Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Set in
Atlanta, Dear Martin, is the story of
Justyce McAllister, a seventeen-year old Black boy from Atlanta, Georgia. The
story starts off with an encounter between Justyce and a police officer where he
ends up in handcuffs on the ground after having committed no crime. His world
is forever shaken. All of the microaggressions he may have brushed off before,
are now glaringly obvious. All of the people that surround him at the prep school
he attends on scholarship are showing their true colors. He looks to Martin
Luther King Jr. for strength. Writing in his journal letters to Martin, in an
attempt to make sense of it all.
I’m an
emotional wreck after reading this novel. Justyce could have been so many
different young men I knew growing up. Seeing his life on the page, seeing all
of his trials and tribulations and the injustice he faced is gut wrenching.
There were moments in this book where my jaw dropped and I was so disgusted. Then
I looked around and realized how true and just believable all of this was. I’m
disheartened and yet at the same time overjoyed because this book exists and it
will hopefully fall into the hands of the people who need to read it. The
people that need to see themselves on the page and want to see change.
Stone
did a beautiful job with this novel. Her world building and character
development were extremely well done. This plot is so powerful and more stories
like this need to be told. Stories where the dialogue is honest and painful.
Stories where the characters depict real life situations and honest pain!
Justyce’s character was so well written, a multidimensional character full of
depth, passion and emotion. The entire entourage of characters were well fleshed
out and had such an impact.
I don’t
know when I’ll stop thinking about this book honestly. I started reading and
couldn’t stop, finishing in one sitting. I was zoned in and invested in
Justyce’s life, his outcome, his success. This book was an emotional roller coaster
and one that I can’t help but recommend. It was so damn good. I give this 5 out
of 5 stars. Read this book.
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