Customer Reviews

Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings

5 star:		(82)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

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

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.

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.

It took me about 2 hours to read the book cover to cover. I laughed out loud, reflected about my own Madea, and most importantly did some soul searching. This is a great book and will make a great gift for Easter or Mother's Day. If you are a Tyler Perry fan YOU must own this piece of literature ... your collection is incomplete without it.

A hilarious read! Perry's style is eminently enjoyable and a superb weekend read. Made me miss the south and my own Madea. -Gemma

Tyler Perry has been touched by something divine!

Everyone who comes into his circle of influence will tell you that this is a transformed person. He is an awesome writer and a talented director, actor, and producer.

What he has to say about love, marriage, kids, religion and a host of other topics is very moving. It is this kind of inspirational writing that can change a life!

This is not the case of Madea cashing in on her box office appeal by hiring a ghost writer to tell her story or trying to write a book about something she has no knowledge or experience on (compare that concept to rappers and personalities playing at being actors and fashion designers). Enough said on that. Everyone knows that Madea speaks her mind,and this is what the book is all about. Madea being Madea.

Get the book. You will understand people a whole lot better. You will understand you a lot better. Forget Dr Phil.

I can't speak for you, but I laughed out loud time and time again while I was driving (I had my son reading bits and pieces of it to me while I was driving). Madea hipped me on why some Black women feel the need to wear blond hair and blue contact lenses (See Page 109). I am Black and was wondering about that one myself. Thanks Madea for clearing that one up! Madea has tips on how to flirt and get a man on your own terms. (Page 28) Madea tells you what acting white is and how there is nothing wrong with it. (See Page 91) And I also say don't forget who your folks are and where you come from. Madea is funny. She makes you laugh and she makes you think. We all need to do a lot more of both. Thanks for reading my review.

What a wonderful book. I laughed throughout at Madea's as-usual candor, insight into daily living and tall tales of her history. Beautifully written by Perry, this book will appeal to teens, middle aged folks as well as the more mature. Excellent.

I enjoyed this book as I enjoy anything Tyler Perry does!! I have watched all of his movies and almost all of his plays. I throughly enjoy them. He is such a funny man!! What I liked about this book:Madea's secrets of romance(Hold the frisbee)(I wished more girls would understand this), Kids !enough said(bag o' belts so true!), 16 year old grandmothers (good & also true), Glaucoma medicine(go Madea!), Men all pause, getting respect in old age. I think Madea is one of the funniest characters ever!!

I recommend everyone read this book and pass it on to you mother, aunt or grandmother. This book will keep you laughing and make you look at life a little different.