Customer Reviews

Nappily Ever After [With Earbuds] (Playaway Adult Fiction)

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I saw this book listed in Essence magazine and knew I just had to have it. I just recently cut off all my "beautiful" relaxed hair. I saw the title of the book and I was intrigued. I read this book in two days. I can totally relate to Venus because the feelings she had about her hair, the insecurities of not having long hair (her ex-boyfriend's new girl had long hair) and all that, those are feelings I've had. I've had my hair relaxed for ten years and cutting it off is very hard. It's like her friend stated in the book, "It takes a strong sister to cut it all off." I could not put this book down. After reading the first chapter, I had to know how it ended. Buy it for you and your friends.

Loved this book!

I've spent a few a nights, Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons doing hair for a sistah or two in the dorms, and as a straight, black man I was always amazed that no matter how broke they were. . .or how much they hated it. . . how strong a ritual it was in their lives (I didn't understand it, but I'm VERY THANKFUL for it, because it really helped me pay my way through school).

"Nappily Ever After" gave me some deeper insights on how much importance some women place on what their hair looks like and how it can get wrapped up into all aspects of their lives. The author showed all sides of a sister in Venus from her towering strengths to some of her weaker sides; but most importantly, Trisha R. Thomas showed the journey she took going from one extreme to the other...back and forth a couple of times.

The writing is crisp and relaxing, the characters were rich, and the story really keeps you in the pages (although I think the connection of the characters in the end was a little trite and convenient). This is an excellent debut novel and I'm recommending it to all the folks I know.

Look forward to your next book, Ms. Thomas!

I finished reading this book almost a month ago but I just wasn't ready to write a review at that time. I needed to think on it for a minute. I had read several reviews and was eager to get into it. This book was a good read but it just wasn't what I expected. From the reviews I really thought it was about a sister who gets tired of her long permed hair and cuts it off and goes natural and finds herself and makes some kind of political statement about black womenhood, self-esteem, self-empowerment, et al. Well, Venus does in a way finds herself but not quite how I envisioned. I thought the storyline would carry us through the various reactions and experiences because she has made a drastic change in her appearance. There were some reactions, I just thought there would be more regarding corporate America and other areas. Instead it seemed it was not about the hair but about the issues and baggage that plagued her. Venus nurtured a relationship with Clint, was there for him through the tough years of medical school and when she presented him with an ultimatum, he couldn't be a man about it and step up to the plate. I won't spoil the rest for those who haven't read the book, but he kicked her in the stomach. I understand his point too, the man always has his ego and pride to protect. But the premice still seemed to be that from all the confidence Venus gained when she cut off her hair (shackles) in the end her happiness was still defined by having a man. That was the way it seemed to me. Again I don't want to say anymore. The book was a indeed a page turner so that is why I rated it f stars. It is always a treat to hear a fresh new voice. I will definitely read the author's future books.

Nappily Ever After is the debut novel of Author Trisha R. Thomas. Thomas tells the compelling and endearing story of a woman, Venus Johnston, who is struggling to define herself by her own standards.

Nappily Ever After opens with Venus in a hair salon getting her mane cut to a close cropped natural style. While sitting in the stylist's chair, Venus reflects back on her lifelong struggle with her hair. Cutting her hair is the beginning of Venus' quest for self-defintion. After shedding her hair, Venus is forced to face herself without the frills that she has become accustomed to hiding behind. She learns the true meaning of beauty in the process.

Dealing with her new hairstyle is only one of Venus' problems. Readers also meet an engaging cast of characters including Clint, her former live-in boyfriend and Kandi, the new woman in Clint's life. Clint begins a relationship with Kandi on the rebound from his split with Venus. Kandi openly accepts Clint in her life, but has a few skeletons in her closet as well.

Nappily Ever After deals with the issue of self perception and how it influences one's interactions with others. It also gives the reader a view of what can happen when one is truly happy with oneself.

It is so good to see the vast African American talent that we have among us. Trisha Thomas has written a novel that a lot of us don't really tackle about. Our hair. She takes a real brave sister, Venus Johnston, who cuts off her hair, sends her boyfriend out of her life, and then embarks on one of her own. It is not all happy stuff here. Most of the folks she encounter are either trying to put her down,stalking her with crazy notes, and just plain being simple. Combined with the pressures of the corporate world and how she handles that, has the makings of a great debut novel. I feel the author wants to let us know that we are unique in our own way and don't need no one else to validate or tell us who we are. Brava!! or You go Girl!!!

