Customer Reviews

When You Look At Me

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When you look at me, what do you see?  This is the question asked by 17-year-old, Tamlyn Blake, a welfare mother of two, high school drop out who is living in the projects; and her boyfriend Hassan Colbirth, a 23-year-old ex-convict drug dealer, loaded down with luxury automobile and a child from a previous relationship.  WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME is the first novel from author Undra "E." Biggs, and if the writing has anything to do with future novels, Biggs will be a name known by many.

First and foremost, this novel is very real, and as a result very painful to read at times.  The reality of the situations that surround Tamlyn and Hassan are so "in your face" that you feel immersed with the characters, and consequently ride their emotional rollercoasters as they hit highs and slam into lows.

The novel intermingles the reality of daily living with bittersweet love in a way that makes for a fast read.  I often time found myself upset with the main character, after all, love is love, but pain is pain, and you too will become so engrossed with Tamlyn's character, that you will want her to succeed and to leave the negativity once and for all in order to revel in the happiness that should be so good and sweet for her.  But in this story, you'll learn - among many things - that what's on the surface barely tells the true story.  Love may be forever, but will it make you happy?  Just because you live in the projects, does that mean you're insignificant?  Can you ever climb out of a hole you've spent your entire life involuntarily digging yourself into?

When you look at WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME, you'll understand the answers to these questions, and so many more.  Bittersweet and revealing to the end is this novel...a definite must-read!

Shonell Bacon, author of "Luvalwayz: The Opposite Sex & Relationships"

If you're looking for a story that's realistic, then you should by all means give WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME a read. And if you haven't learned at least a lesson or two by the time you finish this book, then you were not paying attention to the story that was being told. WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME is a very real story of a teenage mother who has to learn how to deal with life as it comes to her after making a few poor choices. You meet characters that trip and fall into mistakes that could hold them hostage for the rest of their lives. In this, her first novel, Undra E. Biggs uses tools like love, support and encouragement to blend her characters into a fast moving story that will not disappoint you from beginning to end. This is the kind of book that will make you think about being human and knowing that you don't have stay down when the world is counting you out.

Toward the end of the 1990s, teen pregnancy became an issue especially reserved for the back burner. Undra Bigg's debut novel, "When You Look at Me," is an exceptional journey into the life and plight of the teen-aged/single mother. WYLAM shares with the reader the joys, pain, hope, defeat, aspirations and the realities which single mothers deal with daily. I loved this book because it reveals the flip side of the ugly statistics that the media often expounds upon. I am referring to the single mothers who came from functional, healthy families, exceptional students, if and when used-- welfare was a stepping stone, high school and college graduates. The latter statements represent a large and ever growing number of teen/single mothers. WYLAM is a must read! This novel would definately serve as an esteem builder. So much so, that I have considered adding it to my lesson plan for my eighth grade English class. The objective/moral would encompass the need for adolescents to understand that all of life's choices have a consequence. My favorite line: "I hate you..." I said, but the translation of the heart was, I love you more than I love myself. Way down in the core of me there's you. So deep down inside til I am you..." Now, when love is healthy, that kind of feeling is a beautiful thing. When it's not, that feeling is a welcome sign to disaster. Read WYLAM!

When You Look At Me is a bittersweet and emotionally charged debut novel from Undra Biggs. Tamlyn Blake is an underage, unwed single mother who is forced to move out of her parent's house and live on her own after having two children out of wedlock. She's a high school dropout, a welfare recipient and living in one of the worst inner city projects. Along comes a potential suitor....Hassan Colbirth. Colbirth at 23-years old, is living large as an ex-convict, drug dealer, with a phat automobile and baby mama drama. Even though Tamlyn appears to be just another welfare mom, she and Hassan really come from different worlds and one has to ask the question..."Will their relationship be able to last in spite of their different backgrounds"?

When You Love at Me is an impressive debut novel from Undra Biggs. Biggs gives a realistic and emotionally honest portrayal of what can happen when a smart, middle-class girl risks it all in the name of passion or lust which she unfortunately mistook for love. The hard-knock reality is that it was not an easy pill to swallow when Tamlyn make the same mistake twice and it appeared that her family had turned their back on her. However, Biggs also shows that with persistence, sweat, tears and determination one can still grow up to be all they can be. My only disappointment with the novel was the ending which seemed a little too reminiscent of a fairy tale. That aside, I really enjoyed this provocative and poignant storyline.

When You Look at Me is a fast paced, engrossing and compelling read with a significant social message from an author with a fresh new voice. Biggs has shown that she's a name to be remembered and I look forward to future novels from this talented author.

