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Dope Girl The Beginning
To understand her future we need to explore her past. In this first installment of the DOPE GIRL saga we travel back in time literally and figuratively to Longs Mississippi. Monsters aren't born they've developed. Witness the events that shaped the mind of this beautiful yet deadly girl. Experience the childhood trauma that the whole world would one day feel. Once Tywanna meets the original DOPE BOY she is forever changed. Changed for the better or worse depends on which side of her gun you find yourself on.
Watch as she morphs from sweet country girl Tywanna into street savy Cameisha. She's smart, pretty, and viscous.
She is the DOPE GIRL ...THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE KING!!
Watch as she morphs from sweet country girl Tywanna into street savy Cameisha. She's smart, pretty, and viscous.
She is the DOPE GIRL ...THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE KING!!
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2013
134 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 14, 2015
Good Read!!
This book here was real good. I wonder what happen to meisha's dad and grand dad. Will she ever meet her real dad? On to part 2!! I'm loving it.!!
This book here was real good. I wonder what happen to meisha's dad and grand dad. Will she ever meet her real dad? On to part 2!! I'm loving it.!!
September 5, 2013
I gave Sa'id Salaam's Dope Girl a good faith effort, but the story is just terrible.
I see that Salaam does not like negative ratings, so to make sure that he knows I'm writing this scathing, negative review on the basis of his writing and not his religion, I want to make sure it's very thorough.
Here are the 4 top reasons why I did not like Dope Girl:
1) It's completely misogynistic (which I do not expect from a Muslim writer, but whatever)
2) It's literary fluff
3) It's unoriginal
4) The narrator is sarcastic and shapes readers' opinions of the characters, which I think is an inane writing technique, since the narrator is supposed to provide impartial insight into the lives of the characters and readers should be allowed to form their own opinions on the characters...Salaam does a very good job at writing despicable characters, therefore, you should be able to hate them without the narrator's irritating voice
I've always heard you should never tear someone down without extending a hand to lift that person up, so here it goes: I've never read anything from Next Chapter Publishing and, while, I only made it through about 30% of the text (which is more than enough, in my opinion), the spelling or unintentional grammatical errors in the novel were not grossly irritating. This is more than I can say for most other works of urban fiction.
Dope Girl ranks alongside Man Swappers by Cairo...a dreadful book, here's my review of Man Swappers.
It's extremely bothersome to me that urban lit writers have taken to exploiting serious issues like prostitution and drug abuse to sell books. Others have written about these very serious issues, Sister Souljah, Tracy Brown, and Erica Kennedy, and achieved substantial success without relying upon writing things like the following:
"Kathy Johnson was a whore long before she had ever gotten paid for sex. As a young girl she sought out laps that paid to be sat in. She did quite well as a child and always had money for candy and treats" - So it's OK to refer to children as whores? All children sit in laps. It's part of being a child, getting treats for being nice to people is something adults learn from a very young age. Since when did this become whorish behavior?
"Over the next few months, Kathy sucked enough to put away money so that when she got out, she could hit the ground running. That's exactly what she did too, ran straight to the dopeman. The trifling girl had to pass right by her house to get to the trap-house" - What?
""I'm yo' mama," Kathy said dryly when social workers brought Tywanna home. "My Mama dead!" Tywanna shot back bitterly. "Lil' bitch I'm yo' damn mama! I'm the one who pushed your big ass head out of my pussy!"" - At this point, I'm wondering just what the hell I'm actually reading.
I don't recommend Dope Girl. If you're looking for a terrible book that is at least interesting, I recommend the most awful thing I've ever read in my life The Diamond Syndicate by Erica Hilton, here's a link to my review on that.
Dope Girl is subpar. At best. As a student of English literature and Black studies, it is imperative to me that more urban writers use their literary voices to promote change within the Black community, not condone the self-destructive behaviors instituted by the pressures of Eurocentrism.
I see that Salaam does not like negative ratings, so to make sure that he knows I'm writing this scathing, negative review on the basis of his writing and not his religion, I want to make sure it's very thorough.
