Customer Reviews

Too Real For Fiction

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

 

 

`Too Real for Fiction: A Memoir' by Thomastrius L. Williams details the life of teen Ladae Connor. When her mother remarries, Ladae feels as if her life is like a revolving door as she has to move from her old neighborhood, leave her friends, attend a new school and adjust to a new stepfather and siblings. With so much going on, it's a wonder that Ladae is able to function. That is until her hormones begin to emerge and she discovers boys!

Ladae is adventurous, experimental and rarely boy free. She spends her free time sneaking off and when she and her mother continue to bump heads, she decides it`s best that she leave home. Even as she maneuvers the streets like a `wild child,' she continues to excel in school and keep a job. But the drama with the boys in her life is usually the one thing she can't seem to resolve. When she graduates high school, she feels conflicted as her love life is headed in the opposite direction. Will her heart dissuade her from making it?

I tried reading this book some time ago and put it down. In my opinion, a memoir should be told by someone famous who has lived a fabulous life. While Ladae has had some difficult moments, the story is flat, incomplete and in desperate need of editing as the story has many, many errors. There was word confusion (waive/wave and we're/ were). Because of the substantial errors, as a Chicagoan, I couldn't help but wonder if she misspelled the cities, Evansville for Evanston and Smokie for Skokie, unintentionally or on purpose. It wasn't until the very end of the book that I was able to celebrate as Ladae finished foolishly following behind some man and was able to understand what was indeed needed to participate in a real relationship. Promiscuous, naïve, yet persistent with her education was the saving grace, as Ladae pushed to remove the stigma of being a statistic.

In its current state, I can't see myself recommending 'Too Real for Fiction: A Memoir' and would instead recommend the author invest in editing as well as remove the word memoir from the title. I do LOVE the acknowledgments.

Reviewed by: Crystal
2.5

Ladae Willimas delivers a gripping story that all young people should read. Her story is one of hope and empowerment. Ladae brings forth a diversity of the many dysfunctional issues that occur in the home and Ms. Williams delivers her real life story in a style that is clear, very dynamic and at the same time incites the reader to ask MANY questions.

This story is for black male and female teens and delivers several messages of hope and empowerment. This story is for parents and adults who want to understand the world of teens. I STRONGLY recommend this book to youth groups, homes and classes! Ladae's "Too Real For Fiction" is now on my personal book shelf! Want to open up a conversation with a yung person? Start by giving them this book! Teen pregnancy is not the end of a young person's life. A runaway does not have to do drugs or engage in prostitution - read this book and get empowered!

I am proud to have interviewed Ladae Williams on my blog talk radio show - where we discuss "Too Real For Fiction" in great detail!

The Author did an exceptional job on relating to her readers. From the time; I removed the book from it packaging, I could not put it down. Each page made me more curious to know what happened next. She showed me that everyone has trials and tribulations of a young woman. The end result is what you have to show for it. No matter what obstacles that boldly stood in her way (emotionally, physically etc) she showed that if you have a goal stick to it. The journey will be hard but it will pay off in the end. This book should be in the 2010 school system because the teens today don't have a clue. I congratulate the author with a job well done!

So the stage is set. Truly gripping, the story of Ladae's, the main character, life will have you anticipating her next move and asking "what's next". Thomastrius Williams brings to life the true meaning of the expression "emotional coaster". "Too Real for Fiction" tackles a plethora of topics: sex, religion, drugs, abuse, on and on. The various topics keeps the book interesting while evoking a myriad of emotions. Throughout the course of the book what I found especially interesting was learning more about Ladae's religious exposure.

I'd highly recommend this book to young teens, youth groups and parents. I must admit, when I reached the final page I was highly disappointed that there wasn't any more to read. I did not want the story to end. The characters were extremely too intriguing for this to be the end. Too Real for Fiction is too real to not have a sequel.

Williams' novel is not at all for the faint of heart. Too Real For Fiction tells the story of a young woman coming into her own in the harsh reality of the urban suburbs. She describes traumatic events in frank narrative, almost unfazed by the fact that some of the issues would lead regular folk to therapy. Ladae, the main character, seems so smart, she's at times stupid, given the choices she makes. She's the girl you all knew in school: smart, pretty, but dating THAT thug. Street-wise and equally academically capable, she navigates life despite family conflicts and constant instability. Williams breaks her neck to tell the good, the bad, and the ugly, but what I wanted was more of the lessons she learned from these experiences. She gives glimpses of this at times, but they come off more as victory dances and not exercises in contrition. The story is a must read for anyone working with teenagers as a reminder that the ones who seem to have it altogether perhaps need the most support. You'll be amazed at Ladae's resourcefulness, but equally amazed at her poor choices. Your inner teenager will likely relate, but the parent in you will cringe.

"Too Real For Fiction" is a gripping true story that will take you on an emotional joy ride. Growing up in a suburb of Chicago, Ladae Conner is faced with major transitions in her life. She has to balance a new extended family, a new school, religious beliefs, and sexual attraction. She is encumbered with domestic fights, street life, and a teenage love triangle. Instead of letting these challenges deter her, Ladae uses them as fuel to accomplish her goal to attend college.
However life continues to throw curve balls at this determined teenager. As a college student, Ladae is faced with even more trials and tribulations. Instead of giving up hope, she became an expert at finding any and all available resources to help her succeed. Her story of achievement is one that goes against the odds, and shows the readers that anything is possible.

well personally i really enjoyed the book, you got to see the inside of Ladae world, and it even had some drama action in there to make me laugh. A positive book to show that anything in life is possible, all u gotta do is want it.