Mama Don't Like Ugly

by Rekaya Gibson

Mama Don't Like Ugly takes readers on a journey of Dana Calhoun's life growing up in Nautica, Louisiana - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Her Mama, a young light-skinned pharmacist, holds the title as her number one hater, all because she dislikes her dark skin.  Regardless of her unconditional love for her Mama, she encounters a cycle of torment.

When Mama bathes Dana, she tries to scald her with hot water. She neglects her to the point where she is malnourished. She tosses her around like a doll. Out of shame, she relaxes her hair two days in row. She watches a pedophile grab her. She steals money from her just to prove a point. Once Dana challenges her, she finds Mama's hands wrapped around her neck - praying that she does not die.

These snapshots of Dana's life give insight into the abuse and neglect that she endures growing up. Still, she longs for her Mama's acceptance before she goes off to college. Will Mama finally realize that Dana is a beautiful person in spite of her dark skin or will she spew those hateful words, "Mama Don't Like Ugly!"

200 pages, Paperback

First published March 30, 2011

Reviews

[Bookbabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way to deep

s well written and detailed..I was so sad for Dana but I lo e how she stayed true to herself and didn't become mean spirted I will be looking for more books from this author

[Danita Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't believe the way this mother treated her child. However, I always say, " what comes around goes around", no matter who u r and who u treat people.

[Alicia (PrettyBrownEyeReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully told story of a child unwanted from birth. It's hard to think of a child having to endure such cruelty. Listened to the audio version and it was narrated wonderfully!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. This was my first time reading from this author, but i really enjoyed it. This author took you on such a journey from the time Dana was a baby it was great to get the first hand view of the things she was seeing and experiencing, which made the book more real. The book takes us from day one to the child is a teenager and you get to read and experience the things she does.

The mother in this book I could not STAND!! who treats their child like that and some of the things she did to her was like wow this woman should not have been allowed to have children she was just pure evil.

Though the book had a lot of rough moments it didnt have a good moral behind it... letting you know just because someone tries to stand in your way and stop you from doing great things doesnt mean that you have to fall into that you determine your own destiny!!

I really enjoyed this book and recommend others read it!

[Kei · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was cool, but it was really sad how the mother treated her daughter. She had an issue with her having darker skin and not being pretty, so she treated her like a piece of garbage. It was really upsetting to think that a mother could treat her own flesh and blood so bad. I mean, she wouldn't even buy her sanitary napkins! I was disgusted, but as always, karma came back to bite her in the behind in the end. What I liked about this book is that the daughter didn't let her mom or her sister bring her down. She still maintained her beautiful spirit and didn't allow their ugliness to penetrate her heart. In the end, she was the better person because she was the beautiful one...both inside and out! Outer beauty means NOTHING if you don't have a good heart to go with it. I wish more people would realize this fact.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Mama Don't Like Ugly" was a very good read from start to finish. We first meet main character, Dana Calhoun, as she is being born. Her mother, Tracy, is diagnosed with post partum depression soon after.From there, we travel with Dana through her mother's abuse and neglect.
This was a short read but most definitely a good one. There were a few editing problems but I enjoyed it and wouldn't mind seing where Dana's life goes from here. Hoping a seuel is in the works!

[Taylor Chelsea 411 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a page turner. It started out by telling the story from the perspective of a baby, which was different and quite unique. The storyline is based on abuse displayed on a child by the child's own biological mother. It has twists and turns that keep you reading. The author put the story together well in a great chronological order, not confusing going back in between time and also you won't get the charters confused.

[Noneya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cried. Twice!

Great, inspirational read. I loved that the main character prevailed despite having endured a lifetime of hell. There were quite a bit of editorial errors: some of them caused me to pause and re-read the particular sentence about four times, so it is only due to this that I rated this novella four stars instead of five.

[Tabatha · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW WHAT CAN I SAY??? THIS BOOK WAS A GREAT READ, MAMA DON'T LIKE UGLY!!!

[Chameka · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Grannyvango · Rating 4 out of 5]

One strange Mama

[Luetica Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Touching - An awesome Read

Dana's mom was so mean to her from birth. Dana is such a loving, caring, forgiving person. At times I wished that I were in the story.

[148fanwill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book had me laughing and crying. read it in 6 hours. Highly recommend it

[Ganelle Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book but so sad to see how a mother can hate her own child