Here are the 4 top reasons why I did not like Dope Girl:
1) It's completely misogynistic (which I do not expect from a Muslim writer, but whatever)
2) It's literary fluff
3) It's unoriginal
4) The narrator is sarcastic and shapes readers' opinions of the characters, which I think is an inane writing technique, since the narrator is supposed to provide impartial insight into the lives of the characters and readers should be allowed to form their own opinions on the characters...Salaam does a very good job at writing despicable characters, therefore, you should be able to hate them without the narrator's irritating voice
I've always heard you should never tear someone down without extending a hand to lift that person up, so here it goes: I've never read anything from Next Chapter Publishing and, while, I only made it through about 30% of the text (which is more than enough, in my opinion), the spelling or unintentional grammatical errors in the novel were not grossly irritating. This is more than I can say for most other works of urban fiction.
Dope Girl ranks alongside Man Swappers by Cairo...a dreadful book, here's my review of Man Swappers.
It's extremely bothersome to me that urban lit writers have taken to exploiting serious issues like prostitution and drug abuse to sell books. Others have written about these very serious issues, Sister Souljah, Tracy Brown, and Erica Kennedy, and achieved substantial success without relying upon writing things like the following:
"Kathy Johnson was a whore long before she had ever gotten paid for sex. As a young girl she sought out laps that paid to be sat in. She did quite well as a child and always had money for candy and treats" - So it's OK to refer to children as whores? All children sit in laps. It's part of being a child, getting treats for being nice to people is something adults learn from a very young age. Since when did this become whorish behavior?
"Over the next few months, Kathy sucked enough to put away money so that when she got out, she could hit the ground running. That's exactly what she did too, ran straight to the dopeman. The trifling girl had to pass right by her house to get to the trap-house" - What?
""I'm yo' mama," Kathy said dryly when social workers brought Tywanna home. "My Mama dead!" Tywanna shot back bitterly. "Lil' bitch I'm yo' damn mama! I'm the one who pushed your big ass head out of my pussy!"" - At this point, I'm wondering just what the hell I'm actually reading.
I don't recommend Dope Girl. If you're looking for a terrible book that is at least interesting, I recommend the most awful thing I've ever read in my life The Diamond Syndicate by Erica Hilton, here's a link to my review on that.
Dope Girl is subpar. At best. As a student of English literature and Black studies, it is imperative to me that more urban writers use their literary voices to promote change within the Black community, not condone the self-destructive behaviors instituted by the pressures of Eurocentrism.
June 14, 2013
I have always enjoyed Sa'id Salaam's writings and this book proved to be equally good. I read Dope Boy, Dope Boy 2 and Dope Boy 3 prior to reading Dope Girl and they are the prequels to this book. This book is sad, gritty and realistic. Tawanna went through more than anyone her age should have had to go through but it was no surprise with the drug addicted mother she was born to. She endured things that made her have he though exterior and killer instincts and with the guidance of her adopted father, grandfather and grandmother, she became survivor, hustler, and a woman all rolled into one. Transplanted from Mississippi to New York she has her country routes to fall back on while she maneuvers through the rough NY projects she was now thrust into. She loves, she loses but she wins in the end just the same. Smart in books and the streets, her journey is quite interesting and definitely entertaining!
January 11, 2016
Good book
This was a good book and I knew Crystaline or whatever her name is and Zaria wasn't going to last long it's always that one first . But this was definitely a good read I can't wait for her to meet KillA.. And that Tay boy just wanted some butt glad he got what he deserves you can tell dudes true colors after awhile or watch how they react afterwards... Ima get part 2 in a few lol...
This was a good book and I knew Crystaline or whatever her name is and Zaria wasn't going to last long it's always that one first . But this was definitely a good read I can't wait for her to meet KillA.. And that Tay boy just wanted some butt glad he got what he deserves you can tell dudes true colors after awhile or watch how they react afterwards... Ima get part 2 in a few lol...
June 9, 2018
Dope start to a series
After reading Dope Boy, I quickly started Dope Girl hoping to find out what happened to Cam but got Twanna aka Cameisha's story which was just as good. Only issue I had was the numerous errors, but overall a good story
After reading Dope Boy, I quickly started Dope Girl hoping to find out what happened to Cam but got Twanna aka Cameisha's story which was just as good. Only issue I had was the numerous errors, but overall a good story
January 11, 2018
Part 2 right now
I loved this book and loved even more that meisha finally got a solid family since her grandparents death....now it's time for part2
I loved this book and loved even more that meisha finally got a solid family since her grandparents death....now it's time for part2
September 21, 2019
Loved this book! One of my all time favorite Sa'id Salaam books to date!
