Hate is Such a Strong Word...

by Sarah Ayoub

[Angie]

Hate is Such a Strong Word is really great! I love reading about different cultures, so I was completely fascinated by Sophie's story. She's Lebanese, lives in Australia, goes to an all Lebanese Catholic school, and her father is very strict and traditional. Sophie feels invisible at school and is determined to change that in her final year, but there's also some tension in her community and she has to find her place and her voice in all of that. Of course, it's a boy who doesn't fit in that helps her with all of these things (but not in a romantic way!).

I read Hate is Such a Strong Word in one sitting. Yes, I did. I was hooked! It's not a particularly exciting novel, but I couldn't put it down. I loved getting into Sophie's head! She's torn about her Lebanese heritage. She loves it, but she also feels like she's Australian since that's where she was born. The Lebanese community is very tight and closed off, and yet they complain about racism and not being accepted. Well, how do they expect to change that when they only interact with each other!? The new boy at Sophie's school is only half-Lebanese which causes quite the uproar, but Sophie befriends him and sees that change is possible! Being Lebanese-Australian isn't an either/or situation. She can be both! She should be both!

Even though most of the focus on is heritage and racism, Hate is Such a Strong Word also deals with typical teenage problems. Sophie's best friend is suddenly in with the popular girls, but Sophie doesn't fit in with them and she really doesn't like them (not because they're popular, because they're mean!). There's one scene where Dora confronts Sophie about them going in different directions, and Sophie calling her out on her crap, and it was very reminiscent of something I went through with a friend in high school who ditched me to go be popular! I totally get it, Sophie!

I really liked Hate is Such a Strong Word. It frustrated me at times, because Sophie's father is just so caught up in the ways of the old country and can't see that this isn't the olden days and it's not Lebanon! He needs to adapt! His daughter is struggling because he can't let go! And community is great, but not when you completely separate yourselves from others then wonder why you're not accepted! It's all just very real and relevant. I definitely recommend it.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.