Customer Reviews

God Don't Like Ugly

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God Don't Like Ugly is a statement that we have all used at one time or another. And while reading this wonderful book by Mary Monroe I caught myself saying it over and over again while waiting to see when the Ugly is going to get its just do. This is the story about a very insecure girl name Annette, who was molested by Mr. Boatwright, the person her mother brought into their home to help out with her and other household activities. Annette had no one to turn to not even her mother, that is until she became friends with Rhonda, the pretty girl across the street. She eventually confide in Rhonda about the molestation and things evolved from there. You'll have to read God Don't Like Ugly to find out what.

Everyone that wonders what goes through the minds of people who are molested because the first thing that pops into your head when you hear about it is "What were they thinking, why didn't they tell anyone?" Well you'll find out if you read this book. Ms. Monroe takes you through the mind of Annette and some of the other characters as well. I look forward to seeing what else happens with these characters in the sequel.

Overall, I absolutely loved the novel God Don't Like Ugly by Mary Monroe! I think this book was funny because the characters loved to gossip and talk about people. This book was also poignant and enjoyable because it left an indelible mark on me that changed my view of the past. Annette Goode, the main character and narrator is a shy, overweight girl who is troubled because she is sexually abused daily by Mr. Boatwright, a boarder from her church who her mother has taken in. Trying to find friends, Annette finally gives up all hope until one summer, when she turns thirteen. She meets Rhoda Nelson, a rich, powerful, beautiful, slim, green-eyed, light skinned, black girl. Soon after they become the best of friends and Annette reveals her shocking secret about Mr. Boatwright. As Rhoda tries to help Annette survive her teen-age years, Annette begins to find out a revelation of things she never knew about her best friend. People should definitely find this book interesting. I would definitely recommend this book for teens, young adults, adults, and seniors, especially those who like books by Mary Monroe or fictional books about the 1950's or 1960's. This book made me laugh, cry, and actually feel what the characters were feeling. The way Mary Monroe describes her characters is fascinating and completely fantastic. The settings which took place in Miami, Florida , Richland, Ohio , and Erie, Pennsylvania during the early 1950's through the late 1960's were absolutely perfect for the plot and the different chapters. Also, the story itself could be related to any time or era.

Mary Monroe is a master storyteller. God Don't Like Ugly has so many sub-plots and characters that it is a thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing story. The basic plot revolves around a young girl, Annette who is being sexually abused by the live-in border Mr. Boatwright. Sexual abuse is a horrific crime no matter how you look at it but Mary Monroe captures the dichotomy of the relationship between Annette and Mr. Boatwright in a manner which few could. It would have been easy to paint Boatwright as an evil, old peg leg with no redeeming value but in reality life is not that black and white. Instead she shows how he cooks for the family, takes Annette to the market with him, to the movies and goes with the family to church and at times is kind to her, and then at night destroys it all by making Annette his victim.

But that is only part of the story. We have Rhoda Nelson, the beautiful, intelligent daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Nelson, the biracial Undertaker and his beautiful but fragile wife. Mr. Nelson's mother who is white lives with the family as does his half brother, Uncle Johnny. The Nelson's while they appear the very picture of a upwardly mobile black family with their big beautiful house, extravagant furnishings and fine cars have more than a few problems of their own.

You'll become enraptured in Annette and Rhoda's lives because they certainly have stories to tell, but save a little of yourself because there are a few others in this small circle of residents in the more affluent part of town who have stories they would like to tell you. Now Scary Mary, the local Madam has a few things she would like to share with you about herself and her 2 daughters and maybe even a little about the girls who "work" for her. Then Caleb and his son Pee Wee want to introduce themselves and share with you all the gossip you can handle. Annette's beautiful and hard working mother has a lot to tell you about life and how to go on no matter what. A few others will want to stop by . Uncle Carmine, Mr. Nelson's best friend and benefactor; Judge Lawson, Annette's mothers employer and "protector" who believes in looking out for his "girl",Uncle Johnny will stop by, if he's not in jail and Aunt Lola will stop by and drop a little knowledge.

