Too Beautiful for Words

Rating:
Summary: Classic
Review: I agree that this is an instant classic. It is a must read. It had me crying, mad, happy, and on edge. All of the characters were well developed, and I enjoyed reading about all of them. Definitely one to recommend to others.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Read
Review: I can tell you that this book does not disappoint.

I just finished Ms. Morris's book and the voices are still ringing in my head. Their rhythm, cadence, and slang are truer than any I can remember reading, and I can only imagine another of this author's books surpassing it.

The characters are beautifully flawed, beautifully passionate, and impossible to truly pigeon-hole as...activist, "chip off the 'ol block", or, for that matter, predator or victim. It is intelligently written and humbly presented, allowing the characters to BE the story. From the first page to the last you see the textures of these characters and you follow them through this journey, all the while realizing that they, and not the scenario, are what make you flip the page (I would be as enthralled with Jason at 70 as I was with him at 6 and 21).

"Too Beautiful for Words" brilliantly captures our inability to choose whom we love, and yet, our ability to ultimately choose our lives (for better or worse). It is a testament to our complexity as people and the ways in which we all see ourselves and each other for what we are and choose to love anyway.

Monique W. Morris, you have a fan for life. I will sieze your next book before the ink has dried.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiration
Review: I havent read this book but i am very interested.
If you have read the book and enjoyed it then i urge you to listen to the song "Me & Jesus the Pimp in a '79 Granada last night" by The Coup,from the album "Steal This Album".Its a hip-hop/rap song but The Coup is an Oakland based Political group.Boots Riley (The Coup) wrote and performed the song and if your wondering what this has to do with the book,this is the song that inspired the book.Even if you dont like rap you will like this song.You'll also see where Morris got the title "Too Beautiful For Words".

Rating:
Summary: Inspiration
Review: I want to applaude the author Monique W. Morris, who provided an indept look into prositution and criminal activity in Oakland, California. I live in San Francisco, and know first hand the ills and effects of prositution on single black females in the Bay Area. The book covered points such as the effects of genertional influences and the negative programming of young black males to become pimps, and the lack of personal control affecting young black and latina girls in the region. Morris, keep up the good work.

Rating:
Summary: Too Beautiful
Review: This book is an instant classic. A beautifully written tale of the struggle of underadvantaged urban life. The story is inspired by an equally well written song, by Boots Riley and the Coup, "Me and Jesus the Pimp in a '79 Grenada Last Night." If you liked the book, you should definitely check out the song, it is on either the album "Steal This Album" or on "Steal This Double Album." Its like this novel in poetry instead of prose.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: Too Beautiful For Words is a beautiful written story about Peaches, Jesus and Jason that has a strong message about pimps drugs and prostitution. Great job Ms. Morris looking forward to your next novel.

Rating:
Summary: Too Beautiful for Words---a review
Review: Too beautiful for Words is a brilliant demonstration of an empowered character that is a product of his mother's oppression, another woman's education and love for her people, and his father's influence as a highly respected man in their community. The reader experiences the critical changing moment in Jason's life, whose choices have the power to impact his family's future and change the cyclical patterns. The book celebrates the very important need for choice, education, and truth. Because of the circumstances that lead characters where they are in life, we are engaged to confront our very own human needs for love, respect, honor, and family without judgement. The author puts a face on the very many issues that trouble us today, with an indirect discussion of concepts including systemic oppression, domestic violence, criminalization and labeling of youth, failures of our educational system, teen pregnancy, prison culture, etc. which need more attention. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to be challenged to think beyond the paradigms of the characters and look for a way to get our children to believe that their lives are...too beautiful for words.

Rating:
Summary: It's Not a Pretty Picture!
Review: Too Beautiful For Words is a well-written, riveting and poignant debut novel from Monique W. Morris.

The storyline opens in the late 60s/early 70s; Morris introduces us to the streets of Oakland where prostitutes, pimps and drug dealers roam from sunrise to sunrise. On a bright, sunny day, Peaches, a young impressionable teenager meets up with the likes of Jesus, a well known pimp. Longing for attention, Peaches, mistakenly believes that Jesus loves her but in reality he turns her out sexually and then puts her on the streets as his #1 prostitute. When Peaches becomes pregnant with Jesus' child she seeks a better life for herself and her young son, Jason. Unfortunately, trying to get away from Jesus would cause her more than she ever suspected. Young Jason watches what happens to his mom and subconsciously he stores it in his memory bank until a later date when Jesus will have to pay up for the havoc he invoked years before.

Too Beautiful For Words is a sad, devastating and heart-wrenching story about what happens when you're in the fast lane, running with the big dogs, in the mean inner-city streets. A common theme running throughout the story is "Love Don't Love Nobody" not even blood relatives. Morris presents a raw and realistic look at what happens in the underground world of pimps, prostitutes, lascivious sexual escapades and drugs. Morris' character development is excellent as she gives us characters that make us cry, others that fill us with hate and yet others who make us think. One of those characters who made us think was Chinaka, a former Black Panther who had befriended Peaches. Just as Chinaka tried to rescue Peaches, 20 years later she sets her sights on Jason, who is looking to get into the family business. Will Chinaka have too little to offer too late or will she be successful in breaking the vicious cycle that threatens to take Jason to an early grave?

It's been a few weeks since I read this book...but it seems like only yesterday. This is a book that stays with you long after you've finished the last page. If you're looking for a compassionate read with a strong message then check out Too Beautiful For Words by Monique W. Morris.

Rating:
Summary: DEEP - MOTIVATING STORY
Review: Too beautiful for words was a very good book with a very important message. This book brings up several topics that are of importance to the black community. I gave this book 3 stars because of the unnecssary rambling of each character but the storyline was great and a necessary read for young adults! I look forward to reading many more books from this author.