Customer Reviews

The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful, and (HIV) Positive

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I rec'd my book in the mail Monday evening. I didn't get around to reading it until late which means I stayed up all night long reading it until early Tuesday morning. This book is so inspirational and i'm so proud of this young lady putting this book out here. Watching her on CNN's Black in America and hearing her story and her purpose-I knew I wanted to support her by purchasing the book. Everybody has a little piece of Marvelyn Brown in them be it, the desire to be loved, the desire to want to leave a legacy, and the hope to break stereotypes. I must say that if you or someone you know needs inspiration...GET THIS BOOK. It's a bold story and it's the TRUTH!

I was introduced to Ms. Marvelyn Brown and her story during CNN's 'Black in America' special that aired in July. Marvelyn Brown and Courtney Martin have written a book that is both riveting and shocking in it's candid description of the choices and events that led to Ms. Brown's positive HIV test.

The authors have shined a light on the continuing ignorance and naiveté of many people in this country as it relates to understanding HIV. Marvelyn's story could be the difference between a positive and negative test for a lot of sexually active teens (and adults) in this country.

I pray that many will read this book and share this story with people they love. It is truly a cautionary tale.

First, I'll deal with the misleading part. The product description states that Ms. Brown is a non-promiscuous young woman. I take issue with the 'non-promiscuous' part. If Ms. Brown had not caught HIV from Prince Charming, she very easily could have caught it from one of her many other sexual partners. The definition of promiscuous is having multiple sexual partners. By definition, Ms. Brown was indeed promiscuous. THAT is how she caught HIV.

Her message is that everyone, even non-promiscuous heterosexuals, are at risk. That message is very important. She should not jeopardize that message by trying to pretend she was being chaste and still caught HIV.

One last issue I had with the book: I think this message needs to reach everyone, not just African-American females. Her language is raw. That may jeopardize her message by turning some people off before they have a chance to finish the book.

Having said that, let me reiterate the importance of her message. Actually, there is more than one message. She talks about the impact of suicide, the impact of growing up without the presence of a father-figure, the long-term impact of decisions one might make in high school, and the impact of low self-esteem (self-love)- all while sending the message that being HIV+ does not need to be a death sentence. All of these messages are so important and she does a great job of getting those messages across.

I used the book last night to have a discussion with my daughters. Ms. Brown's words are more eloquent than mine, so I actually read out loud from the book. Her message that suicide does NOT send the message you may intend is extremely powerful. I read that to my girls.

I read to them the myths and realities of AIDS. That was a very easy and non-awkward way to pass this information on and discuss some unusual topics. We also read together the AIDS facts that are included in the back of the book. These were very informational and very helpful.

Please hand a copy of this book to every young woman you know who does not have the parental guidance she needs. Make a gift of this book to your public library, your school's guidance counselors, and to your church leaders.

For those of you with children: I recommend you read the book before you hand it to your teenagers.

I ordered this book for my fourteen year old daughter.S he is in the beginning stages of liking boys. I personally did not read the whole book and yet she did. My daughter is not big on reading. The book did touch her heart. I believe it made her think. We discussed what she had learned, she stated that I dont want to ruin my life. This book has planted a seed in her mind!

Although I am old enough to be Ms. Brown's mother I found her book very touching and eye opening.-VERY! When I closed the book at the end I just had to sit and take a deep breath. At 19 that could have been any of us and Im sure it is many of us. I could not believe how forgiving she was of "Prince Charming"-WOW! I also wish Ms. Brown would have had a better relationship with her mother....not to mention her father. I believe that had alot to do with her choices. Such a "moving" truth. In closing I wont say this is a "good book" simply because there is such tragedy involved ( to me) but it is a MUST READ!!!!

