many voices in her head. The many sides of this issue is exactly what leads it to be difficult understand even for the one who is at the center of it.
Therefore, our votes Shelley K, Stephen, Amanda, and I (Shelley P.) all go to The Hate U Give
No comments:
Post a Comment