Scan barcode
ebonyutley's review
1.0
I should have known. I don't think Angela Burt Murray's editorial's in Essence are very smart and neither was this book. It was supposed to be funny, but it trafficked in so many stereotypes, I had a hard time finding the redeeming moments. Besides that, it's not a book just a series of silly quizzes and lists. My favorite was a few of the parenting strategies and parts of the "is this your man" quiz. I wouldn't recommend that anyone buy it, but if you found it or checked it out at the library, spend 45 minutes flipping through it. If you don't know any black women of note, there are some important history moments, but frankly I didn't like having my heroines reduced to merely angry black women.
mochagirl's review
3.0
The Angry Black Woman's (ABW) Guide to Life is a tongue-in-cheek examination of black women's reactions and thoughts caused by societal and situational frustrations. Weighing in at about 160 pages, it covers a variety of topics (some better than others) in a variety of forms. It opens with a multiple-choice quiz to allow readers to determine their ABW type. The three categories of results align with personality types of both fictional and real women; examples are Mo'Nique/Aunt Esther, Diana Ross/Bernadine (Waiting to Exhale), and Claire Huxtable/Condoleezza Rice.
The book continues along this path and highlights a variety of situations ranging from career (managers and coworkers), interpersonal relationships (men and children), and even analogies with angry white women. Filled with quizzes, lists, and scenarios, it fancies itself as an `in-your-face, no holds barred' synopsis of why black women are angry, what drives them crazy and comedic tips for coping with the madness that ensues.
Of course, one should always tread lightly on race relations - dealing with generalities and stereotypes should be handled with care for obvious reasons. It cannot be argued that the authors took some liberties with their poetic license, because I personally did not find humor in every chapter; thus the middle of the road rating. The book offers a break from the normalcy found in today's contemporary fiction and if read with the right attitude a smile, laugh, or a nod in agreement can be gained.
The book continues along this path and highlights a variety of situations ranging from career (managers and coworkers), interpersonal relationships (men and children), and even analogies with angry white women. Filled with quizzes, lists, and scenarios, it fancies itself as an `in-your-face, no holds barred' synopsis of why black women are angry, what drives them crazy and comedic tips for coping with the madness that ensues.
Of course, one should always tread lightly on race relations - dealing with generalities and stereotypes should be handled with care for obvious reasons. It cannot be argued that the authors took some liberties with their poetic license, because I personally did not find humor in every chapter; thus the middle of the road rating. The book offers a break from the normalcy found in today's contemporary fiction and if read with the right attitude a smile, laugh, or a nod in agreement can be gained.
More...