Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings: Madea's Uninhibited Commentaries on Love and Life (Hardcover)

by Tyler Perry (Author) "Everybody's got skeletons in the closet..." (more)
Key Phrases: Mount Everest

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
One could say that if the title of this book confuses you, then you probably shouldn't be reading it. But, as Madea helpfully suggests, "If you don't understand something I'm saying here and you're not black, you will have to ask somebody who is." Madea—Southern-speak for "mother dear"—is the fierce alter ego of Tyler Perry, who has paraded the marijuana-smoking, pistol-packing, trash-talking matron through a series of hit gospel plays and films. Although primarily a comic figure based on unapologetically crude behavior coming from a harmless-looking old lady, Madea is envisioned by Perry (who provides his own introduction before turning the reins over to his inner grandma) as a throwback to a time when strong matriarchs ruled the community. The result is a surprisingly fresh compilation of homespun advice—which Madea says the reader should take "at your own risk"—on love, sex, getting ahead in life and (strangely) the thousand-plus uses of Vaseline. Although veering dangerously close to serious at times, Perry litters Madea's anarchic, stage-ready monologues with hilariously bad quips along the lines of "the grass is always greener on the other side, but the water bill is higher." (Apr. 11)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
In the persona of Madea, his popular movie character, Perry offers commentary on life, from love and marriage to child rearing to politics. In the foreword, Perry admits to speaking more freely through Madea but cautions that he doesn't share all of her opinions, some of them characteristically caustic and risque. Madea is the prototypical busybody neighbor woman who minds the behavior of all children--and adults--speaking her mind and imparting wisdom and rules in concert with good parenting and common sense. Perry laments the absence of Madeas from communities where children are now left untended by adults. Madea spices her commentaries with recollections of growing up in a black community in the South and growing wiser through tribulations. Tucked into all the silliness that is part of the character is some sound advice on life. Madea fans, and those who appreciate brutal honesty and the occasional off-color remark, will enjoy this book. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover (April 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594489211
• ISBN-13: 978-1594489211
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,717 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Universal Read..., May 7, 2006

By	The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

Tyler Perry has done it again with his new book, DON'T MAKE A BLACK WOMAN TAKE OFF HER EARRINGS. He is talking in the voice of Madea Simmons. Madea opens the book with a bit about her early life and therefore gives the basis for the wisdom that she imparts later. She tells us about her gun-toting sometimes prostitute mother and her various uncles, all named Johnson: Uncle Little Johnson, Uncle Big Johnson, Uncle Wide Johnson, etc. We learn about her father who became passive and slightly "off" after being hit in the head by a falling log at his job in the lumberyard.

After we're introduced to her family, Madea gives some very sage advice about life, love and living. Her chapter on depression could help a great many people. She advises parents today to stop trying to be their child's friend and be his/her parent. Her advice: make them respect you. Madea gives information about flirting - when it's overboard and when it's right. Then there is her chapter to young girls about her "klick klick, lock it up," explaining to them that no man goes around saying he wants a good ho, which is what you'll be if you give it away to everybody. She is also right on about aging. Don't try to make yourself younger. Enjoy every minute that you have on this earth. For every wrinkle and bag that you have, you have learned something about life.

On almost every page, there is a laugh-out-loud moment. Buried in the humor is advice about every part of life and all of it is wise and useful. It is a well-written book that is hard to put down once you start that first page. Tyler Perry has written a hit that everybody in America can use, whether young or old, black or white, male or female. It is indeed a universal read and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny!, January 19, 2007

By	Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Tyler Perry made a name for himself in movies when he portrayed the blunt, black woman named Madea. (My favorite movie is "Diary of a Mad Black Woman".) Anyone over the age of thirty knows of at least one Madea in their past. Madea is the BIG woman who would knock you upside the head whenever you needed some common sense or an attitude adjustment. The older Madeas out there are the slick ones. They are the ones YOU think are crazy. Trust me, they are not crazy. They just know how to act in order to make you do (or think) what they want you to.

In this novel, "Madea" has put pen to paper in hope of teaching readers a thing or two or three. Madea gives you blunt, but necessary, advice that you may use or ignore.

Advice on things such as:
(1) How to kill kids before they kill you first.
(2) How to end a relationship.
(3) Advice for single mothers.
(4) How to outsmart and brainwash your kids.
(5) The miracle of Vaseline.
(6) "Acting White"
(7) Hip-Hop music
(8) Why black women should not wear blonde wigs and blue colored contacts.
(9) Entertaining guests
(10) Finances
(11) Trouble with the po-po
(12) "Men All Pause"
(13) How to tell someone they need to improve on their hygiene.
(14) Medical annoyances
(15) Home Décor

**** If you get annoyed or get your feelings hurt whenever someone tells you things point-blank, you better not pick up this funny book. This novel is written in a way that I could easily picture Madea sitting across from me in the living room and chatting. It is not "politically correct" at all. Do not expect excellent grammar either. As I said earlier, it is written as if Madea is speaking directly to you. It does not matter if you are black, white, yellow, green or any other skin color, everyone can (and will) relate with Madea. I never knew what to expect Madea to say from one moment to the next. And I am seriously considering taking out some stock on Vaseline! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tyler Perry At His Best!, April 13, 2006

By	Rasheed Clark "author of 'Stories I Wouldn't... (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Straight forward. Candid. Downright hilarious. That's only a few of the words that comes to mind when describing Tyler Perry's latest effort, "Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings." Anytime a black woman threatens to take her earrings off, run, you know something is about to happen. When Perry chose it as the title of his book to showcase the comments, stories and ramblings of a character like Medea, from his stage plays and movies, you know he is about to deliver the things that will make you laugh but also make you think about things we often take for granted or overlook in our busy lives.

I have been a fan of Tyler Perry's for a long time. When watching his plays and even his movies, I sit in anticipation for the next scene featuring Medea. Medea is the type of character that writers like me only dream of creating. That's because Medea offers Perry's fans a rare opportunity to revisit the old days. The days when your mother and grandmother were revered and when she talked, you listen. The good old days when women dispensed love with a word and dealt with everything else with a firm hand and the things they said might not have always been things you wanted to hear, but you needed to and in the end, you learned a valuable lesson. Lessons that you appreciated.

This is that kind of book. Tyler Perry pulls no punches and this book reads like a one woman show and is an easy read. Perry offers up via Medea his hilarious take on everything from life, love to raising children and guns, if you saw the plays or the movies, that's her favorite topic. But underneath of it all, Perry remains true to his faith and offers messages of forgiveness, faith and family. This will be at the top of my list as a Mother's Day gift for the Medeas (also known as the Mother Dears) in my life. Then again, this book might give them ideas.