Nappily Ever After [Paperback]

Trisha R. Thomas (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (2000)
• ASIN: B000IYBQUQ
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (96 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Trisha R. Thomas speaks to the insurmountable beauty standards set for young girls, following them into adulthood, and how it continually effects their lives as women. She's been a guest analyst on CNN's Paula Zahn and Headline News. Her sixth novel in the series,Un-Nappily In Love continues with the spirited character, Venus Johnston, who bucks the status quo and starts living for the beauty within herself, instead of what's on the outside. Her debut novel Nappily Ever After will soon be a film starring Oscar winner Halle Berry. Publisher's Weekly offers praise for her series, "...it's her wry humor that keeps this delightful series blooming."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I CAN RELATE, December 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Nappily Ever After: A Novel (Hardcover)

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.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Combin' Thru the Naps..., January 3, 2001

By 

B! (Round Rock, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nappily Ever After: A Novel (Hardcover)

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!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a page turner but......., February 10, 2001

By 

Dera R Williams (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nappily Ever After: A Novel (Hardcover)

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.