Rating: 
Summary: Loved It!
Review: I listened to the book on tape while at work. This story is eventful from beginning to end. I love the way they start off in the present and then go back to tell us how they got to that point. My opinions of people changed throughout the story as you got to know them better. The story made me laugh and cry out loud while sitting at my desk! Way to go!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I loved this book and I couldn't put it down. I was mad at first because I wanted Carmen and Chester to get together but couldn't imagine why she would choose to be unhappy for the rest of her life. I am awaiting the sequel to this one. I would love to know what became of the Carmen, Chester and the baby. I read this book in two days. I've read God Don't Like Ugly and was mad in that book because of the secrets but enjoyed it as well. Mary Monroe is an excellent writer and I've recommended this book to all my friends.
Rating:
Summary: A Terrific Read
Review: I picked up this book from a store just because the cover and title caught my eye. It turned out to be a great pick. The story line is intriguing and complex with many different layers and surprising links we don't learn about until the end. Monroe's style is easy to read. One feels like they are right there in the story. I enjoyed the book so much I was disappointed to finish it and missed the characters once I did. I enjoy Monroe's writing style and creativeness so much that I am going to purchase another one of her books titled, God Don't Like Ugly, today...
Rating:
Summary: The best book of 2002
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. I have read Mary Monroe's other two books, But Gonna Lay My Burdens down has been by far the best book I've ever read in 2002. I didn't want the book to end. And the fact that the story was set in Alabama made me relate to the storyline. Mary always seem to write about small towns.
Carmen went through so much drama with always trying to be there for everyone's problems. I'm so surprised she didn't snap out at anyone. How she kept her secrets coming really amazed me. I didn't like the Desirree character at all, she was very selfish and I would've dropped her as a friend a long time ago, especially after that arguement in the hotel room. I thought that Crazy Mimi and Sweet Jimmie were funny. I was saddened by what happened to Kitty, that was an accident that took me by surprise. I liked how Mary described Carmen's parent's as a loving black couple living in the south. I thought that stood out in the book. I was feeling sorry for Burl until I found out what he did, which was so wrong for him to do that.
I was so curious to see what Chester would've looked like in real life. Because Mary Monroe had me believing that he was foine! I think I'm going to add Ms Monroe on the list of my favorite authors. I can't wait for her next book.
Rating: 
Summary: GOOD! GOOD! GOOD!
Review: I realy enjoyed reading this book, and loved just how many turns the book took. Carmen's character was the face of so many young African American girls and women today. She carried so many secrets and so much on her shoulders that she never really got the chance to be Carmen. This book is a great read along with "God Don't Like Ugly". I must admit this author has a talent for writing and making her readers involve themselves in her characters. This book gets a thumbs up from me! Can't wait until the next one. Best of luck Mary Monroe!!!
Rating:
Summary: Friends, Family, Life all mean Burdens.
Review: Mary Monroe has captured the realistic essence of carrying heavy Burdens through your life. Carmen should have laid down the law and released the guilt and burdens she carried for so many years a long long time ago. Carmen was strong, yet very weak, she cheated herself out of happiness because of loyalty and committment to friendship and also because she was scared. sometimes you have to tell the truth, relieve your stress and accept the consequences behind your actions. Burl was a leach and had issues because of his Mother and even though Carmen was partly to blame for his accident, she was not whole heartedly the blame, Burl was intoxicated and probably would have fallen even if she had not been there and done her trick on him. Burl was vindictive because he should have told her long ago that he had remembered the day and allowed her to be there for him out of love and friendship and not guilt. Chester wasn't bad, just misunderstood and hurt, he carried around a lot of disappointment and he acted out in the wrong way especially with Desiree, he should have never gotten involved with her, because he wasn't inlove with her and she wasn't with him. This story shows reality and how people go through life accepting responsibility for actions committed as children and it effects their adulthood. All the characters in this story have significant issues that should have been handled differently, unfortunately some actions are detrimental to life. Very well written and very realistic. I don't think I could have carried around all the burdens these characters did, explosive. I love the books cover also.
Rating:
Summary: Burdens Layed Down
Review: Mary Monroe has done it again, this book was great. The characters were all very interesting and suspenseful. This book was a real page turner, once I started it I could not put it down. Mary has a great way of building characters that keep you very interested. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Burdens Layed Down
Review: Mary Monroe has done it again, this book was great. The characters were all very interesting and suspenseful. This book was a real page turner, once I started it I could not put it down. Mary has a great way of building characters that keep you very interested. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Another great one from Mary Monroe
Review: Mary Monroe has done it again. Her latest book Gonna Lay Down My
Burdens is another example of her great creative imagination. This
well written piece of art is entertaining, heartfelt, as well as
hilarious. It will keep you in suspense until the very end. Once you
read the first page, the characters come alive and keep you wanting
more.The main character, Carmen, learns life lessons through carrying
emotional draining secrets which become burdens that are just too
heavy to carry. From childhood to womanhood she carries the burdens
caused from unwise and unnecessary decisions along with lies and
secrets that have snowballed out of control. In return, these issues
enabled her to live a life that is unhealthy in all areas of
relationships. Carmen's friend Desiree is living and loving simply for the moment.
Desiree's own secrets helped her to become the free spirit person she
is. She finds strength in her friend Carmen, who feels dedicated to
carry her burdens as well. When being faced with having to run away
from all the people she loves most, due to yet another mistake,
Carmen realizes it's time to lay down the burdens and let them go and
try to put the pieces of life back together in some type of orderly
fashion. However, she was not prepared for what was to follow. This book was different from Ms. Monroe's previous two books which
dealt with mentally challenged characters. She came with a different
angle with this book allowing her readers to see the versatile style
of writing she can offer. I think she is an exceptional author. If
you have never experienced the joy her writing can bring, I advise
you not to only read this book, but also God Don't Like Ugly and the
Upper Room. Stacy Campbell APOOO BookClub
Rating:
Summary: M.Joseph
Review: Mary Monroe's powerful voice speaks volumes to her audience. She gets into the hearts and souls of her readers by creating characters that they can relate to.
Gonna Lay Down My Burdens is a novel about deception, lonliness and guilt. As the main character Carmen, determined to make amends for her cruel acts spends most of her adult life feeling obligated to a man for the pain that she caused him during their childhood. She promises herself to this man, whom she doesn't love because of her guilt. Carmen started on a journey that wasn't her own but a surprising twist of faith leads her to her true love.This book speaks of love and lost and it will take you on a journey that will leave you feelinf fulfilled.
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