A Woman's Worth

by Tracy Price-Thompson

Abeni Omorru is a stunning Kenyan woman haunted by piercing memories. Childhood trauma has left her emotionally damaged. Though Abeni takes many lovers, none come close to healing her wounded soul - only a man who understands her worth can truly claim her heart. The Black Book "A novel that will have your heart pounding... [Tracy Price-Thompson] demonstrates her writing talent with prose that makes you read a sentence twice because of its beauty."

Genres: Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Tracy Price-Thompson is the national bestselling author of the novels, Black Coffee, Chocolate Sangria, A Woman's Worth, Knockin' Boots, and Gather Together in My Name. Tracy is a highly decorated Desert Storm veteran who graduated from the Army's Infantry Officer Candidate School after more than ten years as an enlisted soldier. A Brooklyn, New York, native who has traveled extensively and lived in amazing places around the world, Tracy is a retired Army Engineer officer and Ralph Bunche graduate Fellow who holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a master's degree in Social Work.

Tracy is also the co-editor of the anthologies Other People's Skin and Proverbs for the People and composes professional literary reviews based on established elements of writing for several print sources.

Tracy lives in Hawaii with her wonderfully supportive husband and several of their six bright, beautiful, incredible children.

Reviews

[Monica **can't read fast enough** · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where you can find me:
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Twitter: @monicaisreading
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Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase

[Teaguem2005 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was the tale of Bishop "Chicken" Johnson, his African wife Abeni, and their daughter Hunnie. The author weaved an intricate pattern by taking care to delve into the soul of these characters individually before they are introduced to one another. Each character serves a purpose in this novel and we are given the who, what, where, when, and why they are who they are. Bravo to the author as far too often we aren't provided so many clues or vivid details. I highly recommend this book and its author! My only criticism relates to the book cover which fails to give an inkling about the story; also the picture inaccurately displays the characters in reverse! Should be a dark skinned woman with a light skinned man. Those descriptions are pivotal to the story

[Belindia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover of this book does it no justice. I hated for this book to end. It was such a great story, and the author did a wonderful job telling it. Do not judge this book by the cover. You will be pleasantly surprised.

[readbymonet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was slow in the beginning but after the first few chapters I was deeply engrossed in it. I couldn't put it down. I learned a lot about the culture in Africa and how they view women.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly higly recommend this book. A well written book. Grabs your attention from the beginning til the end. I read it for the first time about 5 yrs ago but read it again last month.

[Mona Grant-Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a novel!!! I LOVE THIS BOOK. The characters were so real. The story told so realistically and naturally. It is on my Top Favorite List. Bishop "Chicken" Johnson is the son of Slim Willie and Dimples. Together, they run a house of ill repute in a small rural town in Alabama. Some say Dimples was Slim Willie's first whore, but Slim Willie says, "I ain't never laid down with no ho." Slim Willie also did not believe in women being abused and would defend all of his women with his life. Bishop was raised with plenty of love from his extended family. Besides witnessing how to love a woman, Slim Willie taught Bishop to "be a man". After tragedy strikes, Bishop eventually meets Malcolm Marcus Mosiah Armsrong. They are united in friendship because both have suffered the loss of their parents. Poppa Daddy and Sugar Baby Armstrong, Malcolm's grandparents, take in Bishop and raise him as their grandson. Poppa Daddy runs a boxing gym and Bishop is a promising boxer. Poppa Daddy's life is guided by the same mantra as Slim Willie's, "be a man." He tries to instill this same mantra in to Malcom and Bishop. After a boxing match gone wrong, Bishop must leave his home again. As painful as it is for him and the Armstrongs, he joins the Peace Corps.
Abeni Omorru is the beautiful daughter of the wealthy and powerful Banjoko Omorru. There is no place in Kenya his arms won't reach. Her life has not been the same since her yreau-female circumcision. How could her father, who loves her, allow this to happen? Her mother even more so. this causes Abeni to question their love and her worth. She ceased to feel. After being molested, a kind doctor, tries to repair the damage done to her, but her life spins out of control. After a season of frenzy and promiscuity, Abeni returns home to become the obedient daughter, trying desperately to make her father and love and respect her once more. Abeni's life consists of going through the motions--no joy, no happiness, no love.
Then one day Bishop "Chicken" Johnson walks into her office.The impact is felt by both of them. They are melded body, spirit, and soul. They are truly one. Abeni has never known such joy, such happiness. What they share, is the same love Bishop witnessed between Slim Willie and Dimples and Poppa Daddy and Sugar Baby. How blessed they are. Greater joy comes with the birth of their daughter, Hundiata. Hunnie is showered with love, warmth, happiness from her parent and grandparents, and she gives back in return. Life could not be better until Banjoko announces that it is time for Hunnie's yreau (female circumcision). Both Bishop and Abeni know how this ritual impacted Abeni's life. What will it do to their beloved Hunnie?

