An inspiring read.

This book got a lot of hype, so maybe this review is a little unfair because I was expecting a lot. The story is young adult fantasy, maybe even teen fantasy. Simple storyline and plot. I was expecting more.

A modern classic for sure. It took a bit for me to get used to reading the dialogue, but once I did, the story flew by. I loved how nuanced Zora Neale Hurston wrote Janie - both strong and vulnerable, independent and clinging, free-thinking and complacent.

A page-turner for sure, since I read this in one day. I enjoyed the book very much, which has very timely subject matter. It gets 4 stars, rather than 5, because it gets a bit too obvious at the end, almost like the author really wanted to spell out the message, rather than let it settle in.

Overall, a great read.

I read this book based on the hype, and it didn’t disappoint. Angie Thomas is a gifted writer, capable of portraying her characters as nuanced, three-dimensional, real people. It’s a relatively quick read, with lots of dialogue (quite funny in parts, which I enjoyed), but the overarching themes are difficult ones, including identity, racism, equality, and what it means to stand up for your beliefs. I’m still processing and will continue to think about this book. It’s an important read, and everyone should read this book.

4.5 stars.