Shame on It All

by Zane

If you have ever observed the behavior of a close friend or family member and wanted to scream out "Shame on you!" then Shame On It All is the novel for you.
Harmony, Bryce and Lucinda a.k.a. Lucky Whitfield are sisters in the truest sense of the word. They argue and they get on each other's nerves but when it comes down to the wire, they are extremely protective of one another.
Shame On It All is a dramady about their adventures, their friendships, their love lives, and their outlooks on situations facing the majority of African-American women in today's society.
Jam-packed with unpredictable, unbelievable, and just downright crazy situations with a few surprising twists thrown in for good measure, Shame On It All is as wild as they come.
At a time when much of African American fiction has fallen into formulas and mediocrity, Zane has lifted the bar of literary standards again with this insightful, often hilarious work, which showcases her talent for satire, irony, penetrating analysis and downright hijinks. The sista can write! This book is a complete departure from her earlier efforts and one that should bring her the notoriety she so deserves. If you loved Addicted, then Shame On It All will give you a whole different view of this woman's immense talent.

Genres: Erotica, African American, Romance, Urban, Fiction, Adult Fiction, Sexuality

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Zane is the New York Times bestselling author of Afterburn, The Heat Seekers, Dear G-Spot, Gettin’ Buck Wild, The Hot Box, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Nervous, Skyscraper, Love is Never Painless, Shame on It All, and The Sisters of APF; the ebook short stories “I’ll be Home for Christmas” and “Everything Fades Away”; and editor for the Flava anthology series, including Z-Rated and Busy Bodies. Her TV series, Zane’s Sex Chronicles, and The Jump Off are featured on Cinemax, and her bestselling novel Addicted is a major motion picture with Lionsgate Films. She is the publisher of Strebor Books, an imprint of Atria Books/Simon & Schuster. Visit her online at EroticaNoir.com. - See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Z...

Reviews

[Tim Haslett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this from a friend as a birthday present and it confirmed once again that people underestimate Zane. You'll hear plenty of folks say she's the best writer of straight black women's erotica, or black erotica, or women's erotica. Thing is, she's just the best writer of erotica period.

Her literary style inaugurates an entirely new genre. Her craft is such that she truly develops her characters and turns up the heat at the same time.

I think it is important to state that I write this from the perspective of one white, straight, male

Another unique things about Zane is that she writes about black women who are able to enjoy great sex but they are never portrayed in a stereotypical, racist, sexist manner. In her writing, you just don't find a "ho" or "b****" or any other degrading representation of black women's complex sexualities. I maybe highly presumptuous in saying this, but Zane's rich imagination wants to find that space where black women can explore sex, explore their own erotic feelings, sensations, and fantasies, especially in relation to how Audre Lorde defines eros, and without guilt, condemnation, and without being called abusive, degrading names by all manner of people, and called ugly things by the media.

There is something very liberating about her books in that way. And really, in how many parts of American culture, whether movies, television, etc., can you find her kind of depiction of black women, one that suggests a (measure) of freedom from the tangle of racism and sexism.

I can only find one fault with this book and some of Zane's other stories and novels and that is that they are unbendingly straight. And I don't believe that's a failure of imagination on Zane's part. She's no homophobe, but it would be great to see LGBTQ folks populate her writing from time to time.

[Sharmaine Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I thought it was a good book. She totally could have left out all of the stuff about the midgets, Niagra, and weave (the "commercials"). I thought it was kinda stupid, especially the prolonged "midget" situation. If it weren't for all of that, I would have given it 4 stars instead of 3. The slang/lingo was also a little annoying to me, but I'm sure that's just because it's dated. No one says "bomb diggity" and stuff like that anymore, but terms like that were on overload in this book. But I did read it rather quickly, which says something! It's definitely interesting/intriguing.

[Margie Cobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!!

This book is funny, sad, and funny again. The Whitfield girls is the true epiphany of family. Their daddy Chester is hilarious!! You will enjoy this urban fiction on every level. I rate this book five stars.

[Hadiyah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess it won't be long before we'll see a movie adaptation of this book. it's ok but ... i think some of the stuff was overboard.

[Reshemah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My emotions was all over the place in this book. I was laughing one minute, mad the next, then crying like a big baby. This is one of the best books I have read by Zane. I thought she was going to disappoint me in the end but she came through for me. You know you are reading a good book when you don't care who is around and you laugh out loud at a book or you get to a sad part and tears are running down your face. Overall this book was one hilarious moment after the other. There are some phrases from this book that I think will stay with me for years to come. My favorite being, "Holy Mother Ex-Lax, you might be right Batman!" LOL. If you want to read something that will make you laugh and cry, this is the book for you.

[Nandi Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story about the sexually liberated Whitfield Sisters make a good read and kind of keeps you on the seat, but what gets me cracking up and surely need their own stories is the commercials that are at the end of some of the chapters. Hilarious, laugh out loud funny.

[Tameka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly this isnt one of Zanes best books Ive read 5 before this one and they were all better(Addicted, Afterburn, Total Eclipse etc.). The first 100 pages of this book put me to sleep, but after I got through it the book became very entertaining; I laughed alot while reading this.

