Official Review: Cry Baby Cry or Not by DeWandus Johnson

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Mbrooks2518
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Re: Official Review: Cry Baby Cry or Not by DeWandus Johnson

Post by Mbrooks2518 »

I don't like to read books with graphic descriptions of sexual abuse, so I would pass on this book for that alone. Adding in the myriad of other problems, sounds like this book needs a serious rewrite.
Thanks for the detailed and thorough review!
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gen_g
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Post by gen_g »

Dolor wrote: 04 Apr 2019, 07:58
Firstly, readers please be warned: there are numerous explicit descriptions of and references to highly sensitive issues in this novel, such as child pornography, prostitution, rape, torture, drug use, assault, and gun violence. Whilst I usually do not shy away from such books, said issues seem to be included only for the shock factor, even if Johnson has stated that his desire is to “provide unfiltered mental visuals and testimonies about the untold truths of the ghettos of America”. Whilst I can understand this desire, Cry Baby Cry…or Not is unfortunately a story that does not provoke much thought. In other words, Johnson has sadly spent neither time nor effort to explore these sensitive topics in his book in order to raise worthy questions for discussion.
These sentences give me clues about the entire contents in this book. The themes are dark. Though I am not a squeamish reader, I will pick other books to read. Thanks for the honest review.
It's definitely an emotional read. Thanks for stopping by!
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gen_g
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Post by gen_g »

Cotwani wrote: 04 Apr 2019, 11:28 Must have been hard to get through this one. The author should develop some sensitivity when tackling such dark themes. Thanks for the honest review.
Definitely - the book could do with more editing as well. Thanks for stopping by!
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gen_g
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Post by gen_g »

Mbrooks2518 wrote: 04 Apr 2019, 17:25 I don't like to read books with graphic descriptions of sexual abuse, so I would pass on this book for that alone. Adding in the myriad of other problems, sounds like this book needs a serious rewrite.
Thanks for the detailed and thorough review!
Thanks for stopping by! There are certainly many issues raised in this book, but it's a pity that the issues were not explored for depth.
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kislany
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Post by kislany »

This is so much something that I will not want to read. I really congratulate you for sticking with it. A wonderful review (despite the rating), as usual.
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Post by gen_g »

kislany wrote: 06 Apr 2019, 15:51 This is so much something that I will not want to read. I really congratulate you for sticking with it. A wonderful review (despite the rating), as usual.
Thank you for stopping by! It was disappointing, so I hope that the author will do the necessary editing.
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Post by Dragonfly6 »

This book was one I was interested in reading, but I am so relieved I read your review first! Thank you for enduring what appears to have been, at best, an unpleasant read. I surmise from your review that your concern over the objectification and sexualization of women is because it is coming from the author's point of view and not simply stating that the situations in which the girls find themselves are objectifying and sexualizing them. That is immensely disturbing in addition to the already volatile and upsetting topics being covered in the book.

Your description of being disappointed by this book is how I feel about the missed opportunity the author had when trying to write this story, but missing the mark. Having typos, grammatical and continuity errors in addition to the offensive material makes this book a hard pass on my list. Thank you for your thorough review!
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gen_g
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Post by gen_g »

Dragonfly6 wrote: 07 Apr 2019, 21:40 This book was one I was interested in reading, but I am so relieved I read your review first! Thank you for enduring what appears to have been, at best, an unpleasant read. I surmise from your review that your concern over the objectification and sexualization of women is because it is coming from the author's point of view and not simply stating that the situations in which the girls find themselves are objectifying and sexualizing them. That is immensely disturbing in addition to the already volatile and upsetting topics being covered in the book.

Your description of being disappointed by this book is how I feel about the missed opportunity the author had when trying to write this story, but missing the mark. Having typos, grammatical and continuity errors in addition to the offensive material makes this book a hard pass on my list. Thank you for your thorough review!
The objectification and sexualisation is indeed coming from the author; however, it does seem like this sexist perspective might have been the product of his environment. Whilst it is upsetting, I do hope that it can be changed with an increased awareness and some study of women's issues on the author's part. The girls themselves are not even aware that they are engaging in such destructive tendencies, so I hope that the author might capitalise on that in his next books.

Thank you for your detailed comments, and I'm glad that my review has helped you to make a decision! (:
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Post by Samhawaii »

Definitely a topic i would not be reading, i'm all about women empowerment and how the woman can do so much if she stand up for herself. thanks for the review.
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Post by gen_g »

Samhawaii wrote: 13 Apr 2019, 06:15 Definitely a topic i would not be reading, i'm all about women empowerment and how the woman can do so much if she stand up for herself. thanks for the review.
Thanks for stopping by, I agree with you that sexism is outdated.
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Post by Adedayo+23 »

I appreciate your candid review. It was very insightful. Shall be giving this book a hard pass. Thanks for the review.
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Post by Olije joy »

Women should learn to be independent, I don't blame you considering how women her described in this book. What an awesome review
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gen_g
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Post by gen_g »

Adedayo+23 wrote: 16 Apr 2019, 12:43 I appreciate your candid review. It was very insightful. Shall be giving this book a hard pass. Thanks for the review.
I do think that the book needs an overhaul. Thanks for stopping by. (:
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gen_g
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Post by gen_g »

Olije joy wrote: 16 Apr 2019, 22:35 Women should learn to be independent, I don't blame you considering how women her described in this book. What an awesome review
It is quite sad, when I think about the way women have been portrayed! Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it. (:
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Post by flaming_quills »

I guess I could say I dodged a bullet there, thanks for the honest review. It's just a shame that such a wonderful idea was wasted on poor writing. I honestly wish the author could have done better.
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