[Nola Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly heartbreaking journey of self-love, unconditional love, and sacrifice. I cried so hard at the ending that I needed to take a break from reading anything for 2 weeks. Tracy Price-Thompson wrote a story that needed to be written. Culture and family are so important. They shape who we are, our values, and our future. But what happens if we lose our family? What happens if our culture and tradition keep us in a cycle of harm that could destroy us? Two people from opposite worlds found a love so powerful that it helped them to heal themselves. This is a beautiful and thought-provoking story.

[*~CONN!3~]

I heard this one was 5 Star juiCy................let's see, (:

[Deliah Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this novel, Tracy Price-Thompson weaves an epic tale of love, courage and sacrifice between two people from two different cultures: Bishop “Chicken” Johnson (Alabama, USA) and Abeni Omorru (Kenya, Africa). Bishop, a trained boxer flees from a troubled past to work with the Peace Corps leaving behind his “Brothaman” Malcolm and Malcolm’s grandparents ("Sugar Baby" and "Poppa Daddy" Armstrong). Abeni is psychologically scarred by the painful past of her female circumcision at the tender age of six and her reckless sexual behavior that left her feeling unloved.

When Bishop meets Abeni there is an instant connection. He sees past her pain and loves her for the woman she is. Abeni for the first time is truly happy and sees a future with Bishop without being judged for her prior sexual behavior. They get married and welcome their beautiful daughter, Hundiata aka “Hunnie” into the world.

They enjoyed many blissful years until they were summoned to Abeni’s parents’ (Banjoko and Ziwani) apartment to discuss Hunnie’s preparation for the ceremony of female mutilation at the age of five. Upon hearing this, Bishop looks to Abeni for support but none came. In that moment, he knew he had to take his daughter away and risk dying to save her from this tribal practice.

This is where the story takes a turn that makes the reader sit on the edge of their seat as Bishop navigates the streets of Kenya with Hunnie in tow trying to survive Banjoko’s reach. Banjoko is an African of “convention and tradition” and will stop at no lengths to hold the family to their tradition.

This is a well written story that invokes all your senses and takes you on a journey that will have you rooting for justice. I was definitely on Bishop’s team because I knew he would rather risk death than have his baby girl undergo this tradition. The love, courage and sacrifices made throughout the novel will have you tugging at your heart strings.

With well-developed characters and realistic descriptions of the people and places, this is a must-read novel! Two thumbs up.

Note: The cover didn’t do the book justice and is a bit misleading, but it’s a great story nonetheless.

Some of my favorite lines:

“Aw, hell. I done got you spoiled.” He would tell me, laughing as he oiled the parts between my braids or pressed my dresses for work.”

“Why are you so good to me?” I asked.

He thought for a moment, then said, “I didn’t have long with my parents, but what time we had was good. When I got out of jail, Sugar Baby and Poppa Daddy picked up the slack without missing a beat. With them I heard all about what Armstrong men did and didn’t do. What I heard most was, ‛Armstrong men take care of their women.’” He shrugged. “I’m a Johnson, and that’s a fact. Slim Willie’s blood runs hot in my veins, but maybe I’m part Armstrong now too.” His voice trailed off, and a faraway look entered his eyes. “Besides, I get to honor my mother every time I honor you.”

[Wondella Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful description of a woman's worth this book moves you through various examples of the true worth of women. I read this book years ago and loved it but could not remember the author or title. Thanks to a search of the plot here on goodreads, I was able to find it and buy it to again experience this book that I could vividly see on the big screen. I suggest Ava Duvernay or Spike Lee to direct after I write the screenplay. Price-Thompson showcases a man who lays down his life for his whores because he knows a woman's worth; a man who shows his love by painting his wife's toenails for her one last time before she has to amputate her foot due to disease; a man who seeks to protect his daughter's worth by forcing her to endure the tradition of genital mutilation in order to keep her virtue intact; a man who shows his woman what true love is by cherishing her whole being despite her genital mutilation and the shame she brought to her family; and a man who sacrifices the love of his life to save his daughter from that same genital mutilation. All these themes, the pace of the story, bringing African-Americans and Africans together, and moving across continents and cultures makes for a brilliant story and not just a love story. Please read a enjoy before this makes it to the theaters. #womenshistorymonth #internationalwomensday

[Susan Ganther · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost stopped reading this a few pages in based on the cover alone, but I’m glad I didn’t. I have no idea why the author chose the cover, it has absolutely nothing to do with the book. The story begins in Alabama, in a gambling house/whorehouse, and moves to Kenya, Africa. I was confused at first but 30 pages in things started coming together and it was an enjoyable read. I’m a sucker for books about Africa, it’s customs and it’s people, and having been to Nairobi and having spent time with the Masaii and other tribes was taken back there. The author does an excellent job describing both the Deep South and Africa. I fell in love with Bishop and Malcolm, their parents and grandparents and Abeni. Beautifully developed characters!

