Customer Reviews

Tastes Like Chicken: A Novel (Files, Lolita)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm writing this as I'm finishing the book, so if my thoughts are all over the place, blame it on what I just read. Funny? This book??? I laughed ONCE--at the fried chicken audition. Before I say anything else I must say this book was quite engaging--as all are of Files' books--but once again she needs to work on her ending. Just like "Gettin' to the Good Part," the ending leaves a WHOLE helluva lot to be desired. What is it with Lolita Files and flimsy endings? But I digress--before the end comes the story, and the story (complete with totally ridiculous, utterly transparent plugs for books written by Files' two best friends) is, well, silly to the point of pointLESS. Files stays remarkably true to her main characters though: bad decisions are Reesy's perpetual trademark and Misty is just as dingy as ever. In her defense, Lolita Files displays her remarkable skill with keeping the reader hooked to the point that we're helpless to get off the ride even if we anticipate how badly she'll leave us hanging. I agree with the other reviewers in that Files was WRONG for leaving the loose ends dangling on Tyrone and Tyrene and that situation, and I thought the "chase to Cali and avoid" mess was retarded as hell too. I also don't know what the 'Tastes Like Chicken' title is about; however, I didn't BORROW THIS BOOK FROM THE LIBRARY because the title sounded appealing 'cause it didn't, but because it was by Lolita Files, an author whom I truly believe is not living up to her potential. Lolita has the skills to be a truly great author if she would just embrace the fact that she was not born to emulate EJD with the drama and find her own "TRUE" shine, as Tonya Marie Evans would say. Okay, if anybody found any lesson whatsoever in this story, please tell me what it was 'cause I missed it. What's funny is how in each of Lolita's books her characters move around just like she did--from Florida to New York to Cali, but she is SO good at inserting landmarks. I was on that street with her in front of the Manhattan Beach Marriott next to the movie theater!

I'm a big fan of Ms. Files and have read and enjoyed all of her previous novels. However, in "Tastes Like Chicken", I couldn't connect with the characters. The storyline was somewhat silly.

This book was not horrible, but it was in no way very good. I would recommend borrowing it from a friend versus purchasing it on your own.

The author appeared to have dragged through the beginning and then ended the ending to abruptly, which is when the book actually got to the good part.

I love black authors but sometimes we get a littel ahead of ourselves. I've just finished this book and I was very disappointed to say the least. It felt like this was a rushed book. Alot of loose ends were not tied up (possibly b/c there will be another book?). The book was a little unrealistic for my tastes. I know alot of black people and most of them do not have money just laid up somewhere. It seemed like Ms Files wanted to make a fairy tale, romantic, fairy tale but was in a hurry to make the release date. I'm awfully glad that I did not pay full price for this book. Definately a good read for all you insomniacs or 3rd shift workers but not a neccessity to your library.

Lolita Files is by far my favorite author yet, the ending was just ridiculous. I was highly disappointed. I wanted to see the showdown between Tyrone and Tyrene. I felt like Files should have given the book some type of closure. I know there will be another book about it but man, you just can't leave your readers hanging for another 2 years on that subject.

What a disappointment!!! I don't even know where to begin when it comes to this book. First of all, the title has absolutely nothing to do with any element of the story. One wonders if this were not just a marketing ploy to get unsuspecting readers to buy it... like me. The author does a very poor job of making this a likeable story. She introduces characters and then drops them like hot potatoes with no development whatsoever. She spent more time detailing Reesy's 3 dogs than she did some of the main characters. The relationship between Hill and Tyrene was never believable; Tyrene's anger at her husband was never fully explained. This story had too many loose ends and no real resolution except at the very end. Why would you follow someone all the way to California and then never make an effort to see them? Then follow them all the way back to the East Coast and then hunt them down? What was the purpose of Zoe and Chloe; they added nothing. I could go on and on..... Ms. Files, you missed the mark on this one!!

Reesy is finally ready to walk down the aisle. Well at least she thinks she is until a surprise greets her at the altar. In typical Reesy fashion she does what she does best, run. Unfortunately she loses a lot more than her dignity at the altar. Racked with frustration she heads off to California. With no one but Misty knowing her whereabouts she decides to start over. But she finds out that getting over Dante is not the easiest thing to do.

