What do You think about God Don't Like Ugly (2006)?
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 for Annette after the first abuse and that she continued for seven more years was too much, I thought Rhoda would be interesting but she was cliched and boring after all and even Scary Mary who was named with such promise like she would be interesting was not even worth mentioning. At the end of the book there is refererence to a sequel to possibly flesh out more of the characters and continue their lives but am I really interested? Okay so there were loose ends and I have the second book so I will read it but cant recommend it..too simplisitic, depressing and all around flat. Easy reading but nothing to suck you in..
—Monique
"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 was poor, not very attractive, or smart. After it seemed like nothing could get worse with brother boatright Annettes mother marries him. Rhoda finds out about the molestation and kills brother Boatright and before it happened she let Annette know. Annette deeply regretted it and for a short time stopped speaking to Rhoda. Before you know it a little girl in the town is missing and then killed. Annette expected that Rhoda killed the little girl too. Which she did. I find this unbelieveale and very interesting, especially because in the beginning of the story she is seen as almost perfect. I would reccomened the book to anyone, to all. I beieve that maybe this book is underated.
—Raquel King
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 recommend this book to young adults as it's a beautiful coming of age novel that deals with intense topics like sexual abuse, racism, feeling left out (the main character is black and overweight) and friendship. It would be most interesting to young girls obviously and it's definitely easy enough to be read by Oberstufe ESL (my best guess would be 6. - 8. Klasse) Definitely something to have in your classroom library.
—Michaela
