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God Don't Like Ugly (God Don't Like Ugly #1)

Mary Monroe (Goodreads Author)

4.3 · Rating details · 7,517 Ratings · 339 Reviews

New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe sweeps readers back to the streets, porches, and parlors of civil rights-era Ohio to bring to life the first steps of an enduring friendship between two girls from opposite sides of the track. . .

Annette Goode is a shy, awkward, overweight child with a terrible secret. Frightened and ashamed, Annette withdraws into a world of b ...more

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Paperback, 432 pages

Published December 1st 2006 by Kensington (first published September 1st 2000)

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Jan 17, 2008 Shelia rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction

Wow was this book intense! What the main character goes thru is mind boggling at times. She's learned to lie to bill collectors and run from the klan before she's 5 and at 7 she starts getting raped by a family friend. Her best friend Rhoda never seems to totally fit the story but she still plays an intricate part in helping her figure out how to get the family friend to stop. A few twists and turns. Towards the end I got really mad because for a brief moment I felt bad for the family friend but ...more

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Feb 14, 2009 Monique rated it it was ok

Shelves: on-and-on-trilogies-two-part-books

Alright so after hearing about this book from others and seeing it all over the train in the hands of young women who really looked enthralled (I find out the best books just by looking at what others read) I decided I had to read this book and well it only took three days but I didnt really enjoy it. I dont know if it was the subject matter (sexual abuse, racism, friendships, low self esteem and murder/revenge) or the fact that I just didnt like any of the characters--I stopped feeling sorry fo ...more

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Jan 05, 2012 Ama Major rated it really liked it

Shelves: african-american-fiction

I passed by this book a countless amount of times based on the title alone I was un interested. Well to make a long story short I found Mary's other book "Upper Room" at Target and fell in love with her writing style so I went to Amazon and bought a bunch of her other books this one included, I just love Annette, PeeWee, Muh'dear and even Rhoda and Scary Mary.

Mary engages you into each character but she does not force you to pick a side. She shows bad and good sides of each character even evil o ...more

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Dec 05, 2011 Raquel King rated it it was amazing

"God Don't Like Ugly" by Mary Monroe was one of the best books I've ever read. I like how the author almost gives the reader what they want. I know when I was reading it I stayed interested. Annette is the main characters name, she gets molested by brother boatright for years-someone who everyone , including her family trusted. This is the beggining to all her problems. Annette couldn't stand him, and confided to her new friend named Rhoda. Rhoda was the complete antithesis of Anette. Annette w ...more

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Oct 10, 2010 Nicki rated it really liked it

Shelves: black-lit

THIS BOOK WAS SO FRUSTRATING. But in a good way. Let me explain.

I felt really connected to Annette as a main character and I felt her frustration and pain. Some of her experiences are horrifying and it was so hard reading through these parts. I wanted to hop into the story, have a talk with Annette, and then HELP her. She was hurting so much and she became so lost. That's what made this a frustrating read for me because the entire time I just wanted Annette to reach out to someone and let them i ...more

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Oct 28, 2009 Nikki Dobbins rated it liked it

I was angry throughout the book. Not for what happened to the main character (even though it was a horrible experience) but actually mad at the character. I was mad at Annette because she never spoke out about what happened to her, only to Rhonda. She began to stand up for herself against Mr Boatwright but not enough for her to be more active in trying to stop what was happening. Ina way it was like she liked it and she began to like Mr. Boatwright. They were like companions. When it was to the ...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Chevonne rated it it was ok

The story was...good. I did however even as a teenager when I first read it become annoyed by how elementary some of the writing was. I kept wondering of the author, "Did she not have a thesarus on hand??" All the characters were all the time "gasping", or "sighing" or "hollering" or rolling their eyes or growling, moaning, groaning or whining in situations where those actions seemed uncalled for or out of place. I just wanted to scream "Use a different word!!" The dialogue wasn't all the time b ...more

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Jun 21, 2014 Brandy rated it liked it

This was one of the many books that made me wish that I could give half stars. It was definitely better than a 3 to me, but not quite a 4. I found myself laughing out loud several times, and then sympathetic and sad at others. This book touches on every emotion and brings you in for a close look into the African American culture that you might not get unless you were part of it. I have already ordered the 2nd book in the series, and I was surprised to see that there are many more as well. I'll r ...more

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Jan 14, 2017 Dorel rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is the 1st book I read Mary Monroe. This book's story line was really good. Some parts of this story made me mad. My heart broke for Annette & Florence. At times in the story I was mad at Annette. At times in the story I didn't understand Annette's action. I was mad at Annette's Muh Dear. I was happy for Rhoda, Florence, & Pee Wee. I really enjoyed the setting of this story because it gave me insight of how in was in the 1960s. This story is different from the stories I usually read ...more

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Nov 20, 2013 Dalena rated it did not like it

I hated the fact that this book chose to focus on the moral superiority of the main character. Instead of exploring the ways sex abuse, mental illness, racism, and violence affects family and community, this book chose to absolve perpetrators of all responsibility. I think this book is a perfect example of the way toxic people are protected in Black communities and families. It misses a great opportunity to discuss healthy ways to move past pain. I chose not to read the sequel.

