Customer Reviews

A Woman's Worth: A Novel (Strivers Row)

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Date Reviewed: February 22, 2004

Prostitution and female circumcision are juxtaposed in a plot that on the most basic level can be summarized as a love story. The book opens with a series of colorful, yet emotional scenes that introduce Bishop "Chicken" Johnson. At the story's opening, Bishop is a young boy living with his parents "Slim Willie" and "Dimples" in the whorehouse that they run in Birdtown, Alabama. Growing up in a whorehouse meant that Bishop was exposed to a lot more than the average child his age, but the familial relationships he shared with the prostitutes working out of his home, his father's protectiveness of ALL the women in his house, and his parent's special relationship taught him important lessons that would carry him throughout his life.

In Kenya, Abeni is the only daughter of a powerful Kenyan man. As part of their tribal tradition she is forced to undergo a female circumcision at a young age. The ritual not only leaves her physically mutilated, but also emotionally scarred. As she grows up, Abeni must endure many painful experiences including sexual abuse, and ultimately social isolation. But her life is forever changed when she meets Bishop, who ends up in Kenya working with the Peace Corps. Although the two have completely different backgrounds they both carry the luggage of a painful past. They marry and it seems that their love for one another helps both of them heal; that is until their own daughter has reached the age at which she should be circumcised. It is at this point that Bishop and Abeni must decide for themselves what a woman's worth is and make some difficult decisions.

A WOMAN'S WORTH is not meant to be a quick read; instead it should be savored and absorbed. It is like comparing an extra value meal to a classy steak dinner, both can ease the hunger pangs but in completely different ways. Tracy's characters don't jump off the page, they sneak into your heart and the result is an unforgettable read. This book will make you question what it means to be a man and what it means to be a woman. Themes of sexuality, race, gender and love are presented in a way that is not preachy but force you to re-examine your own values. Pay close attention because every word and every sub-plot fits together to form an intricate puzzle which the author puts together piece by piece until you reach the book's dramatic conclusion. I was thoroughly impressed by her attention to even the slightest details regarding both characters and plot. Before reading this book, prepare yourself for the stirring and emotional ride that is sure to follow.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

An emotionally charged love story!
The characters pull you in and hold you. Their story will move you so deep you'll have a lump in your throat.
Tracy writes a vivid story of two people, two outcast who find love. Abeni is haunted by the memory of her circumcision- at age five. You will be haunted by the vividness as you read it. Emotionally scarred she becomes promiscuous to shame her powerful father. She becomes numb, no lover can make her feel or open her heart until Bishop "chicken" a boxer who is also numb to life after the murder of his parents. You'll smile at their courtship and be glad they found love and were blessed with a daughter they call Hunnie. When Hunnie turns five Abeni's father demands she be circumcised and Abeni's father is no man to mess with. His wealth and power make him deadly. Bishop goes wild and Abeni is torn. If Hunnie doesn't have the ritual not only will it shame Abeni's family but no man in Africa will ever marry her. Bishop will not have his daughter traumatized or shamed like his wife and he decides to move his family to the United States. Starting With Hunnie. Bishop and Hunnie run for their lives trying to flee Africa with Abeni's father and his men hot on their trail. From this point on you will have white knuckles from gripping the book so tight and you'll be praying that they make it out. The last chapters are emotional. At the end you'll shed a tear.
A powerful story of sacrifice. Emotionally charged. Heartbreaking.

reviewed by:
Dawn

In a woman's worth we are first introduced to Slim Willie, a man who runs a "whorehouse" and his son Chicken. Slim Willie was a powerful man who wasn't afraid and would die for his wife, Dimples who was blacker than midnight and was loved dearly by Slim. After a big break-in, Chicken moves to Alabama and it taken in by an elderly man named Poppa Daddy and his grandson Malcolm who took him in and let him practice his greatest talent, boxing. After beating a white boy badly, Chicken has to move again and joined the peacecorps where he met Abeni, a beautiful woman scarred by the female circumsion that is custom in her country and her past of being promiscous and letting men use her. The story then turns into a poetic romance that is beautiful, inspiring, and has a big turn of events that will make it like a thriller in the end.The way that Chicken accepted all of Abeni and didn't judge her made him a example for a lot of relationships.This is a MUST READ and must nto be looked over. I didn't not give all of the details of Chicken's departures so as nto to give away the book so go and buy it right now!!!

