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Flyy Girl #1
Flyy Girl
The bestselling urban classic novel about a young woman coming of age in the late 1980s.
Tracy Ellison, a young knockout with tall hair and attitude, is living life as fast as she can. Motivated by the material world, she and her friends love and leave the young men who will do anything to get next to them. It's only when the world of gratuitous sex threatens heartbreak that Tracy begins to examine her life, her goals, and her sexuality.
Tracy Ellison, a young knockout with tall hair and attitude, is living life as fast as she can. Motivated by the material world, she and her friends love and leave the young men who will do anything to get next to them. It's only when the world of gratuitous sex threatens heartbreak that Tracy begins to examine her life, her goals, and her sexuality.
505 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
Omar Tyree
97 books848 followersOmar Tyree, a New York Times best-selling author, a 2001 NAACP Image Award recipient for Outstanding Literature in Fiction, and a 2006 Phillis Wheatley Literary Award winner for Body of Work in Urban Fiction, has published 16 books and has sold nearly 2 million copies worldwide that has generated more than $30 million.
With a degree in Print Journalism from Howard University in 1991, Tyree has been recognized as one of the most renowned contemporary writers in the literary community. He is also an informed and passionate speaker on various community-related and intellectual topics. Now entering the world of feature films, business lectures, and children’s books, Tyree is a tireless creator and visionary of few limitations.
Tyree is a popular speaker on the university and corporate circuits. In his “Equation for Life” lecture, Tyree weaves together a full-proof formula for attaining lifelong success in business, as well as everyday living. Ideal for innovation, corporate sales and marketing teams, one attendee who heard the lecture commented, “Omar Tyree’s Equation for Life speech made me rethink my whole life - it has given me the focus I need.” The success of the speeches over the last 11 years landed Tyree his first nonfiction book deal with John Wiley, the number 1 business publisher in the world. The Equation: Applying the 4 Indisputable Components of Business Success, is being released in early January 2009.
As an author, journalist, performance poet, songwriter, screenwriter,entrepreneur, innovator of various creations, and an energetic and fiery speaker, Tyree is no stranger to the world of contemporary urban influence. Tyree became one of the dominant literary promoters of the 1990s, leading to offers of publishing deals by a number of influential mainstream book publishers. In 1995, he signed a lucrative two-book arrangement with publishing powerhouse Simon & S chuster. A few years later, Tyree signed an undisclosed long-term contract that established him amongst Simon & Schuster’s top authors.
His journey as an entrepreneur began in his early 20s when he started the book publishing company Mar Productions, to release his earliest works of fiction. Tyree’s entrepreneurial ventures have evolved to include the Urban Literacy Project as a nonprofit organization to inspire reading, writing, thinking,visualization, application and financial literacy skills among disadvantaged youth and adults. He has also formed Renaissance Entertainment Group, a partnership with self-made multimillionaire Arthur Wylie, to produce Tyree’s body of fiction novels into feature films.
Tyree’s articles have been published in the Washington Post, Essence, Upscale, Ebony, TheDailyVoice.com and several other publications
With a degree in Print Journalism from Howard University in 1991, Tyree has been recognized as one of the most renowned contemporary writers in the literary community. He is also an informed and passionate speaker on various community-related and intellectual topics. Now entering the world of feature films, business lectures, and children’s books, Tyree is a tireless creator and visionary of few limitations.
Tyree is a popular speaker on the university and corporate circuits. In his “Equation for Life” lecture, Tyree weaves together a full-proof formula for attaining lifelong success in business, as well as everyday living. Ideal for innovation, corporate sales and marketing teams, one attendee who heard the lecture commented, “Omar Tyree’s Equation for Life speech made me rethink my whole life - it has given me the focus I need.” The success of the speeches over the last 11 years landed Tyree his first nonfiction book deal with John Wiley, the number 1 business publisher in the world. The Equation: Applying the 4 Indisputable Components of Business Success, is being released in early January 2009.
As an author, journalist, performance poet, songwriter, screenwriter,entrepreneur, innovator of various creations, and an energetic and fiery speaker, Tyree is no stranger to the world of contemporary urban influence. Tyree became one of the dominant literary promoters of the 1990s, leading to offers of publishing deals by a number of influential mainstream book publishers. In 1995, he signed a lucrative two-book arrangement with publishing powerhouse Simon & S chuster. A few years later, Tyree signed an undisclosed long-term contract that established him amongst Simon & Schuster’s top authors.