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May 30, 2015 Nikinnia Smith rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: may-bookish-block-challenge, may-page-count-challenge

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 14, 2012 Shannon rated it did not like it

This book was SLOOOOOW and unnecessarily long. The author repeated herself, made goofs in the storyline, created characters with no depth or real emotion, and she is in dire need of a thesaurus. I don't think I will ever be able to hear the work "incredulous" again without thinking of this book. In addition, as someone who listened to the audio book I was tremendously disappointed with the performer (I guess that's what they are called) who stumbled on words and made no attempt to hide her swall ...more

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Aug 25, 2012 Nike rated it really liked it

I am always astounded by the licence and shame that comes with abuse! I am on page 203 of this book, and I find that even though its fiction it just resonates too much with stuff I read about in the papers! Annette needs to have someone who really sees her and likes her to make her feel good about herself and to know that she does not have to ut up with this?! The characters are developed enough for me to know that I don't actually like any of them, but I can actually see why tey are the way the ...more

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Dec 19, 2016 Audra rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-harder-2016, library

The Book Riot 2016 Read Harder Challenge – Read the first book in a series by a person of color
The beginning of this book was rough for me but I am so glad that I persevered. I really liked this book and will definitely read the next one in the series!

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Sep 15, 2008 Simply Stephanie. rated it really liked it

This book was AWESOME!!
It shows the true meaning of friendship
&& how only your true friends are being
honest when they say they will always be there to help you,protect you,&& love you unconditionaly.

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Sep 02, 2014 Jamal rated it really liked it

I Loved this from Beginning to end. everything from The 60's setting,To The Bizarre characters..I almost Felt like i lived in This community of richland ohio amoung All These people.....EXCELLENT story telling here

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Dec 26, 2010 Joyce added it

Like the story...but all I can say is Mr. Boatwright.....

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Jan 01, 2016 Jocelyn Boffman green rated it really liked it

Read this book many years ago, and I absolutely loved it. Great story line, and character development. I Also enjoyed all the books included in the series.

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Apr 02, 2014 Jenene rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: african-american-fiction, archived, favorites

Excellent read! Kept my interest and the flow was great. Anxious to see where life takes Annette!

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Nov 28, 2014 Deb rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction

First, this is a disturbing story. The rapes scenes were too graphic for my taste, and the length of the abuse was horrible. There were times I found myself getting frustrated with Annette for not telling anyone about the abuse, but then thought it was probably pretty realistic. This was bolstered by the apparent love and respect Boatright had among the community. Although, I admittedly had a lot of trouble understanding why that was the case, as he seems to be a vicious gossip, with very little First, this is a disturbing story. The rapes scenes were too graphic for my taste, and the length of the abuse was horrible. There were times I found myself getting frustrated with Annette for not telling anyone about the abuse, but then thought it was probably pretty realistic. This was bolstered by the apparent love and respect Boatright had among the community. Although, I admittedly had a lot of trouble understanding why that was the case, as he seems to be a vicious gossip, with very little nice to say about anyone. That being said, considering his standing, I could understand Annette's fear of not being believed. I also found myself getting angry every time Annette's mother unknowingly ordered her to do something that left her even more vulnerable to Boatright.

I think what I found most interesting about the book was the glimpse it gave me of the black community during the pre and post civil rights era. I enjoyed the fact that the time period had some relevance to the story, but at the same time, was not the focus of the story. I liked that you were able to get glimpses of the effects of racism, while still seeing that the community still existed within its own sphere separate from that racism. I have an utter lack of diversity in my background, and much of my "view" of the black community has been through literature I have read. I always find myself wondering about the accuracy of the portrayal of this community, and what changes have occurred over time.

There were times when I wished some of the characters had been flushed out a bit more. But overall, I found the story engaging, interesting and nicely paced. Generally books that invoke emotions beyond simple enjoyment or annoyance are the ones that I give more than 3 stars to. This is certainly one of those books. On the other hand, I also feel like the writing left something to be desired. The characters could have been a bit less one-dimensional. Therefore, I would rate this a 3.5 if I was able to give half star reviews. Since I can't, 4 stars it is. ...more

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Jan 06, 2012 J rated it liked it

Shelves: dekalb-county-library-has, read-in-2013

(FROM JACKET)In her richly drawn new novel, Mary Monroe brings to life the bond between two girls from opposite sides of the track-and the shattering event that changes their lives forever.

At the heart of the story is Annette Goode, a shy, awkward, overweight child who keeps a terrible secret. Mr. Boatwright, the boarder her hardworking mother has taken in, abuses her daily. Frightened and ashamed, Annette withdraws into a world of books and food.

But the summer Annette turns thirteen, somethin ...more

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Mar 08, 2013 Kimi rated it it was amazing

Interesting beginnings for this fictional/biographical God series by Mary Monroe. This southern historical story line is sad but often true for those that have suffered the fate of childhood trauma, rape, abandonment; one ultimately roots in favor of the underdog- as humans with a conscious, we don't enjoy the sufferings of others unless they had it coming.
I enjoy casually inserting character names into conversations I have with people. My two favorite names were Scary Mary and Mr. Boatwright. S ...more

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Jun 09, 2009 Michaela rated it liked it

Recommends it for: ESL students/ young adults

Shelves: esl

At the beginning this book was a real page-turner. Plus, the language is fairly easy and the chapters short. The story got interesting really fast and for some time I didn't want to put the book down.
However, the book later had some lengths - certain periods of time were just stretched out too much and it was not as interesting anymore.
The end provided closure and rounded off the book well. Interesting story, but it could have been about 80 pages shorter and would've still been nice.
I would rec ...more

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Feb 03, 2011 Jeri rated it liked it

Shelves: f-women, kindle

Story of a young black girl, terribly overweight, in the south in the 50's, starting when she and her mother are deserted by her father, escaped the south and moved to Ohio -- where they just eke an existence and the mother takes in what the girl thinks is a boarder....who from age 7 on molests her over and over again while her mother is at work...she finally meets and befriends the young girl across the street, Rhoda, the daughter of the town's undertaken and of mixed-blood not only beautiful b ...more

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Feb 24, 2012 Chyna Tucker rated it really liked it

This book really captured my attention!It had me never wanting to stop reading it! The author really puts her feeling into her writing. It had facts from the racial days and when the whites didnt get along with the blacks. They also talk about how the girls would be abused by the whites and they were treated like animals. My favorite part was when she killed the man that abused her because he deserved it. I would love to read another one of mary monroes books because they are grweat and inspirin ...more

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May 18, 2016 Michelle Lewis rated it really liked it

This was the first book of Mary Monroe's that I had picked up. It is also the first installment of the "God Series.' I mist say this book is very entertaining and keeps your attention. I can't tell how many times i've stop reading and went back to pick it back up. A couple of the chapters had me wondering if this was a true story. At certain points it sure feels that way. Mary Monroe pulls you in and will keep you there with her characters. I could not put this book down and I look forward to th ...more

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Dec 15, 2015 Jessica rated it it was ok

Shelves: book-club

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 15, 2011 Vi Khong rated it really liked it

I got this book for free and did not know anything about it until I started to read it. I had mixed feelings about this book....I felt bad for Annette, yet she annoyed me for not standing up for herself, for not telling her mother or an authority what was happening to her. I am not saying that she brought it on to herself. Clearly she was a victim from the beginning, and I can understand that she was too scared or too young at the beginning to do something about, but then she let things continue ...more

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Jul 06, 2011 Callie rated it really liked it

Despite some of its difficult subject matter (child sex abuse, addiction, poverty) and at times it left me wincing for the main character Annette and just wishing that she could free herself by telling on her perpetrator, this was a strong novel, that was both entertaining (what will happen next) and also left me thinking about a number of different things--relationships between women, the ability to overcome, and also the meaning of evil--and how both good and evil can coexist within the same p ...more

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Sep 13, 2012 Yolanda Marion rated it really liked it

Extremely solidly written book, very easy to read and follow and a definate page turner. The context of the book was cleverly arranged to never leave you with blank empty spots of confusion (you know what I mean all you book-tologist). This book will leave you with using the word beautiful in the manner in which it was meant and not just the outer cosmetics and your family gene pool assets to depend on. I have come to see more beauty in the things that are not very sightly. I have read this 3 ti ...more

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About Mary Monroe

Mary Monroe

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I am the third child of Alabama sharecroppers and the first and only member of my family to finish high school. I never attended college or any writing classes. I taught myself how to write and started writing short stories around age four. I spent the first part of my life in Alabama and Ohio and moved to Richmond, California in 1973. I have lived in Oakland since 1984.

My first novel THE UPPER RO ...more

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