Customer Reviews

Too Beautiful for Words

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Too Beautiful For Words is a well-written, riveting and poignant debut novel from Monique W. Morris.

The storyline opens in the late 60s/early 70s; Morris introduces us to the streets of Oakland where prostitutes, pimps and drug dealers roam from sunrise to sunrise. On a bright, sunny day, Peaches, a young impressionable teenager meets up with the likes of Jesus, a well known pimp. Longing for attention, Peaches, mistakenly believes that Jesus loves her but in reality he turns her out sexually and then puts her on the streets as his #1 prostitute. When Peaches becomes pregnant with Jesus' child she seeks a better life for herself and her young son, Jason. Unfortunately, trying to get away from Jesus would cause her more than she ever suspected. Young Jason watches what happens to his mom and subconsciously he stores it in his memory bank until a later date when Jesus will have to pay up for the havoc he invoked years before.

Too Beautiful For Words is a sad, devastating and heart-wrenching story about what happens when you're in the fast lane, running with the big dogs, in the mean inner-city streets. A common theme running throughout the story is "Love Don't Love Nobody" not even blood relatives. Morris presents a raw and realistic look at what happens in the underground world of pimps, prostitutes, lascivious sexual escapades and drugs. Morris' character development is excellent as she gives us characters that make us cry, others that fill us with hate and yet others who make us think. One of those characters who made us think was Chinaka, a former Black Panther who had befriended Peaches. Just as Chinaka tried to rescue Peaches, 20 years later she sets her sights on Jason, who is looking to get into the family business. Will Chinaka have too little to offer too late or will she be successful in breaking the vicious cycle that threatens to take Jason to an early grave?

It's been a few weeks since I read this book...but it seems like only yesterday. This is a book that stays with you long after you've finished the last page. If you're looking for a compassionate read with a strong message then check out Too Beautiful For Words by Monique W. Morris.

I havent read this book but i am very interested.
If you have read the book and enjoyed it then i urge you to listen to the song "Me & Jesus the Pimp in a '79 Granada last night" by The Coup,from the album "Steal This Album".Its a hip-hop/rap song but The Coup is an Oakland based Political group.Boots Riley (The Coup) wrote and performed the song and if your wondering what this has to do with the book,this is the song that inspired the book.Even if you dont like rap you will like this song.You'll also see where Morris got the title "Too Beautiful For Words".

This book really captured inner city struggles of many of our Black youth, as 2 of the more prominent dichotomized philosophies grappled within the mind & heart of the main character, Jason: Capitalism vs. Spirituality. Short term survival methods vs. continuity and enlightenment within a race of people. The antithesis of blasphemous, Morris was actually ingenius in her usage of Christianity as a metaphore for that which captures the mind & appearant soul of a young woman, Peaches. Morris is matter of fact. She reserves judgement of both prostitution (the medium of the story) and spirituality, not to be confused with religion, (the underlying focal point of all of the conflict within the book). The most thought provoking book I've read in years.

I thought this would be a grim little story about street life but it is so much more. Yes, parts of it are extremely ugly. This a about a pimp, a hooker and their son after all but ultimaltely it's about hope and the human spirit. I know this will sound trite but Ms. Morris's fiction really is too beautiful for words.

Kimberley Lindsay Wilson, author of 11 Things Mama Should Have Told You About Men.

Too beautiful for Words is a brilliant demonstration of an empowered character that is a product of his mother's oppression, another woman's education and love for her people, and his father's influence as a highly respected man in their community. The reader experiences the critical changing moment in Jason's life, whose choices have the power to impact his family's future and change the cyclical patterns. The book celebrates the very important need for choice, education, and truth. Because of the circumstances that lead characters where they are in life, we are engaged to confront our very own human needs for love, respect, honor, and family without judgement. The author puts a face on the very many issues that trouble us today, with an indirect discussion of concepts including systemic oppression, domestic violence, criminalization and labeling of youth, failures of our educational system, teen pregnancy, prison culture, etc. which need more attention. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to be challenged to think beyond the paradigms of the characters and look for a way to get our children to believe that their lives are...too beautiful for words.

I laughed, I cried, I was scared, and I was happy. Monique W. Morris is an excellent author. The novel takes you to every level of emotion possible. I give this book 10 stars. If you have ever had a friend if not yourself that loves a man more than herself or even life you can identify Chinaka. Her son,Jason the product of a pimp named,God does an ultimate act of revenge and love for his mother. Read this book! Read this book!

It was really good. It talks a lot about the struggle between street life and liberation. This is an important book.

The author captures the unique talents of each charater in the story. The story lines takes you on a journey to the past through the eyes of Peaches and Jesus, and brings you to the present day in the eyes of Jason their son. I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it highly.

I really enjoyed this book, started out a little slow but once it picked up I couldnt put it down.

While a somewhat difficult read, I loved the first-person narrative. The characters became real to me because they "spoke" in their personal dialect. The plot was unpredictable enough to keep me on board - never bored - to the end. I had to remind myself that this was fiction - it felt so real!