His journey as an entrepreneur began in his early 20s when he started the book publishing company Mar Productions, to release his earliest works of fiction. Tyree’s entrepreneurial ventures have evolved to include the Urban Literacy Project as a nonprofit organization to inspire reading, writing, thinking,visualization, application and financial literacy skills among disadvantaged youth and adults. He has also formed Renaissance Entertainment Group, a partnership with self-made multimillionaire Arthur Wylie, to produce Tyree’s body of fiction novels into feature films.
Tyree’s articles have been published in the Washington Post, Essence, Upscale, Ebony, TheDailyVoice.com and several other publications
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 523 reviews
April 22, 2011
I had to read this book for an African American novel class. We finished reading classics by James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, George Schuyler, William Wells Brown, Ralph Ellison, etc...then read Flyy Girl as an example of the new sub-genre of the urban novel within African American literature. While it was an easy read and elicited a smile at times, it was a VERY poorly written novel that made me wince several times at the unsophisticated style and lack of literary style. I would recommend this book for reluctant readers and teens whose parents don't mind sexuality in their reading material. Once concept I did find interesting and am currently writing a paper on is the effect of absentee fathers on adolescent females and their conceptualization of manhood. The main character, Tracy, allows the boys in her life to treat her the exact same way that her father treats her mother-including allowing abuse and putting up with and unwillingness to commit. When her mother finally gives her father an ultimatum, Tracy also stands up to the love of her young life who up until now has been coming and going and using her whenever he feels like it. This really made me think about the fact that young black males aren't the only ones affected by the lack of structure that is becoming normal in the African American family.
July 8, 2015
This book certainly has its fair share of fans. It didn't connect with me personally but many strongly disagree, so victory for Mr. Tyree. He must have done something right to get Flyy Girl on some of the lists I've seen such as "15 Books Every Young Black Woman Should Read". I can't say that this is a novel I'll steer my daughter towards some day. But since it was recently announced that the trilogy (apparently there are two follow ups) will be hitting the big screen soon, word of mouth must be sending quite a few girls to these books, and perhaps she'll eventually decide on her own to pick it up. So be it. Taste is subjective and there is no shortage of titles that have not been critics' darlings but generated buzz and sold like hotcakes anyway. If you see a bit of yourself in a book then the author has done his/her job, and plenty have said just that about Flyy Girl. I just don't happen to be one of them.
January 16, 2009
This was a great book that prompted me to read other books by the author. Unfortunately, this book was a "one hit wonder" compared to the author's later releases.
May 18, 2023
This is one of my first urban lit books and is still one of favorite. This will always be a classic to me.
January 27, 2012
A BOOK EVERY TEEN SHOULD READ, ESPECIALLY AFRICAN AMERICAN TEENS
I truly enjoy reading this book because it contain many important messages people seem to miss by only paying attention to certain parts of book such as being sexually active still in middle school, dating trouble makers, wearing nice expensive clothes, ect. When actually the author was writing this to make a point the bad choices Tracy was making could cause her to end up like her role model,Mercedes a drug addict. Tracy is simply a product of her enviorment being raise in a single parent, while the father is off doing god knows what, sometimes not seeing his family for months while still married. Along with her mother working, Tracy has a lot of free time on her hands, as they say "idleness is the devil workshop" Tracy gets into some trouble but pull through. The author, being a male did an immpectable job with writer about Tracy, a teenage girl. The character is very realistic, I felt I have met Tracy before. The imagery of the book is very good even though I was born in 1994 and never live through the 80's ( I love 80's culture) I could envision the setting as if I was actually there. This book brought up alot of things in my mind, for example the adults in my family (who are around the same age of Tracy in the time period the book was written) are always complaining how bad my generation is. This book open up my eyes, Flyy Girl was published in 1993 based in the late 70's to 80's and the people my age are no different from the people in the book. It makes me made when adult act like they never did the stuff people my age, I am not condoning the action of sleeping around, doing drugs,ect.
