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The Hate U Give Author Angie Thomas Talks Starr, Stars, and More with Becky Albertalli
Angie Thomas’s Black Lives Matter–inspired debut novel, The Hate U Give, was tipped as a must-read before it even had a publisher: the manuscript drove a 13-house auction, is hitting shelves in countries around the world, and will be coming soon to a theater near you. Now that the book is finally here, on a wave of eight starred reviews, readers are finding that it’s just as good as the hype implies. The story of Starr Carter, sole witness to her childhood friend’s killing by a white cop during a traffic stop, is a breathless, topical, and heartbreaking take on an issue that trends with horrifying frequency. But it’s also a warm, hilarious look at the life of a family and a neighborhood, rendered with vivid, loving specificity. Thomas’s eye for telling detail is true, her dialogue is perfect, and her characters are so concisely drawn you can see every one of them with perfect clarity.
Recently she spoke with fellow author Becky Albertalli (Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, The Upside of Unrequited) about the buzz, the readers, and what’s next.
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BA: Angie, I can’t believe The Hate U Give is finally out in the world. Already you’ve gotten massive critical acclaim, an unprecedented full sweep of eight starred reviews, rights sold around the world, and a film in development. There are so many things I want to ask you about your experience, but I’ll start with this: for you, what was the moment when you realized this book was on its way to becoming something huge?
AT: When you gave it that amazing blurb . Okay, that’s not the only moment but it’s up there for sure! I think the moment it really hit me was kind of early in the process—when 13 different publishers wanted it. Up until then, it seemed like the only people who liked it were my agent, my mom, and my friends.
BA: I was lucky (and sneaky) enough to be able to attend your launch party in Jackson, Mississippi. While I was there, I couldn’t help but notice how many teens were present. You had dozens of kids hanging on your every word, asking questions, and getting pictures with you afterward. When you think about your teen audience in particular, what are your hopes for The Hate U Give? What would it have meant to you as a teen to see Starr’s story in a book?
AT: Yes, you were sneaky! I really do hope The Hate U Give provides mirrors for readers who don’t often get them in books. I’ve had so many young black girls tell me just how thrilled they are to see someone who looks like them on the cover. I hope that they see themselves in the pages as well. As a teen, seeing Starr’s story and stories like it would’ve helped me find my own voice sooner, and it would’ve reinforced in me that my voice mattered—that I mattered; that someone saw me and not just a stereotypical version of me. Representation makes a difference.
BA: So much of Starr’s story comes back to the importance of using your voice to effect change. Nic Stone and I listened to your (exquisitely perfect) audiobook the whole way to and from your launch party, and we were struck by Starr’s emerging role as a leader and activist. It reminds me a bit of how I think people in the community see you. You went from being a total publishing unknown to a vocal public advocate for black teens, children, and adults. What has that transition been like for you?
AT: For the record, Nic texted me her reactions as y’all were listening to the audio book, and they were hilarious. The transition from unknown to known-in-publishing has been empowering but also challenging. It’s an honor to know that people actually want to know what I think about certain issues, but I also have to be careful about what I say or rather how I say it. The Internet is forever, y’all. But it’s an honor to have a voice and have a voice that people listen to.
BA: Can you speak a little bit about the reaction you and your book have received so far from people within publishing? What about people in your everyday life?
AT: It’s amazing how much love this book has received from the publishing community. The number of starred reviews is mind-blowing, but also it’s incredible that so many people have rallied behind this book. I’ve even had editors at other publishing houses promote it on social media.
My everyday life, though? That’s a bit different, but I’m happy with that. Of course, my mom is my biggest and loudest cheerleader, and my family and friends are happy for me, but I’m still just Angie, not Angie-the-author-with-this-hyped-up-book. I appreciate that.
BA: I know you’re currently mired in the hellish process of drafting your second book. Has it been noticeably different than your process with The Hate U Give? How have you balanced splitting your attention between THUG and your new book baby?
AT: Yes! It’s definitely hard. But I’ve had to tell myself book 2 is its own thing—I cannot compare it to The Hate U Give. I’m not a parent, but I look at my books as my babies in a way, and it wouldn’t be fair to tell my second book, “Well, look at what your older sister did. Why can’t you do that?” I don’t know if it makes sense, but it’s the approach that has helped me. So I’m trying my best not to put the pressure on book two or on myself.
BA: I’ll end with the question everyone’s waiting for: why do you have such awful taste in Oreos? Why Goldens? How dare you? Why do I love you anyway?
AT: GOLDENS ARE SUPERIOR, OKAY? They don’t mess up your teeth like classics. You love me and I love you because platonic soulmates > cookies.