Nappily Ever After
A Novel
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM STARRING SANAA LATHAN
What happens when you toss tradition out the window and really start living for yourself?
Venus Johnston has a great job, a beautiful home, and a loving live-in boyfriend named Clint, who happens to be a drop-dead gorgeous doctor. She also has a weekly beauty-parlor date with Tina, who keeps Venus's long, processed hair slick and straight. But when Clint--who's been reluctant to commit over the past four years--brings home a puppy instead of an engagement ring, Venus decides to give it all up. She trades in her long hair for a dramatically short, natural cut and sends Clint packing.
It's a bold declaration of independence--one that has effects she never could have imagined. Reactions from friends and coworkers range from concern to contempt to outright condemnation. And when Clint moves on and starts dating a voluptuous, long-haired beauty, Venus is forced to question what she really wants out of life. With wit, resilience, and a lot of determination, she finally learns what true happiness is--on her own terms. Told with style, savvy, and humor, Nappily Ever After is a novel that marks the debut of a fresh new voice in fiction.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
In Trisha R. Thomas’ uplifting novel, hair isn’t just a symbol of identity and empowerment, it’s also part and parcel of the quest for true happiness. After confronting a doctor boyfriend who can’t seem to commit, advertising exec Venus Johnston shaves off her long, straight, chemically treated hair. But when her new look triggers racist and sexist episodes at work—and her ex almost immediately gets engaged to another woman—Venus discovers that reinvention can be bittersweet. We love Thomas’ insightful, witty heroine and her journey of unexpected twists.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
African-American advertising agency executive Venus Johnston has had enough. Enough of the painful, expensive hours spent relaxing her "good" hair and enough of her four-year relationship with medical intern Clint Fairchild, which has lasted too long without a ring. She shaves her hair to a quarter-inch stubble, tells Clint to pack his bags and spends the rest of Thomas's empowering debut novel building a new life to match the new woman she's become. Clint, on the rebound, meets beautiful, longhaired and marriage-ready Kandi Treboe and proposes on an impulse, despite evidence that he's not over Venus. Meanwhile, Venus confronts issues of sexual harassment and racism in her predominantly white Washington, D.C., firm, where she begins to receive threatening notes. The crisis at work fuels Venus's fears that she's not strong enough to survive her new freedom. Has she made a mistake by abandoning the security of her boyfriend and her long, straight hair? Kandi develops into a complex character, with her own set of concerns and a sense of humor about the lovers' triangle. Her perspective provides an interesting counterpoint to Venus's obsession with the consuming culture surrounding black women's hair. Clint's confusion over his choice between the two women is treated honestly, and Venus's discovery that she has moved to new psychological territory carries emotional weight. This exploration of an African-American woman's journey to self-acceptance is not without flaws (spotty writing and loose ends tied up too fast), but Thomas refuses to let her characters slide into stereotype, and she keeps the pace fast and funny.
Customer Reviews
I am not my hair
I am not my hair. In the Black community, our hair is like an accessory that is very fashionable. This book touches on a sensitive subject whether it is good, curly, natural, relaxed, weave, or blonde. I went natural before it was the "trendy' thing. I could relate to Venus in the stares and lesbian assumptions. Now, people are paying hundreds of dollars for wavy and curly hair which I have naturally.
Venus, Kandi, and Clint try to live their lives to please someone else. When we do that, we lose ourselves and reality. Self-esteem can either break or make a relationship. Everyone has their input but will you listen to your friends or instinct. Great read find out how all these issues intertwine.
Truth
I enjoyed your movie, it helped to understand that we no longer have to feel we can’t be who we are, we no longer need to allow people to dictate what beauty is. For those whom think they know. Beauty again is within a person, it has nothing to do with our outside appearance. It shines out, and when it does a light and the quality in the persons attraction those knowing beauty. Its the real person. We don’t have to work at that. Thank you for writing books it will be in my collection for myself, young adults, and grandchildren. Continue to write and again thank you.
Epic
Absolutely love this story of self-love!