Even though this is my favorite book I have some issues with the book. I am a honey-caramel with a father from Nigeria and Creole mother but I found it very annoying the only attractive people in the book were light-skin, light eyes, silky curly hair people like Tracy,Patti,Raheema,Mercedes,Beth,Bruce,Timmy,Bob,Charles,(the list is endless) with the expection of Victor. The authors always emphaize skin tones, eyes, and some times hair. Interesting dark- skin people like Keith are descibe as "in times of his evilnes, could look like a blue-black red-eyed wino" or consider not good-looking (page 19)Another problem I had with the book was with Tracy being in love Victor. Maybe because I never sexually or something is reason I don't understand. Tracy and Victor had very few meaningly interaction with eachother so I don't understand why she in love him.
But regardless of how I feel about the book I recommend the book to anyone.
NOTE: I have read this book two times. One time during my freshman of high school and the second during my senior years which was just yesterday.
I truly enjoy reading this book because it contain many important messages people seem to miss by only paying attention to certain parts of book such as being sexually active still in middle school, dating trouble makers, wearing nice expensive clothes, ect. When actually the author was writing this to make a point the bad choices Tracy was making could cause her to end up like her role model,Mercedes a drug addict. Tracy is simply a product of her enviorment being raise in a single parent, while the father is off doing god knows what, sometimes not seeing his family for months while still married. Along with her mother working, Tracy has a lot of free time on her hands, as they say "idleness is the devil workshop" Tracy gets into some trouble but pull through. The author, being a male did an immpectable job with writer about Tracy, a teenage girl. The character is very realistic, I felt I have met Tracy before. The imagery of the book is very good even though I was born in 1994 and never live through the 80's ( I love 80's culture) I could envision the setting as if I was actually there. This book brought up alot of things in my mind, for example the adults in my family (who are around the same age of Tracy in the time period the book was written) are always complaining how bad my generation is. This book open up my eyes, Flyy Girl was published in 1993 based in the late 70's to 80's and the people my age are no different from the people in the book. It makes me made when adult act like they never did the stuff people my age, I am not condoning the action of sleeping around, doing drugs,ect.
Even though this is my favorite book I have some issues with the book. I am a honey-caramel with a father from Nigeria and Creole mother but I found it very annoying the only attractive people in the book were light-skin, light eyes, silky curly hair people like Tracy,Patti,Raheema,Mercedes,Beth,Bruce,Timmy,Bob,Charles,(the list is endless) with the expection of Victor. The authors always emphaize skin tones, eyes, and some times hair. Interesting dark- skin people like Keith are descibe as "in times of his evilnes, could look like a blue-black red-eyed wino" or consider not good-looking (page 19)Another problem I had with the book was with Tracy being in love Victor. Maybe because I never sexually or something is reason I don't understand. Tracy and Victor had very few meaningly interaction with eachother so I don't understand why she in love him.
But regardless of how I feel about the book I recommend the book to anyone.
NOTE: I have read this book two times. One time during my freshman of high school and the second during my senior years which was just yesterday.
January 8, 2009
A Young Girl in Flight
This is a coming of age story during the 80's baby! I liked that part, and how he described the gear we use to sport! Just hearing the title and thinking about the song makes me want to go hang out how we did in "my day!" LOL Dang am I that old!
Tracy, the main character is as superficial as they come. She enjoys a twist of her newfound freedom since her parents separate and she has gone from hating guys, to loving them! She's all about fashion, and guys, nothing else seems to matter. It's a nice story maybe for younger girls and their moms in case you'll forgot what it was like. It was very detailed and honestly that got boring to me! I did like that she finally matured past being all engrossed in her looks, her gear, and her jealousy. Flat-backing is not how a real woman gets on ladies!
This is a coming of age story during the 80's baby! I liked that part, and how he described the gear we use to sport! Just hearing the title and thinking about the song makes me want to go hang out how we did in "my day!" LOL Dang am I that old!
Tracy, the main character is as superficial as they come. She enjoys a twist of her newfound freedom since her parents separate and she has gone from hating guys, to loving them! She's all about fashion, and guys, nothing else seems to matter. It's a nice story maybe for younger girls and their moms in case you'll forgot what it was like. It was very detailed and honestly that got boring to me! I did like that she finally matured past being all engrossed in her looks, her gear, and her jealousy. Flat-backing is not how a real woman gets on ladies!