APOOO BOOKCLUB

I've been reading from the time I knew what a book was and I've read some books that made me say "Damn" that was a good book With this book I couldn't say damn I was left unable to say anything I just wanted to sit there and think about Tamlyn and Hassan and the children I felt like I knew them Whem Tamlyn cried I cried When she was happy I felt good I read this book in five hours I was dead tired but couldn't put it down Undra Biggs definitely knows how to make you feel the characters I felt like she was writing from experience not necessarily hers but from someone's who she was close to There were a few times I had to stop reading (especially towards the end) and dry my tears and I mean I was boo hooing I could relate to some of the things Tamlyn and Hasaan went through Take my word on this ( I feel like I know I've been reading AA fiction for 24 years and I read at least 2 books a week) this book wil leaveyou wanting more Ms.Biggs I can't wait for your next book you have a fan for life Oh by the way this is the first book I've left a review on and I've read at least 8 in the last month I felt compelled to let people know about this one although they were all good books this one TOUCHED ME!!!

I don't know what I was expecting when I purchased this book but it certainly took my mind places I wasn't expecting. I laughed in some places and cried in others. "When You Look At Me" is a phenomenal read. Undra did a marvelous job with Tammy and Hassan and their stories were told perfectly. I couldn't put the book down from the time I received it to the time I finished it and it still left me wanting more. Job well done Undra. You have certainly gained a supporter of your work.

We can't change the way things are. "If you can't love the one you want, then love the one you're with!"

To be young, stupid, and in love mixed with some teen pregnancy, a dash of hustling, flavored with baby mama drama, and seasoned in family feud!

NOW THAT'S AN EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE!

"When you look at me" is a forthright story about the lives of Tamlyn A. Blake, a 17-year-old single mom struggling trying to make it on her own. Be anything besides another statistic! Can Tammy rebuild or is this as good as it's going to get in her case?

Hassan Colbrith, a 23-year-old ex-con hustler. Trying to do right, but he's not patient. Trying to feed a kid is hard work so Hassan goes to the streets. The main thing worrying Hassan is stepping off like his Dad did him and his mom. Can Hassan stay clear of his father wicked ways?

As the two join you see the effect that their volatile love has on the lives of all the people directly and indirectly involved. More importantly it's the impact that it has on their future. The love they share in changes things for them both negatively and positively.

Will the good outweigh the bad in Tamlyn and Hassan's relationship?

This is a very lucid story that I am certain everyone will enjoy.

Thanks Tee-Tee for the recommendation!

Very good book and excellent debut. WYLAM is the story of two youths finding their way in life. Tammy is a young single mother and high school drop-out coping with all the responsibilities that brings. The book begins with her leaving the comforts of her mother's home to living on welfare in the projects with her daughters. Tammy has to quickly adjust to being on her own. Hassan is a drug dealer determined not to follow in his father's footsteps by walking away from his family and responsibilities. Tammy and Hassan begin a relationship, and like all, have their fair share of problems. Will both of them be able to deal with the cards which they were dealt? Will they find what they are looking for?

Don't sleep on this one. I have had the opportunity to also read Ms. Biggs second novel Backfield In Motion. I recommend them both and look forward to more in the future.

When I first picked this book out in the library in 2003, I did not think I would like it. It seemed to me to be a typical book with "baby momma drama". I am very happy to say that I was wrong. This book was excellent and I could not put it down. It's been two years later. I have reread the book and I still enjoyed it just like the first time. Undra Biggs is a wonderful writer. She does a great job of exploring each character giving you the little details that you need to help you understand and fall in love with each of them. You go through every emotion with them and in most cases can relate to their pain. I did not want this book to end. Hats off to you Undra. This is a winner!!!!

When You Look At Me is a heart wrenching story
about teenage mothers, single parent families
and drug traffic. But, it is also a story about
the survival of the fittest.

For 17 year old Tamlyn Blake, losing her virginity
and becoming a teenage mother changed the course
of her life. She left the comforts of her middle
class family home to settle in 'Domtar Court', a low
income projects. Feeling alone and afraid, Tammy
begins her journey into adulthood and becoming a
good mother for her two daughters.

Hassan Colbirth, a 23 year old ex-con and one of the
primary dealers in the 'hood', enters Tammy's life.
They touch each other's souls; but Hassan has
too much baggage and he has that God forsaken image
to maintain. Yet, he could not let Tammy go.

Another baby was the last thing Tammy needed and when
she found out Hassan's ex-girlfriend was also pregnant,
she knew she was at the end of her rope. All her
young life she wanted people to look at her and see not
just an unwed teenage mother; but a young woman with
dreams and goals that she was striving so hard to reach.
Now she no longer had the energy to care.

Ms. Biggs pulls readers into the characters lives, and
challenges us to 'feel' Tammy's and Hassan's struggle.
Readers will hold their breaths, waiting for Tammy
to finally make a decision that will bring some positive
results in her life. Though I was hoping Tammy would be
able to accomplish some things more independently, the
ending is still real and best described as bittersweet.
This was a VERY good read.

Reviewed by aNN