Highlight of note: Compassion and realism combine as we get a second look into Garden Heights, an innercity neighborhood that is every bit as much of a character in this novel as any of the humans.
Will you read more by this author? This is the second novel I've read by Ms Thomas and the only way it will be the last is if she doesn't publish any more.
Angie Thomas has a tendency to make me feel like an impossibly middle class white woman. I did catch the title of her first novel, The Hate U Give, as a reference to Tupac's THUG LIFE, because I've appreciated that acronym since I first came across it (The Hate U Give Little Infants F*s Everyone), so it could be worse, but I was sitting in my arm chair drinking tea and listening to melodic rock while reading about innercity rap battles. It made me examine why I was reading this book and whether it was a form of tourism. I had to admit that part of my attraction to the book is seeing a culture I'm not part of, but isn't seeing people who aren't exactly like you part of the point of reading? Thomas is black, grew up in an innercity neighborhood not unlike Garden Heights, was herself a teen rapper, and has studied hip hop at a collegiate level, so this is clearly not something that exists just to entertain white people. She's giving a voice to the girl she used to be, and I think that's something people of all races should listen to.
It's impossible to set aside race when discussing this book. Much of its focus is on the black experience, both the good parts and the not great parts. We're shown a culture where bonds between people are tight and community is important, but we're also shown a world where teens are violently tossed to the ground without provocation and fathers get shot down between their house and their car. This is not the sort of book where you could just pick the story up and drop it in a white suburb while expecting it to still make sense. Parts of it would still work. The romantic arcs of both the main character and her close friends could take place in any sphere. But much of Bri's soul searching and struggle is wrapped up in being from the Gardens.
There's drama here: a father who was murdered steps from the family's front door, a mother who fell into drug addiction when she lacked proper resources to help her recover from being widowed with two young children, an aunt who belongs to a gang and makes a living selling drugs. There's a fledgling career in rap accompanied by a battle to determine what values a young artist wants to instill in her music. There's conflict with the mostly-white authorities at school. And since we're talking about teenagers, there's unexpected romance. There's a lot going on in this book, but it all blends together seamlessly.
Bri is easy to cheer for. She's vibrant, caring, and wicked clever. While not the best student, she's clearly highly intelligent and quick thinking, which is demonstrated well in her quick rap compositions. And she adores Tweety Bird while thinking Big Bird is a thing of nightmares. How could anyone not love her?
Bri's family are likewise people you come to care about. Her mother's strength in regaining her life after addiction would have any reader cheering for her. It would be easy to sum Aunt Pooh up as a drug dealer, but she's also a loyal supporter of her niece, a helper to her sister, and an adorably affectionate girlfriend to her girlfriend. (Yes, the gang affiliated aunt is a lesbian. You don't want to receive the look she'd give you if you raise an eyebrow about that.) I'll admit I found Bri's grandmother's judgmental nature to be a bit too much for me to handle, but Grandma redeems herself in the end by proving how much she truly cares about her family.
Overall, I found nothing to complain about in this book and a lot to praise. When The Hate U Give was first released, I was skeptical before reading it. Was it really as good as everyone was gushing or were people just responding to the topic? (That book was about a girl who witnessed a childhood friend shot by a cop at a traffic stop even though the boy had done nothing threatening.) Well, it was really that good. It's high on the list of books everyone in the US should read, combining a powerful message with expertly worded narrative. On the surface, On the Come Up might seem less important, being about a rapper rather than a victim of police violence, but it features both the outstanding delivery of the first book and the ability to open conversations we as a nation need to be having.
In short, this is a book people should read and I'm glad I'm one of the ones who has.
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Below you'll find the notes I took as I read. Clearly, they contain major spoilers.
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Notes
4% Girl's smart enough for a rap battle but not good in school, because not only does she not apply herself but she's a major troublemaker. Seems a bit cliche, but alright. Also... Popkenchurch. Going to three restaurants to make one meal does seem like something one wouldn't do lightly. Wonder what's up with Mom.
5% Gang member aunt has a girlfriend. That's nice.
6% When someone says "May the force beam you up, Scotty," I assume they're pulling my chain, not honestly confusing space operas. I do like that our young hero is into Star Wars, though.
6% "I fiend for that feeling." I haven't heard that usage of fiend before, but I like it.
8% Asshole pulls out her daddy's murder as a slam line? And smirks like he's proud of himself rather than being ashamed at the lowness of that blow There goes my hope he might be a worthy love interest.
10% Although maybe Asshole was just saying what his dad told him to and can have a redemptive arc about overcoming your upbringing.
11% I don't know much about rap, but those seemed like damned good lines.
24% Girl wrote a publishable song within half an hour of hearing her beat. I'm impressed. But then she does it improv style too, so I guess she's got practice going quickly.
27% Wow, that grandma... She makes the most negative people I know seem supportive.
28% Interesting vibe from Curtis. "I do care about you," may be underselling it.
32% Hmmm. Not sure if lunch with Malik is a date or not either. Guess we'll find out at lunch.
32% Well, he's bringing another chick with them, so probably not a date.
37% I've got a bad feeling about this manger guy.
42% I think I agree with Pooh that Bri's going to seem fake at best and piss off the wrong people at worst. She's thinking ? is better at making hits, but she hates the last song he made popular because it's shallow as hell.
47% I like Miles-without-a-z. He does seem like worthy love interest material now that he's apologized.
50% I think Miles might be the mystery guy, which would make him a love interest, but not Bri's
56% "If he can keep his act straight" is apparently a funny thing to say about Miles. I'm going to double down on the idea he's Mystery Boy.
62% Sonny's heard Mystery Boy's voice before but can't place where. Yep. It's definitely Miles.
65% Shit. Bri's going after a gang member? We were having a lovely YA personal drama scene and now that? Damn.
66% Okay, Pooh's going after the gang member. And she's a gang lord herself. Still...
74% She didn't commit murder, but Pooh's still arrested. And I feel physically sick about it.
75% That's one nice kiss...
81% I like Curtis. Glad they're going to "do romantic shit" together.
83% And now Supreme shows his sleeze.
87% Yep, Miles is Mystery Boy.
96% Yes! Bri went up there and told Supreme and the label guy to screw themselves, just like I wanted her to. :)
98% I don't know who the big name that wants to rap with Bri is, but I'm tears-in-my-eyes happy for her.
THE END
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