Rating: ★★★★☆
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
I have received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Dear Martin is the story of Justyce, who gets top marks at school and dreams of going to Yale. One night, his ex-girlfriend Melo gets very drunk and he attempts to take her home and not let her drive in that state, but before he knows it, two cops arrive and handcuff him, under allegation that he was trying to carjack her. Assaulted and mistreated, even Melo’s testimony for him barely is enough to get him out of jail. After that, Jus can’t ignore anymore the microagressions at school and the major problems in the system and the police when dealing with black people. So he starts writing letters to Martin Luther King, in the hope of becoming more like him. But it won’t be easy, and much more awaits him.
This book is a punch to the gut compacted in a little over 200 pages. Stone’s style is raw, unapologetic and a bit dry. It feels to me that the book could have done with more descriptions and more narration, as it’s very dialogue-heavy and I wish it’d been longer. Despite that, the read was very intense and had me holding my breath and getting so angry I had to make a few breaks from reading. At the same time, I couldn’t stop reading it – it’s such an intense read and it makes you mentally scream with anger and frustration.
I loved Justyce and SJ, although the chemistry between them felt slightly unconvincing – probably because of the shortness of the book. It opened my eyes to the Black Lives Matter movement’s causes and experiences I will never have but I want and need to be aware of. It feels to me that this book is siblings with The Hate U Give, both protagonists being black in a mostly white school trying to learn how to navigate without losing their identity.
Despite its shortness, this isn’t a light book. It kept me thinking, and it’s supposed to make you angry. I definitely felt the emotion Nic Stone put into the writing and it left me quite burning with anger, sadness and grief. But also hope. Dear Martin is a read that will move you and I highly recommend it!
Trigger warnings: racism, physical violence.
Wow this sounds really intense, but well done- I’m really keen to read it. Great review!
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Thank you! ❤
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I was getting angry just reading your description of the book, so I can only imagine the experience of reading it! It sounds very intense and worth a read. Great review!!
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Yes, it’s quite intense!! Thanks, Steph! ❤
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I’ve heard nothing but praise for Dear Martin & have read many reviews leading up to its release. This is def one high on my TBR & after reading,loving, and appreciating The Hate U Give, I cannot wait to start this read. Wonderful review!
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The Hate U Give was sooo good! I definitely liked it better than Dear Martin, but they have similar vibes and Dear Martin is definitely worth it!!
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Succinct, great review, Naty!! Wow, this book might be another must-read!
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Thank you, Noriko!! ❤ I remember you liked The Hate U Give, I think you'll like this one too!
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This is on my TBR for next year. I can´t wait to read it even though most people seems to be so angry and emotional about it, but that´s exactly what important books do to you, right?
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Yess! Exactly! It definitely provokes emotion, which is what I look for in a relevant book like this!
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I can’t wait to read this book, #ownvoices and diverse books hold a dear place in my heart and I’m excited to start this book 😍😍
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Yes!! I love that #ownvoices books have been getting more space now in the mainstream, they are such gems!!
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Totally agree! 😉
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I have this book and The Hate U Give on my TBR for Diverse December.
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Awesome! I hope you love them!
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I’m hoping for the best. I have heard nothing but rave reviews for both.
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