The Haters novel: teen band road trip and uncertain gig

The Haters follows three teens—Wes, Corey and the outspoken Ash—who abandon a dull jazz camp to chase a promised gig on a chaotic road trip, a premise outlined by the publisher and author’s own description [1]. The novel, released in early 2017, blends humor, music, and coming‑of‑age tension, but reader reactions range from enthusiastic to sharply critical [3].

Key takeaways

• The book was published by Allen & Unwin on 1 January 2017 and targets readers aged 12‑17 [1].
• It tells the story of three friends escaping band camp to form “The Haters” and embark on a “Summer of Hate Tour” [1][3].
• Author Jesse Andrews, known for the bestseller Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, wrote the novel as his second YA work, drawing on his own experience playing bass [2][3].
• Critical reception is mixed: some praise Andrews’ vivid atmosphere, while others find the humor off‑putting and the characters unrelatable [3].
• The novel has been promoted through numerous book‑tour events across the United States in 2022‑2023, indicating ongoing author engagement [2].

Plot and publication details

The story opens with Wes and Corey disillusioned by a “lame” jazz camp, until they meet Ash, a bold girl whose musical style jolts them out of their routine. Together they decide that the road, not the camp, is where true musicians are forged, and they set off in Ash’s SUV for a self‑styled “Summer of Hate Tour” [1][3]. Their journey is marked by sneaking into seedy bars, evading parents and police, and enduring a makeshift tour bus where romance, friendship, and hygiene take a back seat. The narrative culminates in a gig that may or may not live up to their hopes, reflecting the novel’s central tension between ambition and doubt.

The book was released as a Kindle edition in early 2017, with a reading age of 12‑17 and an ISBN of 978‑1‑3978‑1925‑5 545 [1]. Andrews leverages his background as a former bassist to infuse authentic musical details, describing the trio’s “pure, unpoisonable” sound quest and the chaotic experiences that accompany their road trip, from drug‑related mishaps to confrontations with strangers [3].

Reception and author outreach

While some reviewers commend Andrews’ ability to quickly involve readers and capture teenage yearning for belonging, others criticize the novel’s humor and character dynamics. One reviewer on Goodreads noted that the jokes often fell flat and the protagonists sometimes felt “annoying” rather than relatable, suggesting the book may miss its intended audience [3]. Conversely, the publisher’s description highlights the novel as “groundbreaking” for music‑loving YA readers, positioning it alongside titles like The Commitments and High Fidelity [2].

Andrews has supported the book with an extensive tour schedule, appearing at venues such as TeenBookCon in Houston, Powell’s in Oregon, and the LA Times Festival of Books in Los Angeles, among others, from April to May 2022. These events underscore the novel’s continued promotional efforts despite mixed critical feedback [2].