'The Hate Race begins with a short summation of Clarke's parents' meeting and arrival in Australia as a young, black British couple, then quickly settles into Maxine's own experience. Maxine grew up in a middle-class family full of Play-Doh and tadpoles and Cabbage Patch dolls. The Hate Race draws our attention to how far we are from living in a postracial world, yet Clarke's critique feels compassionate-angry but not without hope, brutally honest but not without acknowledging the love of family and refuge of loyal friends.' (Publication abstract)