Clearly this is a compelling book as for anyone even vaguely familiar with African American culture since the title is so provocative. And in the plot hair both literally and as a metaphor represents a shackle for black women and a hurdle to be surmounted in achieving a sense of worth and self esteem.

The author's use of hair as a metaphor in depicting the lives of African Americans insightful and adept. From a literal perspective it is apt and often funny; however, always with an edge. However, the focus of the novel is the predominant underlying theme that a sense of inner worth, and satisfaction are essential and fundamental to beauty (as well as a broader definition of what represents beauty).

"Nappily Ever After" is touching and poignant in its representation that many African American women view beauty and success as being represented by securing one of the successful, dependable, (and seemingly rare) black men. It's message is important and powerful in calling out to women that they need to look no farther than within to determine the level of beauty and success they have attained; when they recognize this, then the beauty will be self evident to any others who are worthy of appreciating it.

Despite the important and eloquent themes, the protagonist's angst and self exploration are belabored to an excessive extent, and the book would have benefitted from editing in this regard. Additionally, the book relied upon a "the bad guy gets his deserves" and the good (if occasionally misguided) characters all find happiness in the end.

A decent book, with important themes; however, the writing is not profound and this novel does not constitute great literature. Instead, it is simply a nice book.

I picked up a couple of books from my cousin before she was evicted from her apartment, this being one of them. I started this and put it down saying, "Another blackwoman drama."
Last week, having to go on a long trip, I picked this book back up. Having cut off all of my long, relaxed hair almost a year ago, the book had new meaning. I was delighted reading the main character, Venus, regail in her triumph of releasing the iron bonds and experiencing the freedom that comes with a new haircut. My appreciation for the book stopped there.
Venus, a self-centered middle class ad exec, decided, without speaking with her lover of 4 years, that she's had enough of waiting for the ring, the black woman's proverbial golden fleece. Why it became necessary to classify educated black women as power-hungry control freaks was beyond me. Her insipid man, Clint, found solace in another educated black woman, Kandi, who of course is a gold-digger. He proposes to this stranger 4 weeks into their rebound relationship. This desperate woman knows that Clint is on the rebound, but because her need to hook a doctor outweighs the prospect of real love, she accepts his proposal.
This book takes ridiculous turns everywhere. The narration is muddled. Venus, conincidentally, is attracted to a new client who happens to be Kandi's married ex, Tyson. Venus gets threatening notes at work, and accuses a co-worker who came on to her. The storyline of the notes is absurd because how Venus is being stalked when Tyson is having a relationship with Kandi still is silly. Venus and Tyson had two brief lunch dates, but Kandi and Tyson see eachother regularly. The only indication that she might be stalked is when Clint finds a note in her apartment. But she never mentions it. You'd think she'd have that weighing heavy on her mind since she's seeing a married man.
The women in this "novel" all have low self-esteem, and are very embarrasing to read about. Also, Venus must be unattractive, because since I first got my brushcut, I've had nothing but rave reviews. Her assumption that black men don't like short cuts is very narrowminded. I'm a force to reckon with. Or maybe that's only because I hear all the time, "Not everyone can do it. You have the face for it." I guess Venus couldn't do it, and didn't have the face for it. She certainly didn't have the heart.

I have to agree with everyone who've reviewed this book thus far, it's a great story. What distinguishes this author's first novel from others is the fact that it's a refreshing look at the male/female relationships that is a step above the other novels that are saturating the market. This means is not only about two people but a group whose loves are carefully intertwined. It's about their emotions and passions and about getting to know themselves and what they want out of life. After I finished, I too took a look at myself in the mirror and decided that I needed to reconsider different aspects in my life. I have to start with myself first then everything else will fall into place. Of course we should all do this, but how many of us practice it?

