Holy Cow! I too am an avid reader, like another reviewer I do try my level best to finish what I start. It was a 1998 Book Group choice and I just thought all the derogatory stuff was over the top. I may be some naive white girl, but I just thought it very unnecessary. I was very disappointed that it was a 1998 choice. I belong to 2 book groups and I had said that I was going to read this at the last meeting of one of them, but I plan to let them know that it's just not worth it. It offended my sensibilities. I guess I just don't get the black mentality or something, but I would not ever want to be spoken to the way the women are spoken to and referred to in this "book". Plus Shawn was so incredibly CHEAP!!!! What an insecure dud this guy was! I'm sorry, I just thought this book was drivel...