I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Haters by Jesse Andrews Narrator: Michael Crouch
Length: 8 Hours 37 Minutes
Also by this author: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (Movie Tie-in Edition)
Published by Abrams on April 5th 2016
Genres: Young Adult, Performing Arts, Music, Humorous Stories, Social Themes, Friendship, Social Issues
Pages: 336
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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From Jesse Andrews, author of the New York Times bestselling Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and screenwriter of the Sundance award–winning motion picture of the same name, comes a groundbreaking young adult novel about music, love, friendship, and freedom as three young musicians follow a quest to escape the law long enough to play the amazing show they hope (but also doubt) they have in them. Inspired by the years he spent playing bass in a band himself, The Haters is Jesse Andrews’s road trip adventure about a trio of jazz-camp escapees who, against every realistic expectation, become a band. For Wes and his best friend, Corey, jazz camp turns out to be lame. It’s pretty much all dudes talking in Jazz Voice. But then they jam with Ash, a charismatic girl with an unusual sound, and the three just click. It’s three and a half hours of pure musical magic, and Ash makes a decision: They need to hit the road. Because the road, not summer camp, is where bands get good. Before Wes and Corey know it, they’re in Ash’s SUV heading south, and The Haters Summer of Hate Tour has begun. In his second novel, Andrews again brings his brilliant and distinctive voice to YA, in the perfect book for music lovers, fans of The Commitments and High Fidelity, or anyone who has ever loved—and hated—a song or a band. This witty, funny coming-of-age novel is contemporary fiction at its best.
Why Did I Listen To The Haters by Jesse Andrews?
The Haters by Jesse Andrews is an audiobook that immediately appealed to me because A) I loved Andrews’s debut, Me And Earl And The The Dying Girl B) the narrator is one I quite enjoy and C) I LOVE BOOKS ABOUT BANDS. When a copy of The Haters showed up for review on Volumes, the Listening Library app, I knew I had to immediately download it and begin listening to it. Also, I wanted to listen to it in preparation for a contest that I’m hosting on Monday April 4th (be sure to come back because you won’t want to miss it!).
What’s The Story Here?
The Haters is about this kid named Wes who goes to jazz camp with his best friend Corey. Both are super excited about camp, but it turns out to actually kind of suck. You see, pretty much all the kids who go talk in this obnoxious Jazz Voice and are quite full of themselves. Wes and Corey are not about that life. Also, they are not even close to being the best kids in camp and are put in a group that sucks. However, they gel with this one girl in their group, Ash, and decide to skip camp and hit the road as a band which is yet to be named. They head South as a band and thus begins the summer of hate tour and all kinds of adventures and such.
How Did I Like The Characterization and Writing in The Haters?
So, if you go into The Haters expecting it to be as hilarious as Me And Earl And The Dying Girl, you might be disappointed. If you go in expecting well written DGAF about anything characters, you’ll love The Haters. I thought Wes came off well as the dynamic main character who hates confrontation until he’s pushed too far. I loved how much of a dick Corey was. I loved how messed up Ash was with her not so wonderful family relationships. I thought the plotting was on point and made the pacing of this audiobook perfect. I never felt like I was stuck during a boring part that just would not end while listening to the audiobook. Also, back to the characterization, Wes is awesome and awkward and I think you’ll love his character when you read this book.
How’s The Narration?
The Haters is narrated by Michael Crouch. If you listened to Simon Versus The Homo Sapiens Agenda, you’ll recognize Crouch because he narrated that book too. Crouch does the put upon character who is the voice of reason SO SO well. I thought that he was the perfect choice to narrate The Haters. His voice is perfect for young adult books. His female voices aren’t creepy or weird. Crouch has the kind of voice that I don’t tune out or want to just be done narrating. I think if anything, you should listen to The Haters as opposed to read a physical copy because it’s narrated so well. Also, the audiobook production values were on fleek.
Sum It Up With A GIF:
This GIF makes me think of Wes and Corey and Ash leaving camp behind hahaha.
Other reviews of The Haters by Jesse Andrews:
It’s Either Sadness Or Euphoria – “wacky, funny as hell”
Candace’s Book Blog – “I do know this book is brilliant. I just happened to not like some of it.”
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I liked Michael Crouch’s narration in SIMON and also liked Me & Earl so I’ll add this one to my audio wish list! I haven’t heard too much about this one before so thanks for spreading the word.