Misty is a newlywed and enjoying every minute of it. Still the consummate career woman she is not ready for all that comes along with marriage. Her husband Rick however is. Misty feels that they are really laying a solid foundation for their future until she finds a wastebasket full of pin pricked condom wrappers. Uncertain of anything anymore she turns to her girl Reesy to help her through.

Tyrone and Tyrene Snowden have been together for a few decades. Theirs is an unsinkable love, or is it? Unable to heal their daughter's broken heart and spirit they develop some interesting habits to help themselves cope. Can they make it last forever?

Tastes Like Chicken is funny from beginning to end. Ms. Files has done it again. In a hilarious follow-up to Scenes From A Sista and Getting To The Good Part, Lolita Files has brought our two favorite girlfriends back. Misty and Reesy are as crazy as ever and still up to their necks in Brotha Drama.

Readincolor Reviewers
Angie Pickett-Henderson

I think this book was so good. I read the first two parts as well. The characters in all three books were just so amazing to me. Usually when I read books and they have second parts to them, they're boring. But I must say this one was not. It's a must read 4 everybody. Ms. Files definitely did her thang. And especially in Child of God 2. I hope she makes a fourth part to the book. I would love to see how Reesy and Dandre,Rick and misty, Tyrone, Tyrene and Hill are all doin.

Date Reviewed: January 16, 2004

Drama, drama, drama! Lolita Files pulls out all the stops with her
latest dramatic sizzler. She serves up some heartbreaking issues for
two of our favorite sistahs, Misty Fine and Teresa Snowden. On our last
visit, they were on the brink of major life changes. Misty was on her
honeymoon and Reesy was recently engaged and suspecting she was entering
motherhood. In TASTE LIKE CHICKEN, they are back in full force. The
wedding is in progress, Reesy is still in awe that she is getting married.
A sudden commotion disrupts the ceremony, and to the horror of everyone
attending, a picture of Dandre, in all of his naked glory, with multiple
partners is pulled from beneath each seat. To use a Reesy-ism, 'All hell
breaks loose'.

Tempers flare, Reesy flees the church, takes an ill-fated fall, and that
is only the beginning. One by one, like stacked dominoes, her beliefs
about life and her 'peeps' slowly topple. It seems like everybody has
something going on. Reesy can no longer fake the funk, she pushes an
apologetic Dandre to the back of her heart, packs her Roadster, and sets
her sights on Los Angeles and the big screen. While Misty is trying to
'be there' for Reesy, she uncovers a shocking revelation about Rick and
their marriage and Misty is contemplating her usual reaction; packing up
and leaving. For the first time in 25 years Misty and Reesy do not have
each other's back. But can one run from life forever? Ms. Files forces
them to face some hard truths about themselves and they are finally able
to do in full what they had only done in part; grow up.

Sexy, scandalous, unexpected, and unforgettable, TASTES LIKE CHICKEN
culminates Misty and Reesy's tumultuous journey. Ms. Files, with her
special flair still leaves some serious family drama hanging. Although
it is not required that you read the first two books, SCENES FROM A
SISTAH andGETTING to the GOOD PART, doing so will magnify your
appreciation of their story. This is a wonderful epilogue.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Tastes like chicken???

I don't know what that is a reference too, but I do know this book was not a good read. Sure the girls- Reesy and Misty are back. I was looking forward to reading their adventures, but it was not their adventures, it was more like the Reesy show, and her show did not get good reviews. From the beginning it had potential, the trip to California added even more potential, but then it basically just ended with a bunch of loose ends, with undeveloped plotlines. Sleazy was funny, but who was he? Heck if we the readers know. The twins role in this book and it was boring, and pointless. Rick, ok he needs help... I guess we have to wait until the fourth installment of this series to see how this mess ends. I think the author should have spent less time, calling out names, (Maxell, Malika Yoba, Eric Jerome Dickey) and spent more time ending storylines.

I must admit this book was funny, but so is an episode Seinfeld, and there is no charge to watch it. This book costs $$$. I enjoyed the part about the dogs. I googled that breed to see if I saw a resemblance to a cat, I did not. The Tyrene/Tyrone storyline was unappealing. Overall, I doubt if I would want to read yet another book about these same people. After all the whole storyline could have been wrapped up in this book, not extended to a fourth book. The author should have learned that in writing 101