Nappily ever after is comprised of a thin plot and no likeable characters. I bought the book because of the way it is portrayed on the jacket. I found it sorely lacking in reality. Venus, the main character, was never fully developed. There was never a middle stage to her life. She goes from being deeply unsatisfied and not loving herself, to being fully encompassed with Venus. Her character lacked depth. Her reasons for cutting off her hair were never fully explained. Instead, that aspect of the story is loosely and poorly tied Venus' ex boyfriend and his lack of a marriage proposal. Huh? Clint contradicts his personality (i.e. his fear of marriage), in a huge way. I'll leave that untouched for those who haven't read the novel. Khandi is a relatively "easy" young lady who seems to exist only for men. She is incredibly shallow, and not in a "love to hate" her kind of manner. I gave this book three stars for two reasons. Firstly, the option of 2 1/2 stars wasn't made available so I rounded it up to the nearest whole number. Secodly, though I have read much more superbly written and plotted novels, I have also read worse ones than this so in comparison, three stars are not too generous. I would not suggest that one not buy this novel. I only suggest that those who are looking for substance, keep looking.

Nappily Ever after tricks readers into believing it is a story about a sista who finds empowerment through shaving her head. Unfortunately it's just another in the series of successful middle class black women-complaining about how bad their life is dramas churned out by publishers to capitalize on Black women's pain.
The story focuses on Venus Johnston, a successful middle class black woman who shaves her long hair then dumps Clint, her non-commital boyfriend of four years in a statement of "empowerment" Why is the word "empowerment" in quotes? Because the Venus character is just playing a manipulative head game with Clint (he has issues too, I'll get to them next paragraph) to get him to propose to her. When her plan to change Clint backfires, the insecure Venus goes off the deep end, accusing co-worker Ray of stalking her, and blaming everyone for the problems SHE caused.
Clint, the insecure "nice guy" doctor hooks up with Kandi, the first woman to pay attention to him. What's a "nice guy"? A man or woman who REEKS of so much insecurity that they attract the lowest forms of life to them such as Goldiggers, wife beaters, and other abusive types. Kandi the schoolteacher is a goldigger looking to bag a doctor. True to "nice guy" form, Clint falls "in love" with Kandi after a few dates and decides to propose marriage. LOSER!
Kandi the predator is having an affair with Tyson Edwards, the married owner of a cosmetics company whose account Venus is trying to snag. Back to perpetual victim Venus, her bosses at Donnelly Kramer put her on leave for acting like a nut at work. She heads home to California for Christmas vacation where she finds "empowerment" through buying a bunch of sexy designer clothes and a brand new BMW. All of these plot threads build as the plot comes to a very sloppy conclusion with the convoluted revelation of Tyson's wife being the stalker. Where did she come from? Three words: DEUS EX MACHINA! On top of that, Venus finds love with Airic on the flight back. That tells me she isn't cured of the "NICE GUY" syndrome yet, she's still hooking onto the first person that pays attention to her. And in the end I wondered why Venus goes to Clint's wedding? An empowered woman wouldn't even be thinking about attending an ex's wedding. They'd be too busy getting on with their life to waste their valuable time dwelling on the past.
Feminism this isn't. Venus Johnston is an insecure woman who only becomes more insecure after shaving her head. I didn't believe her character learned anything from her experiences. The only thing that grew in this story was the hair on her head. She's still trapped in a vicious cycle unaware that the only way to find real empowerment is to love herself. Shame. At the end of the story Venus only has the veneer of empowerment, not the real thing. (Self-empowerment is a truly emotionally painful and draining process that takes YEARS.) In her shallow world Venus finds a false sense of empowerment through, money, designer clothes and cars. This was a great idea and premise ruined by terrible execution by a writer who didn't understand what she was writing about Perhaps Ms. Thomas should have shaved her own head to get a better understanding of her character's experience before putting pen to paper.
Ms. Thomas' writing style is horrid. In the middle of the story she switches perspectives from first person to third person and writes long rambling passages that have nothing to do with advancing the story. The storyline is disorganized, things happen without reason. I'm scratching my head wondering how editors of a publishing house let something this badly written get published, how the NAACP nominated this title for an Image Award, and how something as incoherent as this story can being adapted into a screenplay. It could be everyone was conned by that "Nappily Ever After" title. Take a trip to the library because this one isn't worth the purchase price.