As we follow Annette and Rhonda lives from childhood through adulthood others will introduce themselves, so be gracious and invite them in. You're guaranteed a riveting and entertaining time.

I have to say that this book is one of the best written books I have read for 2000. I wasn't sure in the beginning, but when Annette and her mother moved to Richland, Ohio, stuff started happenin'! It really annoyed me that Annetee wouldn't tell anyone that Mr. Boatwright was molesting her and threatening her. Annette never really developed a good self esteem or confidence in herself, so I could see why that happened. Her Mother wasn't much of a figure for Annette to mold after, so she didn't have much opportunity to become a "woman". I felt sorry for her throughout most of her life, and hope the best for her.

Now, Ms. Rhoda is another story in herself! I couldn't believe some of the stuff she got away with. I can't say it without giving away the story, but Rhoda was not your typical girl next door. She was sweet and attractive, but she was a devil in a blue dress!

Ms. Monroe really brought all her characters together to make a TERRIFIC story. Annette, Rhoda, Muh Dear, Scary Mary, Pee Wee, Mr. Boatwright, Judge Lawson, Levi, Florence and all the other characters blend together create a storyline that definitely shows God Don't Like Ugly. You reap what you sow. I don't think Annette will ever do anything without thinking of the consequences!

"God Don't Like Ugly" caught my eye in the bookstore and after reading the first few pages I was hooked! The characters are so real and interesting! I really liked how Mary Monroe humanized the character of Mr. Boatwright. At first, I hated him for the HORRIBLE despicable abuse he inflicted on poor Annette, but Ms Monroe interestingly made Annette remember some of the good things about Mr. Boatwright. Rhoda's character is truly complex also. Also, for all the serious issues in the book, it is SO funny, I laughed out loud at many points. I also really liked when Annette goes to Erie to carve out a life for herself. I really think that this is a book that should be read in colleges, it is brilliant, entertaining, and I know I will be re-reading it again and again. Thanks Mary Monroe!

God Don't Like Ugly is a compelling and engrossing novel from first-time novelist Mary Monroe. Monroe takes us into the world of an overweight, shy, fatherless, insecure and lonely girl by the name of Annette Goode who's being sexually abused by the elderly boarder(Mr. Boatwright aka Buttwright) who lives with Annette and her single mom. Sexual abuse is a harsh subject to read about and an even harder pill to swallow. When it goes on for years and years one starts to question why and where was the mother when all of this was going on. Maybe the mother assumed that because Mr. Boatwright was an elderly man, with a peg leg and a church-going man that Annette would be safe in his care. Afterall he did have some good qualities...uum they were too insignificant to mention and didn't make up for the fact that he was a perp. Fortunately, Annette found a friend, Rhoda who she could share her secrets and dreams with. Rhoda was everything that Annette wasn't. She was attractive, slim, outgoing, daring and came from a middle-class family. There was no Buttwright around to secretly molest her. Rhoda was also revengeful and very overprotective of Annette. Rhoda had the courage to stand up to Buttwright and do the things that Annette was afraid to do.

This book is not only about surviving molestation, but it is about life and growing up in the 1960's and 1970's. Thank goodness there were some laugh out loud moments which made up for the sadness of the sexual abuse which went on for over a decade. One of Monroe's greatest strengths is her character development. The characters were so well developed they practically jumped off the pages! The cast of colorful characters included folks with names such as Scary Mary, Pee Wee, Flo, and Viola just to name a few. Additionally, GDLU was so vivid and graphic that the imagery appeared lifelike. Along the way Monroe gives us surprising and shocking plot twist and turns to keep us rapidly turning the pages. If I could change anything about the book it would probably be the ending...the story seemed to drag with the last 50 pages; I'm not sure they were necessary. That aside, Mary Monroe's writing style is fresh and captivating and I look forward to future reads from this talented author.