May 24, 2015
Good read
It started off good and ended with questions. A country girl living reckless but actually had good parents. I don't understand how young girls get caught up trying to be grown. Have a child but refuse to take responsibility for their actions. A baby given a second chance should have learned from her past.
It started off good and ended with questions. A country girl living reckless but actually had good parents. I don't understand how young girls get caught up trying to be grown. Have a child but refuse to take responsibility for their actions. A baby given a second chance should have learned from her past.
August 17, 2015
Epic
Omg she on her way to college after being stole from n like to.n killing off folks she ready to leave behind the dope girl life n go to college. But like her daddy said once u start hustling you never real stop. It's a addiction omg can't wAit to see what kind of trouble meshia get herself into in the big A.
Omg she on her way to college after being stole from n like to.n killing off folks she ready to leave behind the dope girl life n go to college. But like her daddy said once u start hustling you never real stop. It's a addiction omg can't wAit to see what kind of trouble meshia get herself into in the big A.
January 12, 2016
i definitely enjoyed this book. heck every book i read by Sa'id Salaam i enjoyed. i always end up laughing when reading his books ... i can say he's one of my favorite authors. I need to go ahead and read part 2 and 3 so i can get part 4... Hopefully I get around to reading it.. Because I already know it's going to be good with more surprises and laughter.
May 2, 2014
I loved it
the first time I read this I was lost I felt like I was missing out on something. once I found out the correct order this book was on and popping. This fast paced book lived up to its name. can't wait to read more.
the first time I read this I was lost I felt like I was missing out on something. once I found out the correct order this book was on and popping. This fast paced book lived up to its name. can't wait to read more.
October 8, 2014
This author got Next.
The prequel was excellent. it told the story from the very beginning. So get ready to want to smack a couple of characters. you're not going to cry at many funerals. stick around and see who deserves to die and who don't. Happy Reading!
The prequel was excellent. it told the story from the very beginning. So get ready to want to smack a couple of characters. you're not going to cry at many funerals. stick around and see who deserves to die and who don't. Happy Reading!
February 7, 2016
Wow!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. Cameisha was no joke! There was drama, jealousy, action, pain, and strength all wrapped up in a riveting storyline. I definitely plan on completing this series!!!!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. Cameisha was no joke! There was drama, jealousy, action, pain, and strength all wrapped up in a riveting storyline. I definitely plan on completing this series!!!!!!
November 10, 2016
I was glad Tywanna was saved from that devastating childhood. Cam & Sr. were who she needed in her life. Loved her relationship with grandma Deidra. Good humor that only Sa'id could deliver. Great beginning.
May 8, 2013
I luved it it waz deff a dope story n Sa'id did hiz thing I can't wait for da next one i kno it'z gonna b off da hook keep up da GD work
July 10, 2013
I loved every page of this drama filled urban tale!
August 12, 2013
Loved it! Can't wait for part 2
May 17, 2016
Ok read
Like how the story start off telln how they got started as a dope girl. And I knew there friend zaria WAS up to no good
Like how the story start off telln how they got started as a dope girl. And I knew there friend zaria WAS up to no good
July 24, 2014
Lots of lessons learned for Cameisha, Good read.
May 31, 2015
Tywanna AKA Cameisha....
Good book with several more parts to it...unfortunately, I am stopping right here. I see Cameisha is going to survive a very long time in the game....
Good book with several more parts to it...unfortunately, I am stopping right here. I see Cameisha is going to survive a very long time in the game....
June 17, 2015
this was a good read
August 3, 2015
I love Sa'id salaam
Yes he has done it again it's amazing how he brings these characters to life and the realness is Completely unbelievable
Yes he has done it again it's amazing how he brings these characters to life and the realness is Completely unbelievable
August 31, 2015
Excellent read!
I enjoyed this book. This is a good read. I'm ready to read part 2. Cameisha and her girls was ruthless.
I enjoyed this book. This is a good read. I'm ready to read part 2. Cameisha and her girls was ruthless.
January 14, 2015
what a good book, some much double crossing and questioning of friends.
January 25, 2015
Love the story but to many errors
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews