"God Don't Like Ugly" by Mary Monroe

“God Don’t Like Ugly” is a true classic to some avid readers, and the first time I read this, I may have been maybe 12 or 13 years old. My mom is a big reader, and never had an issue with me reading majority of the books that she had around the house, along with whatever books I got from book stores and libraries. This particular book was another that she had no issue with me reading- but I will say there’s a huge difference in reading this at 12 years old and not knowing as much about the world and life issues, compared to now reading it at 27 years old, and having a little bit more experience.

In this book, Mary Monroe tackles issues that are still prominent in today’s world; race, class, poverty, murder, friendship, and even rape. Without giving too much away for those who haven’t yet read this novel… let’s discuss one of the main things mentioned throughout!

The story is told from the viewpoint of the main character Annette- and starts from the beginning, when she was a small child and goes all the way through her journey as a young girl into a grown woman, and the various events that take place in her life- one being her mom suddenly taking in an old man, Mr. Boatwright, in their home and allowing him to live with them. One thing I really do like about what Monroe did with the character Mr. Boatwright, is she showed him to the reader from both angles; the pleasant old man who was adored by his neighbors and church family, and was an extreme help to Annette and her mother- but also the lost, yet perverted old man who molested and raped Annette from the age of six years old until she was well into her teenage years. With the help of her friend Rhoda though, Annette was able to see the end of the physical terror from Mr. Boatwright, or “Buttwright” as Rhoda called him. I specifically say “physical terror” because many victims don’t see an end completely; the trauma still affects them mentally, emotionally, etc- for many years to come, and sometimes it never completely ends. I like the different angles shown, because a lot of victims of rape see their rapist from strictly the angle of just that- their rapist; a monster, a creep, a constant nightmare. But that same person may appear to others as a saint, a pleasant person to be around, whom others couldn’t imagine doing such vile acts.

Reading this book at 12, though I was fairly advanced in my reading and comprehension- it’s just no way that I would be able to understand events like this, and grasp them the same way that I’m able to now. It’s an intense and touchy subject- but I appreciate the fact that the author didn’t shy away from the reality of what happens, and didn’t water it down. Rape and molestation is horrific, and nothing about it is pretty.

There are scenes in the book that are tough to read, where at times I had to set it down for a couple of hours, and come back to it, but it’s real life, and again I appreciate the author for sticking to the reality… Though there are intense topics- there are pleasant moments in the book where you’re rooting for the characters and happy to read the outcome, as well as those where you’re just momentarily sitting in disbelief. For those who haven’t read this book- I definitely recommend it, especially for book clubs or “books of the month.” There are many key points for great discussion, and it also opens the floor for those who may just want to discuss the topics in general. -Nina Michelle