How do I begin to summarize this book. At first I thought the book was sort of on the hilarious side because of all the characters and the characteristics they portrayed. They supposing sat around confessing to be so called Christians and all they did was gossip about the other's life. The main character is a very shy, timid little girl is overweight and low self-esteem who is confused and feeling betrayed because of the sexual abused she sufferes daily at the hand of a so called trusted family friend-uncle Mr. Boatwright. Mr. Boatwright is a rooming boarder who appeared out of nowhere at the church and the mother was asked to take him in. Her mother instructs her to do "whatever" Mr. Boatwright tells her. I do think she meant literally. Annette tried her darnedest to make friends, and almost gave up until the summer her mother move them during her 13th birthday. That's where she met Rhonda Nelson, she's rich, powerful, aggressive, beautiful, slim, long beautiful hair, green-eyed and light complexion. Annette now feels like she can trust Rhonda with her secret of the abuse and sexual immorality. Rhonda is flabbergasted. She can't believe what she's hearing, unaware of the lack of courage that Annette posses. Rhonda is now the soul mate that helps her survive her teen-age years. Annette knows finding out things about her best friend and her life she never knew before. This book is so deep and things like this are happening right today and right under our very noses. Annette's mothers on the other hand was selfish, manipulative and for the lack of a better word, blind. She was so wrapped up into her business she didn't notice anything wrong with her child, but she have really been that blind or just plain stupid. Beside she would get married to Mr. Boatwright as soon as Annette finish school?

Scary Mary, PeeWee, the Blind Girl, Viola, all had more courage and grace than her own mother did.

You will find this book to be so intriguing until you won't be able to put it down. I recommend this book for anyone. This book will make you laugh with amazement, cry with disgust, hate, see red and sympathize with Annette through your entire reading. I was completely fascinated by the display of showmanship amongst the characters. Not one time did I think Mr. Boatwright got what he deserved.

A beautiful, warm, emotionally touching sorry. This is by far one of the best books I've read. When your in a situation such as the one Annette was one could only imagine how hard it would be to keep such a miserable secret to herself. Keeping in mind the time frame then compared to now, helps us appreciate that we should thank God that times have progressed to the point we don't have to keep ugly secrets as sexual abuse a secret. Each character was interesting in their own way. The power of love truly transends from the heart of a little girl who sacrificed herself for the love of her mother. I love a fast paced book, the action was non-stop. I am so looking forward to your next book. This was the first book of yours I've read and just judging by this wonderful accomplishment of yours it certainly will not be the last. You are going on my list of authors.

Meet Annette, she is the example of a young girl in America being victimized by a family member or a trusted friend. Sometimes they tell, sometimes they don't. They endure years of abuse and we wonder why they are so messed up. Annette has an encounter with Mr Boatwright, a trusted boarder in her home. She is a good girl, so she obeys her mother when she tells her to do what Mr Boatwright tells her. Unfortunately, literally. As she gets older and her friendship with the beautiful Rhoda blossoms, things change. She and Rhoda share a secret that holds them together then, destroy a friendship.There are other interesting characters in this book, that all play a part in ANnette's life, from Scary Mary to PeeWee to Viola. THis is a must read, I am sure you will enjoy.

I can not imagine anyone reading this book and not growing angry because of the abuse that the young lady must endure at the hands of a one-legged man that her mother trusts enough to take into their home. While at first, I was hoping she would shout out her problems to the world to put an end to the anguish, I grew to appreciate the author letting it drag out for years. Why? Because it really happens like that. I was watching a talk show the other day and the guest was a woman that was abused by her stepfather from the ages of 3 to 27. The characters in this novel are flushed out beautifully and you will be riveted to the pages. Mary Monroe did a wonderful job with this novel and I can not wait to read whatever she publishes next.