First, I really enjoyed this book. There is nothing better than telling "The Naked Truth". When I get the chance to meet Ms. Marvelyn,I will give her a friendly hug because she is very special. I believe that she was placed here on earth to tell this story. Her story was very entertaining and educational at the same time. I watched her when she made an appearance on 106 and Park. I really admire Ms.Brown for sharing her personal life story with the whole world. This book was well worth the price at the bookstore. This book should be at every library around the world. This story is a prime example of how PEOPLE will turn their backs on you just when you need them most! It also shows how people will fight reality even when it means lying to loved ones. Even today in (2008), PEOPLE are still very uneducated about HIV and AIDS. It surprises me that so many adults fail to educated themselves on AIDS. The bottom line is that PEOPLE are so focused on LIFE and not the REALITY of it. Over all, I enjoyed this book and will continue to pass it along. THANKS MARVELYN

I can't remember where I heard about this book, but as soon as I did, I immediately snagged it up, and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. There were two reasons I wanted to read it: 1) to try to understand why a woman would repeatedly have unprotected sex (I can't wrap my mind around that one to this day); 2) to see how a young, Black woman lives healthy and happy as an HIV positive patient. Because I speak to college classes at book signings about correct condom usage and getting tested and some of the HIV/AIDS myths, I support everyone else who does, especially those who are in the public eye. But no matter how much I volunteer or speak on the topic, there are things I'm just flat out not going to know or be able to speak about, such as how the medication to fight the disease feels, the looks of scorn for someone who admits that they are HIV positive, and how the Black community reacts to those who are open. Marvelyn answers all of these questions and more.

Sometimes her opinions were hard to digest (ex. wanting Beyonce to play her on an episode of "Half & Half" instead of Michelle made me think she completely missed the point), the constant bragging about how good she looks (confidence is wonderful, but bragging is annoying no matter the person or the condition), and chasing men throughout the read (from getting tattoos to constantly making excuses for guys who weren't about anything). I didn't agree with her not outing Prince Charming's name because if he was in denial enough to have unsafe sex with her, he'll continue to do it, and if her town is still that much in denial about who or how it can be transmitted, somebody needs to point him out before he continues to put folks' lives in danger. While I understand that she felt it was her responsibility to be safe, I also feel like it's the responsibility of all involved to look out for each other in dangerous circumstances. But no two people are alike, so although I didn't agree with some of her opinions and choices, I accepted them for who she was, no matter how much I wanted to yank her heart off her sleeve and put it back in her chest.

Some of the most interesting parts of this book was the information I did not know, like how there are those in South Africa who feel AIDS can be cured with garlic potatoes or by sleeping with a virgin. Huh? It was also alarming how the opinions of a small town can make or break a person, especially considering I live in a major city where folks could really care less about your name, never mind your status. It made me sympathize that much more for people in small communities who fear going public about intense topics such as these.

I honestly think that everybody can learn something from reading this book. I'll probably read it again at some point and time.

I have read Marvelyn's book and like many people who wrote these reviews, have not met her in person, but I speak to her on the phone (I've booked her for speaking engagements). This book is Marvelyn in person (at least on the phone). As I read the book with the raw language I could hear Marvelyn speaking the word with her southern drawl. I believe as others do that this book should be on every teenager's and yound adult's reading list. It embraces the many aspects of teenage life, divorced parents, affects of drug use on a family, etc. I can't applaud Marvelyn enough for putting this out there. I have passed the book along to some teenaged girls who don't usually enjoy reading, but this book kept their interest and they finished it and enjoyed. But most of all.....they talked about the content. WAY TO GO MARVELYN!!!!!! If you haven't bought this book yet...GO OUT AND GET IT FOR YOURSELF, DAUGHTERS, SONS, NEPHEWS, SISTERS, COUSINS, ETC. and no, its not only for the African-American audience she speaks of her encounters with other HIV/AIDs infected people who are not African-Americans....SO GO GET IT. CONGRATULATIONS MARVELYN!!!!

It is my belief that this book should be required reading for every teenager and their parent(s)and that they should sit down afterward to discuss the contents.

I can only imagine that it isn't easy trailblazing a path to erasing the stigma attached to being HIV+.

Marvelyn Brown is a very brave young women and I'm willing to bet that if you were to spend time talking with her she would say that she doesn't see herself as being brave but rather as someone telling the 'Truth' about her life.

The Naked Truth told a story of poor choices, consequences, acceptance & strength. Marvelyn was a young lady who made choices that a lot of us made as adolescents. But, the way she handled the cards she was dealt was nothing short of amazing. This book is a inspiration to those with HIV/AIDS and an eye opener for those without it. It was well written making it hard to put down. I think everyone should read The Naked Truth, especially teenagers, who sometimes think they're invincible.