For the Love of Money : A Novel [Paperback]

Omar Tyree (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 7, 2001

Tracy Ellison, the sizzling heroine of the bestselling Flyy Girl, returns in this razor-sharp sequel from acclaimed author Omar Tyree.

From hard-knocks Philly to glamorous Hollywood, Tracy Ellison has truly walked the walk. Now twenty-eight years old and a major movie star, the original Flyy Girl is returning to her East Coast roots. As Tracy reconnects with friends, she seems on the brink of a happily-ever-after existence. But as she begins to address the uncertainties of her youth, Tracy stirs up a string of difficult questions about past loves, ambivalent family ties, and her artistic ambitions. Can attaining success and happiness really be as simple as Tracy makes it look?

Crackling with honesty and passion, For the Love of Money is a triumphant continuation of the adventures of one of contemporary fiction's most outrageous young heroines.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Rowdy and predictable, this sequel to Flyy Girl, the tale of a streetwise, boy-crazy Philadelphia teen who learns some hard lessons, revisits the life and times of Tracy Ellison Grant, now 28 and a successful author (of a novel called Flyy Girl), TV and screenwriter, and rising movie actress, as she takes a closer look at her fame, fortune and heart. Tracy's old flame, Victor Hinson, has been doing a stretch in jail; once released, he changes his name and marries someone else. Tracy tries not to let his defection stop her from enjoying her notoriety. But she is still vulnerable as she makes a visit to her old stomping grounds, Philadelphia's Germantown: she feels exposed and fake speaking at her old high school, and on a radio chat show she's disturbed to hear rumors that she's a lesbian. She stays in touch with her old crew, but she is disillusioned on that front, too. Her friend, Kiwana, formerly Afrocentric and militant, disappoints Tracy when she marries a white man, and fast-talking Mercedes audaciously tries to scam Tracy for money. Tracy's heart still retains a soft spot for the reformed Victor, now a Muslim businessman, and the embers of their old affair flare up in a situation that resolves itself in several surprises. Tyree may turn off some readers with Tracy's clich?d poetry and occasional references to himself and his success throughout the narrative. Although the prose (rife with self-important italicized words to make obvious points) is often clunky and the dialogue flat, Tracy's adventures provide cool commentary on ambition, love, friendship and the price of fame.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

In this sequel to Flyy Girl, Tyree brings readers up to date on the fast-lane life of Tracy Ellison. Continuing his skillful use of dialog, the author wanders between present and past to tell the story of Tracy, now a Hollywood celebrity. Chapters end with poetry by Tracy about becoming a star, being dumped by her first love, Victor, and returning to her hometown. She tries to act unaffected by her success, but family, friends, and acquaintances relate to her differently. Tracy "struggles" to get a hot movie part while trying to lure author Omar Tyree to help her write the sequel to Flyy Girl. By book's end, (surprise) he agrees to write it. The book is filled with other annoying self-serving plugs for the author. Maybe Tracy's story is uplifting and intended to give a positive picture of stardom, money, and family. Maybe young adult readers are supposed to learn how wonderful money and fame can be if you keep your head on straight. However, the tale and the telling are just not very interesting. Curious fans of Flyy Girl might pick it up. For libraries with the first novel; others may want to pass.DShirley Gibson Coleman, Ann Arbor Dist. Lib., MI
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (August 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684872927
• ISBN-13: 978-0684872926
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (181 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #318,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Omar Tyree is a New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, journalist, screenwriter, and public speaker. A renowned business figure, he has published seventeen books, and his articles have been published in the Washington Post, Essence, Upscale, and the Washington Times.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars For the love of god, August 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: For the Love of Money : A Novel (Hardcover)

I'll keep it simple: HATED IT.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DECEPTION at it's best!, August 13, 2000

By 

Janeth C. Walker (VAFB, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: For the Love of Money : A Novel (Hardcover)

The original title, Flyy Girl, was such an awesome book. But on the cover of For The Love Of Money, it says, "Flyy Girl Returns". To what?

On the inside of this book, the acknowledgements read in part "Well...I'm back And I heard that you missed me." What I missed was.... a good story between the front of the jacket cover and the back. What happened? Why deceive us? One would think that while a reader can appreciate Tracy growing up and becoming a star as the author wants you to believe, what ever happened to real life drama on the way up to stardom? Tracy is still a very young woman, under thirty and as self centered as she was, I could think of many ways to have added at least a plot of some sort to keep my readers interested. The selected few who've read this book, kept reading, not because of the words on the pages, but because they invested a weeks worth of gas money and felt compelled to use it up.

I was going to return this book directly to the publisher with a letter of apology for buying the wrong book or at least a sympathy letter for them having to publish it. But I've since decided to keep it and check it out like libraries do. I wouldn't want anyone else having to waste money like this.

There are some good parts about the publishing of this book. To begin, Omar Tyree knows he's got a seller with this book simply because of the cover and it's an alleged part II. Omar Tyree also did something very unique in that he wrote in the past and present with each chapter and he's obviously a brilliant business person in his ability to create an attraction. The unfortunate part is that he omits realism with what can really happen to a young woman from the east coast coming to the west coast and encoutering true friendship, love, betrayal and deception, in a "full of drama" kind of way.

This book just lacks a story!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Garbage In is Garbage Out!, August 11, 2000

By 

kelvin crandon - See all my reviews

This review is from: For the Love of Money : A Novel (Hardcover)

Bro' Omar, what were you thinking? That you could throw a bunch of silly mix-matched words on paper just to call it a book? Or maybe you were on a tight dead-line for the publishing company and they had to put something/anything on the market. Whatever the case, you did yourself and your fans a serious disservice in penning For The Love of Money. I don't have to be a playa-hater to call trash exactly what it is. I liked Flyy Girl, but this mess doesn't even deserve to be called a book. If this is all it takes to write a book and get paid, I'm starting mine as soon as I finish typing this message.