Reminiscent of best-selling writers Toni Morrison and Alice Walker, critically acclaimed author Mary Monroe is a fresh voice in contemporary literature. In God Don't Like Ugly, she weaves a powerful tale of devastating abuse, the strength of friendship, and the burden of terrible secrets. Shy, overweight Annette Goode is only seven years old when Mr. Boatwright, a boarder in her house, begins sexually abusing her. She keeps this information to herself for years, until gorgeous, self-assured Rhoda Nelson becomes her new friend. Annette confides in Rhoda and finds the strength and courage to survive to adulthood. But Rhoda has skeletons in her closet that could doom them both.
Download and start listening now!
"This book is a true endurance story. I love the way the main character learned to accept herself and her appearance. Ugly is said to be skin deep and this book illustrates that everything that looks good ain't always good. Looks are very deceiving. There are so many aspects of this book that I don't want to get into because I feel I'll spoil it. I say read it for yourself. Good read!"
— Tiffona (4 out of 5 stars)
" This book waz really really intresting. i felt as though i waz really in da book "
— Channell2012, 2/19/2014" I read this as a young adult and loved it, but don't know if the verdict would change if I read it now as an, ahem, older adult. A parable that tells of what can happen when we are mean, ungrateful and superficial. "
— Kindra, 2/16/2014" Excellent!!! A must read! "
— Kathi, 2/7/2014" What a trainwreck of a book! "
— Jessica, 2/5/2014" A wonderfully put together book with a strong theme that I really took to heart. It's an uncensored modern classic. I know I'll be picking up the sequel. It was free on the Kindle and the sequel is only around $4! "
— Chris, 1/31/2014" The story of this book is engaging and is more than a little depressing but hard to put down. There are a few characters that a lovable and those that you love to hate. The most interesting thing to me is how the author was able to humanize a demon. "
— Ashrob123, 1/31/2014" well written but sad "
— Shila, 1/27/2014" This book was a wonderful read. The characters were really well written. She really knows how to make you feel as if you really "Know" the characters in her stories. I quite enjoyed this read and hope to read the rest of the series. "
— Nastashia, 1/21/2014" I started this book this week on a long plane ride. I got caught up in it. well written in a southern style it is a little girls perspective of life as a poor black mother/daughter around the 1950s. "
— Ann, 1/16/2014" Great Book..The story of this book is engaging and is more than a little depressing but hard to put down. There are a few characters that a lovable and those that you love to hate. The most interesting thing to me is how the author was able to humanize a demon. "
— Veronica, 1/11/2014" good book, but very disturbing "
— Jeane, 1/8/2014" Great Read. A talk out loud, laugh kinda book. "
— Nikki, 1/3/2014" The book takes you from young adulthood to adulthood and a young black girl dealing with molestation by her Mother's friend referred to as "Uncle"... How she deals with it with input from her best friend will make you more than eager to read the 2nd sequel "God Still Don't Like Ugly." "
— Hedy, 12/28/2013" This book is a must read! It kept my interest from beginning to end and truly gives meaning to the phrase and the title, God Don't Like Ugly. "
— Tiff, 12/27/2013" It was a hard subject to read about, yet I really enjoyed the book. "
— Ellen, 12/19/2013" This was an amazing book the description vivid. "
— Nicole, 12/18/2013" I listened to this one. Fantastic reader. Powerful and well written story. Great characters. "
— Laurie, 12/2/2013" My cousin gave me a box of books this series was in it. Decent read. "
— Yvonne, 10/4/2013" Humorous and entertaining from beginning to end! love all her books.. "
— Divinesisterhood, 9/25/2013" I read this book a long time ago. I remember it being quite interesting and good until it got to the end. Maybe I should re-read it... "
— Courtru, 5/14/2013" Mary Monroe's God Don't Like Ugly was quite a read...even at it's most disturbing, it made me want to keep reading, even though the writing style isn't generally one that I enjoy. "
— Sarah, 4/7/2013" I didn't expect to enjoy this book nearly as much as I did. The story reminded me a little of "Fried Green Tomatoes" in it's slightly "over the top" characters, but this added to the charm of it. "
— Rebecca, 3/27/2013" Excellent book overall. Would read again. "
— Arvetta, 7/17/2012" This book was good. The content of the book was very intense however it was right to point on how children are raped and molested all over the world. If you have not read it, I definetely recommend it! "
— Ashia, 6/13/2012" An amazing book about abuse within family and all its confusing/conflicting emotions. Dark and triumphant. "
— Katie, 1/18/2012" Well worth the time it takes to get through. A story for the heart. "
— Kevin, 11/26/2011" A very good book... "
— Phyllis, 11/7/2011" This book gets more and more and more interesting as I read along I can't put it down "
— Brazjea, 9/23/2011" Mary Monroe is a great storyteller. She's one of my favorite authors. "
— Ebony, 9/18/2011" Mary Monroe has done it again . I would highly recommend this book. "
— Nazmx3, 4/22/2011" i really enjoyed this book. like all of mary monroes books some of the writing seems a bit forced but there are so many climatic elements it keeps you reading and wanting more. "
— Vzriggins, 1/14/2011" I enjoyed the pace and rhythm of Mary Monroe's writing. Her characters are so different from anyone I know. I learn about events that happened in my own culture that aren't taught or talked about. "
— Dee, 1/8/2011" This was a really good read! I am now eagerly awaiting the arrival of its sequel to my library branch. "
— Monique, 1/4/2011" Mary Mary Mary please don't stop writing!! "
— Anna, 9/24/2010" I was so pleased to read a happy conclusion for Anette in this book. And it proves that karma will rear it's ugly head. I look forward to the next book in the series. "
— Kelley, 8/14/2010" This story really told the dark side if Rhonda. The description of her in the first installment...was a complete turn around...the woman has no heart "
— Seekina, 7/23/2010" I finished this book yesterday. Let's just say that the book tied up all the loses ends for the lead character;Annette. Happy ending for her. "
— Tamela, 6/25/2010" This book was just as good as the first. I was not disappointed at any point in this sequel. I can't wait to read the next book. "
— Toya, 6/15/2010" Beautiful story and a great way to wrap up the story of this beautifully written character that I had come to care about. "
— Karen, 6/13/2010" I really enjoyed the first book, God Don't Like Ugly. After I finished it, I needed more and purchased God Still Don't Like Ugly. I was disappointed with the second book. About 50% of it is a recap of the first one. "
— Alissa, 6/7/2010Mary Monroe is a New York Times bestselling African American fiction author. Her first novel, The Upper Room, was published in 1985. She is best known for her novel God Don’t Like Ugly, and the series revolves around the characters it first introduced.