[Kayla Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel was a ride from beginning to end! An Alabama man falls in love with an African princess. You wouldn’t ever expect what the main conflict is over. I was taken aback at how dramatic the story is. Jaw dropped, but maybe Im just used to the fluff lol. It gave a whole lot of back story for both parties of the relationship, but I think that got in the way of being able to tell more about their relationship together. It seemed like all the details, as interesting as they were, were spent on the past and when they couldn’t be together anymore. I wish the book spent more time building their happy marriage as they did one all the unfortunate events. I’m stuck between giving 3 and 4 stars!

[Ashanti Sharice · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cool story. Some parts of the book seemed to drag out, but ultimately I thought it was a beautiful love story. After finishing the book I wondered why the author chose the cover art that she did; because I didn't find any correlation between the cover and the characters. Overall, the book was cool.

[Ms.Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mutilation of an African woman's body is sad and it's all due to cultural tribal traditions... From the act along its mentally and physically abusive.
Regardless of what Abeni's parents did to her at the tender age of 6, her soulmate Bishop who became her husband was not going to let that happen to their daughter, Hunnie...

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes you on an adventure you will not soon forget. Family and unconditional love.

[Ethel · Rating 4 out of 5]

wanted more for this book

[Annette Little-breedlove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twist and turns

Abeni and Bishop was soulmates at first sight. Bishop is truly a good man. The tradition in Africa should have never been allowed.

[Shateka Pettis · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I'll say don't judge this book by it's cover because it does it no justice & is actually incorrect for it's characters.

This was a great book. The author gave a lot of details about each character so it made it very easy to picture them and sympathize with their situations. I love how you see the great people they all grow to be despite the adversity they all face.

This book definitely leaves you wishing for more. Definitely a book I recommended.

[Dalesha R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was way better than chocolate sangria... wayyyyyy better!!!!!

[Karen Mccollin · Rating 5 out of 5]

when I first started this book it was a little slow in the beginning, but it turn out to be one hell of a book, I really enjoy learning about the character before every one came together and the way men view women in Africa wow a different view I will say, this is my favorite book I cry at the end of this book when he was reading the letter it was OMG, well done tracy Thompson

[Tramika Chatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome story!!! Couldn't put it down!! Loved it from the beginning to the end. I am sad about wjhat happened to Abeni, but overjoyed at the out come of Bishop and his daughter!! Oh how I dreamed of having a man like Bishop while reading this book. Book was so good i eneded up finishing it before I knew it!!!

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. I've have never read anything by this author before, and I was not disappointed. The story line was very exciting and I could not wait to see what was going to happen next. I would like to know what happens to the characters in the future. I will definitely be looking for more books from this author

[Daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is filled with unexpected twists and tells the ultimate story of courage, love and sacrifice. This story also focuses on the the horrible act of female circumcision and its after effects. Be prepared to be moved to tears but to also have a love for strong black men who will stop at nothing to protect their daughters. A must read for anyone.

[Tiana Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This book was full of drama! As I read, I would be hoping for the best outcome in every situation and some just seemed like they were destined to be awful. The second part of this book is very educational. I don't think a lot of people know about some traditions in other cultures that may be harmful to others. I'm really glad I read this book.

[Shelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Tracy is a good writer and storyteller. This was my 1st time reading one of her books. It was chosen as a Bookclub read. My Bookclub members and I enjoyed the book so much, that we have chosen another one of her books for our next meeting discussion.

[Amiee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read all the 5 star reviews and really expected more. This felt like 3/4 different books with the same characters. I felt like I was on a tangent for a good portion of the book because although it had the same characters, it wasn't relevant to the main story.

[My-my · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. Both Men and Women would love this book. Grabs you in from the very beginning, and take you on a wonderful ride til the last page. You will LOVE IT.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, a startling view into African culture and how women are valued and sometimes forced to preserve their value.

[LaToya Wilson]

Very good...keeps you involved

[Gloria Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracy Price-Thompson is a beginning to be one of my favorite authors.