Don't Make a Black Woman Take off Her Earrings: Madea's Uninhibited Commentaries on Love and Life »

Tyler Perry is a playwright, producer, director, composer, and actor. He is the creative force behind ten theatrical productions that have toured nationally. He is also the writer, producer, and star of the recent number-one hit movie Diary of a Mad Black Woman. His second feature film Madea's Family Reunion, which he wrote, produced, directed, and stars in, is scheduled for release in February 2006. Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings is his first book.

The bestselling first book from the creative force known as Tyler Perry: a confessional memoir in the voice of Madea-the beloved, sharp-tongued, worldly-wise, pistol-packing grandma who is at the center of his popular stage shows and the star of his number-one hit movie, Diary of a Mad Black Woman.

Publishers Weekly

One could say that if the title of this book confuses you, then you probably shouldn't be reading it. But, as Madea helpfully suggests, "If you don't understand something I'm saying here and you're not black, you will have to ask somebody who is." Madea-Southern-speak for "mother dear"-is the fierce alter ego of Tyler Perry, who has paraded the marijuana-smoking, pistol-packing, trash-talking matron through a series of hit gospel plays and films. Although primarily a comic figure based on unapologetically crude behavior coming from a harmless-looking old lady, Madea is envisioned by Perry (who provides his own introduction before turning the reins over to his inner grandma) as a throwback to a time when strong matriarchs ruled the community. The result is a surprisingly fresh compilation of homespun advice-which Madea says the reader should take "at your own risk"-on love, sex, getting ahead in life and (strangely) the thousand-plus uses of Vaseline. Although veering dangerously close to serious at times, Perry litters Madea's anarchic, stage-ready monologues with hilariously bad quips along the lines of "the grass is always greener on the other side, but the water bill is higher." (Apr. 11) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.