I put everything on this. You will LOVE this book.

Tracy Price Thompson never fails to BRING IT. Get her book "Black Coffee" too.

A must read!!! This isn't your typical romance novel. It explores the worth of a woman - one, an adult; the other - a child. This emotionally charged book will have you crying, cheering, gripping your knuckles until they turn white and feeling every possible emotion when true love is involved. This book will make you reflect on what's really important in life and what's not. Oh, that all men everywhere would love the women in their lives with the same passion and intensity as the central character, Bishop. This novel certainly proves that there are still good men out there.

Tracy Price Thompson's latest work of genius, A Woman's Worth, is a captivating tale of what heights and lengths one will go to and through to protect their own. From what seems barbaric to one culture and quite normal to another is brilliantly portrayed in this work. I can't go into detail without giving away a tantalizing bit. You cannot truly have a library of great works without adding this novel to sit comfortably by the likes of Alice Walker, Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou.

Tracy Price Thompson is a writer that just seems to get better and apparently challenges herself with each effort.

Bishop "Chicken" Johnson is an amateur boxer born to prostitute Dimples and her beloved pimp, Slim Willie. When both are killed in a burglary, Bishop does time for killing one of the perpetrators. Upon his release, he spends some time with hated Uncle Ike, until he is rescued by a loving elderly couple who are raising their grandson Malcolm. Malcolm and Bishop quickly become as close as brothers, while Poppa Daddy and Bishop share a love for boxing...and Poppa Daddy begins to cultivate Bishop's amazing natural talent. However, this is still rural Alabama, and when Chicken goes up again the town troublemaker in the ring who happens to be white and gives him a long overdue beatdown, trouble ensues. At Poppa Daddy's urging and with the help of the town sheriff, Bishop leaves town and joins the Peace Corps...and begins a new life overseas. In Kenya, Bishop meets a beautiful African woman named Abeni, who has had a troubled life of her own. The two fall in love, and have a daughter that they name Hundiata; and it is not long before the childhood demons that haunt Abeni come calling, this time for their beloved Hunni. Bishop must then make one of the most difficult choices of his life.

This was truly one of the best books that I have ever read, and I would recommend it to all.



DYB

THIS WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY BOOK. I REALLY ENJOYED READING IT. ITS NOT YOUR AVERAGE HOOD TALE. IF YOU HAVE NEVER READ THIS, YOU ARE DEFINETLY MISSING OUT. DONT MISS OUT!!

This novel was great from cover to cover. I'm a sucker for a love story and Ms. Price-Thompson DID NOT disappoint me. I love to read about how the men in her novels love their women to distraction. The style of Ms. Price-Thompson's writing is so vivid, it's like you can really see the love that Bishop had for his Abeni. The way that she(Price-Thompson), describes Kenya...hey I gotta go visit. Malcolm and Poppa Daddy are class acts in my book. Banjoko's sense of Kenyan tradition was down right scary. Bishop is a rare and unique human being, the way that he pampered his "Silk", bathed her, ironed her dresses for work, greased her scalp, and.....polished her toenails! But THE most special part of the novel was the love he had for his daughter.....PRICELESS. Ms. Price-Thompson, I'm a fan for life.

Tracy Price-Thompson has written YET another winner !!! The story is excellent and will have you turning the pages to see what is going to happen next. In fact I must issue a warning to be fair. If you have a busy day and want to get things done, this is not the book you want to start reading. I could not put it down. The reviews above give you the storyline and they are right on point. Now all YOU have to do is get this book and you'll be writing or telling someone they need to read this book as well. Keep these wonderful books coming Tracy..!!

I'm not the type of person to read a great novel in 1-3 days. When a book is really well written and thought provoking such as A WOMAN'S WORTH it can take me at least a week to finish reading it. It took me about 10 days to read Tracy Price-Thompson's latest (and maybe her greatest) piece of work. I did not want it to end!! It was just that good! When you read it take your time and take notes!