[Eden · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was ok not as good as her other ones. i just think the older sister was like super dumb.

[Varrsity · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had a pretty good story line

[Alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haha, this was interesting. I was begged to read it by one of the guys in the kitchen. Love you Sugarbear!

[Danita Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nother good read.

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shame On it All was hilarious from the beginning to the very end. The story begins with three sisters that you don't want to mess with. Even though they disagree with one another they love each other and there isn't anything they wouldn't do for one another. The commercial breaks were somewhat distracting and did take away from the book but there weren't too bad because they were funny too!!!
For those people out there who don't like erotica or profanity I suggest you don't even think about buying this book cause you will be knocked off your feet...for those that can hang then buy this book because you will not be disappointed.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. I like Zane as a speaker, I like what she's doing with her books, and the boundaries she pushing in fiction. Part of it is that I read mostly for character and I didn't care about any of her characters. The only one I came close to really being interested in was Harmony and I didn't feel like I got to know her very well. Also, I had heard how erotic her writing was and I didn't find it erotic or even sexy.

But, I want to give another one of her books a try. I'm interested in Zane as a writer and so I want to see what else she does.

[Now, if I could just get paid for Reading... · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Shame on it All" a funny yet serious at times story about siblings and the crazy S&^T they go through. Once you get to about the third chapter or so you will not be able to put it down. Between the midgets and the man sitting on the stool!!!! (boy o boy!!) you will wonder how Zane comes up with some of this stuff?! And you just hope that most of what she is writing about is totally fabricated!
10-17-2008

[Tally · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a good plot but I didn't like the little "ads" that came through the book. Some chapters even seemed a bit unnecessary and their only point was for a laugh or two. Some of the descriptions in those chapters were extra-over exaggerating. It got especially annoying on the midgets part. The overall story was decent though. Nothing too special. This book didn't wow me. The only reason why I kept reading it was to figure out what was wrong with Harmony.

[Debi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. It started off so slow and it was difficult for me to keep reading. It started to pick up about 150 pages in and was broken into 5 parts. The most annoying part of the book was that in between each part Zane had these fake ads that really were meant to be funny but they just weren't funny at all. The ending was great though! It definitely went the way that I wanted it to go. I'm happy I read the book but I won't read it again.

[Honeycarmel · Rating 1 out of 5]

WoW!! These women are pretty raunchy. And kinda disrespectful to each other. I have to thank my sister for not talking to me in the manner they speak to each other....

Well, I finally finished read it from Dec 2008 to April 2010. LOL that is really sad. The author touched on some serious topics but spent too much energy trying to be ghetto and hoochie.

[Vatyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this was a decent book. I laughed a lot and was almost moved to tears. I found a few flaws in the story, but none that merit the book being removed from the shelves and burned. The familial bond of the characters is what made me want to keep reading. I hope to experience that kind of familial bond before I die.

[Maya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seriously, I just think urban fiction isn't my thing. If I didn't know that Zane was huge for African American erotica, then I would think that this was just making fun of African Americans. Seriously. It was BAD. And to top it off, there definitely wasn't enough sex to call it erotica - mouthy, yes, but definitely not much description of the sex at all.

[Lmackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great book about sisterhood. How no matter what you are going threw in life you can always depend on your sister. Building relationships with your family is important. We need to get those positive family relationships back.

[Alysia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, jaw dropping uncomfortable moments, BUT a little over the top. More for shock value than anything. With that said, it gave my sister and I A LOT to talk about during our Saturday morning discussions!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finish reading this book I must say I am a Zane fan and I must say this book made me laugh out loud!!! It is a fun read!!! A different writing style for Ms. Zane but good. A fast read never the less!!!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good.

[Shauna · Rating 1 out of 5]

A bit boring, especially after reading Addicted and Nervous.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a crazy 6ut real ass 6ook

[Punkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow is all i can say mandigo..a great book zane keep up the great work..

[Tracy Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could be better, I loved the sex and the book was good but it made blacks look really bad and I found it kind of racist the way they were portrayed as slutty and they way they spoke.

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious & Scandalous!

[Jaxiin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zane never disappoints, and Shame On It All was no exception! This book had me laughing out loud while fully invested in the sisterhood and the unbreakable bond between these women. Their banter felt so familiar, entertaining, and real—like listening to your own girlfriends go back and forth.

I’ve been reading Zane since way before I was supposed to (middle school, anyone? 😂), and her pen game when it comes to sexual liberation remains top-tier. She always delivers stories that are bold, hilarious, and unapologetically Zane.

If you love messy drama, strong sisterhood, and a book that keeps you entertained from start to finish, Shame On It All is a must-read!

🔥 Funny. Sexy. Unfiltered. 🔥

[Naomi Matthews]

This book was a reality show on paper. It gave me all the vibes a reality show would. I was engrossed in this book like these characters were real. The BBQ party scene was the funniest. I did not expect one of the protagonists to get down like that. The way these women lives were presented was as if they had their stuff together. In reality they did, but because the heart can make us look like fools sometimes the title of the book is fitting.