[.ca] God Don't Like Ugly (ISBN 0758220324)

Read Toni Morrison or Maya Angelo instead:
I read this because the author was likened to Maya Angelo and Toni Morrison. They each wrote a book dealing with a young African American girl being raped ("I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and "The Bluest Eye", respectively). It is not an insult when I say that Mary Monroe is no Toni Morrison--no one else is. Only one artist is Leonardo da Vinci. "The Bluest Eye" was Toni Morrison's first book, and although she has implied that it is her weakest, it is a much more powerful book than "God Don't Like Ugly." If you like this book, then you should read "The Bluest Eye." Maya Angelo's book "I know Why the Cged Bird Sings" is also a beautifully written classic.

Missed opportunity!...and that was ugly.:
I personally love reading books that take place in the South in the early to mid 1900's of the African American experience. There's just something about it that I find so humbling. This book may not be for everyone as it really touches on the subject of child sexual abuse. The description was quite ronchi I didn't expect all that. The book was good but also frustrating. I'm disappointed that the author did not take the opportunity with this book to "out" the abuser. Instead she chose to keep the crime a secret and the shame remained on the victim. A huge aspect of this book was also on friendship. The development of the friendship was really nice, makes you remember that best friend you might have had back the school days. Good times:) the book ended with (once again!) some over the top drama. (...) I'm hoping that in the sequel, the secret of the crime will finally be revealed.

Good read:
Once you get over some of the "shocking" parts the book is a good read. Deals with being strong, self esteem, goals, secrets, find love within self, and growing up. We get to see Annette as a young person, and flower to adulthood. You will cry with her, scream at her, and want to hug her. The book was really good. Plan to read the second book ASAP.

Don't Waste Your Time Reading:
I found the book to be utterly boring, and completely unbelievable. I don't recommend this book for readers that enjoy reading. The title leads you to believe the book will be good. The characters are believable to an extent, but Rhoda and her family was completely unrealistic. A black man good friends with a wealthy Italian in the 1960's? Yeah right. I don't care if they were middle class blacks or not. And Annette as far as a friend to Rhoda was absolutely ridiculous. They had nothing in common. The entire storyline was corny.

"Ought to be required reading in schools":
I started reading GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY on a Monday night, read past midnight. The next night, after everyone had gone to sleep, I'd run to the book to see if Annette was in danger. She had become a dear friend by Chapter 1; had to see her through. By Thursday I couldn't wait for evening...so I stayed in my room during the day, finished the book, and sighed a big one for sweet Annette. What a story teller Ms. Monroe is! She deserves the Pulitzer Prize. The powerful voice/messages of GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY reminded me of TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD.