The Ex-factor

by Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker

African American Rom/Drama

Genres: Urban

354 pages, Hardcover

First published December 26, 2006

About the author

Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker is the award winning, Essence bestselling author of Flip Side of the Game and Game Over.
She is also a contributing writer to the anthologies: Cream and Kiss The Year Goodbye.
Whitaker was awarded the Ella Baker and W.E.B. Du Bois International Award for fiction writing. Her most recent title, The Ex Factor has been featured in several magazines such as Vibe Vixen and Romantic Times Book Review as one of the hottest, sensual, and humorous tales released this year.
Whitaker lives in New Jersey with her husband and their children.

Reviews

[Antwanette]

I enjoyed this book a great deal. I must say it was one of my favorites of the books I have read this semester. The Ex Factor is a novel that tells the story of three sisters and their complicated relationships with one another and the men they “love”. One sister is still in love with her ex despite all the trouble he has gotten into and all he has put her through. She even continues to deal with abuse and mistreatment from her ex once a “better” man wants to be in her and her son’s life. The other two sisters are involved in a very dangerous love triangle with one another and one’s husband. Tu-Shonda Whitaker uses descriptive dialogue and dialect to deepen the characterization of her characters. The characters in this story are African American and it is very obvious through the specific dialect that is used in their dialogue. This is even used with the young characters in the novel such as 7 year old Jamal. The following excerpt from page 60 shows how Whitaker uses dialogue and specific detail to further develop her characters.

Jamal started to whisper. “Uncle Rief told Aunty Monica he was goin’ punch her in the face.”
“What?” Imani couldn’t belive it.
“Yeah,” Jamal continued to whisper, “you should’ve heard him, he told her, ‘I can’t even believe I was feeling you, trick.’ Then it was a lot of noise. Like the crumble, crumble, crumble, raaaahhhh. Then Aunty Monica said, ‘boy, is you crazy, Jamal is asleep in the other room.’ Then Uncle Rief said, ‘Hol’ up, shawtie, you might see me in the streets but you ‘on’t know me.’ Imani, he sound just like a rapper.”
“Jamal, stop lyin’! I already told you about lyin’ so much!”
“Imani, I ain’t lyin’, you shoulda heard him, she told him ‘My Adidas’ll walk all over your face, dawg. Punk, lazy-eye? You tryna flex? You booty-scratchin’ fart face! Yo’ breath smell like pissy eggs! And if you mess with me, I’ll knock yo’ teeth out and put ‘em back in crooked!’ Yo, that’s a wild boy, Imani!”

While reading this book I felt that I could actually hear the dialogue that they held amongst one another. The dialect gave me the impression that they were possibly characters from somewhere similar to my hometown and similar to people I actually know. The dialect and dialogue made this an easy read and held my interest throughout the entire piece. I thought Whitaker used dialect and dialogue to assist her in the characterization of her characters very well. Portions of this novel could be used to show students how the dialogue and dialect can affect the how a character is perceived by a reader. I would use caution and choose appropriate examples during a mini lesson to teach my students to use both dialogue and dialect to develop their characters.

[☺~Tina~☺]

For Mama Bryd character alone this book is worth a read. It been a while since a book has made me laugh out loud. The rest of the story is filled with drama from three sisters. Celeste is married and trying desperately to hold on to her husband who she feel is cheating. Monica is a single nurse and she is having an affair with a married man. Imani is a single parent to Jamal (who also adds comedy to the book) and is trying to hang on to Walik (Jamal's father) who she has been with for 10 years.

[Shatia]

Great book about a single parent family of 3 sisters. I enjoyed this fast paced, dramatic, surprising and humorous book. I devoured it in 2 days because it was so juicy. I loved the lesson at the end! It made it all worth it. As a woman some of us have lived through any one of the circumstances in this book.

[Saysha Wilson]

Didn't like this one at all. Too immature and silly! No substance or character development whatsoever!

[Dekia]

this book was way to funny...it could of had a dash of matureness in it tho..
recomend it to: teenagers

[Tynesha]

Man when I tell you this book had me on edge.. I mean it lol. I had to take a break a few times because I started to actually get angry. It was such a good read and I just love the way TuShonda writes. I plan on purchasing all of her books, including her books where she uses Pseudonyms.

[Sophie Sealy]

I love this book for all the wrong reasons and I want to read it all over again....................like right now!

I want to have a read out loud session................where my girls?

[Shynique McDowell]

corny jokes and too much talk for "poop" and "farts". hated it.

[S]

A great book that had me all in my feelings.

[Joiii]

I love how all of the sisters evolved at the end of the book! Awesome

[Faith]

I read this book as part of a monthly book club challenge & really enjoyed reading about the relationship drama of the three sisters and there mother. The scenes with the kids in the book will have you laughing out loud or wanting to spank them. The tension between the sisters is very real & provides plenty of drama & heartache. Very good read.

[Saleema Parker]

this book was very good to me i really liked imani's parts she was the most interesting to me. This book was about three sisters and their mom. celeste, monica, imani they all are very different to be sisters you gotta read it.

[Tamara]

I bought it but havent read it yet!

[N'TYSE]

Awesome book.

[Danielle M]

This book was hilarious, Even though the characters in the book weren't likeable it still was a good book

[Kimberly]

If you want some juicy ghetto drama this is the book for you. I think we all know someone like the characters in this book.

[Tasi]

This is a very entertaining book. Every page kept me laughing.

[Marshae]

THE BEST BOOK EVER..GREAT SISTER BETRAYEL BOOK!!

[K Nikki Waden]

I enjoyed the book had a lot of drama it all worked out at the end

[Stephanie V.wright]

Great read drama, anticipation,and hilarious. . enjoyed the book

[Jackie]

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. Not one part to me is boring, considering I'm not one who really finds reading a hobby. It is definitely one of my favorite books.

[India Smith]

Good book.

[B. King]

This book was one of a kind!! Family drama that you wouldn't expect and lots of funny moments. This book flowed well amd kept me engaged.

[Jazzmyn Kennedy]

Love love love this book!! This family makes mine look sane lol drama packed, comedic (gottta love mama bryd!!) and ended with so good advice...will definitely be reading more of her books!

[Jay]

good book....

[Shi'Asia]

This book was the perfect mix of ratchet activities and entertainment. I devoured it.

[Mamie]

good book

[Bookbabe]

This book was crazy!!!

[Kim]

Drama on every page. I loved it!!!

[Tamara]

Mama Byrd had me Rollin. Really great book.