March 26, 2013
one can keep tired of reading about perfect shaped girls, money falls in their laps, long hair, pretty eyes, all the men/boys want them. it's not realistic. yes this is just entertainment, but it was boring.
February 13, 2008
I was in my early teens, I believe when a schoolmate recommended this novel to me. Even at that time, I was disturbingly unhappy with the style, composition and overall literary flow of this novel. The main character was unrelatable and even if she were, I couldn't find her likeable or even worthy of empathy. I had a rather difficult time connecting with Tyree's prose and was disappointed with his other projects as well.
January 26, 2012
This book was good. I gave it 4 stars because it was another typical book about a hard headed black girl going through family troubles, having sex, picking the wrong dude and ending up with nothing. Even though Im tired of hearing this same concept the book was good.
January 10, 2023
Favorite Quote: “…Tracy set herself up for misery, searching for the perfect man, like her father, who walked away whenever he wanted.”
Reading about a well to do middle class black family in the 80’s is honestly refreshing to read until the power dynamics and domestic violence within the home brings us back to reality that all that glitters will never be gold and little Tracy is caught in the middle of it all as she tries to navigate growing up with her next door neighbor and best friend Ra-Ra and her sister, Mercedes. Tracy only has her mind set on one thing and that’s being the top Flyy-Girl but is she ready for what all comes with it? Ra-Ra on the other hand is the complete opposite of Tracy and she moves through life with a more cautious nature but will that yield her a different result than Tracy? Mercedes on the other hand is everything Tracy hopes to become, older, pretty, has the fly gear and the guys with status.
Reading about a well to do middle class black family in the 80’s is honestly refreshing to read until the power dynamics and domestic violence within the home brings us back to reality that all that glitters will never be gold and little Tracy is caught in the middle of it all as she tries to navigate growing up with her next door neighbor and best friend Ra-Ra and her sister, Mercedes. Tracy only has her mind set on one thing and that’s being the top Flyy-Girl but is she ready for what all comes with it? Ra-Ra on the other hand is the complete opposite of Tracy and she moves through life with a more cautious nature but will that yield her a different result than Tracy? Mercedes on the other hand is everything Tracy hopes to become, older, pretty, has the fly gear and the guys with status.
January 6, 2020
Where to start with Flyy Girl-
1. I promise this is true- I’m just now realizing “Flyy” is spelled with two Ys.
2. Reading a book as a teenager compared to reading as an adult is...different. Some thoughts stand the test of time, others not so much.
I remember reading Flyy Girl as a teenager, I’m thinking maybe 17 or 18 years old. At that age, I thought it was a dope story. Not a life I wished to emulate, not a life I could personally relate to but Tracy’s coming of age was entertaining and so much more dramatic than my life. Twenty one years later I feel surprisingly the same but there are things I don’t think I gave much thought to then but it’s pretty obvious now. For one, Flyy Girl is organized around a central character, Tracy Ellison and the many relationships that comprise her life. She is daughter to Dave & Patti, childhood friend to Raheema (RaRa), Jantel, and Carmen, “little sister”/mentee to Mercedes (Raheema’s older sister), eventual girlfriend to Cash, Timmy, Carl, Bruce, true albeit one-sided love with Victor. Within these relationships Tyree establishes Tracy as assertive, determined, and manipulative, qualities that are valued in a man much more than a woman by society. Raheema is presented as meek, reserved, and pure of heart; a near opposite of Tracy. What’s problematic to me is Tracy is written as always succeeding in getting what and who she wants (excepting Victor) and Raheema is written as yearning to be like other teenagers but lacking social skills due in part to her introverted nature and her abusive father’s control freak personality. None of the characters presented have what’s considered a healthy family structure for Tracy’s parents are separated for several years and have a love/hate relationship and they sort of co-parent Tracy & Jason. Raheema’s parents have marriage based on fear and control with Keith being physically and emotionally abusive to Beth and his daughters. Something to keep in mind is every action, positive & negative, has consequences.
From 13 to 16, Tracy leads a wannabe grown lifestyle. Some would call her “fast”. I personally don’t like that label for a number of reasons, namely it’s a double standard attached to it. Her moment of clarity comes after the end of a violent/controlling relationship with Cash & Timmy. Another thing to remember-no one is perfect and growth is a process that isn’t always linear.
I think the strength of Flyy Girl lies in the details. Tyree does a great job detailing mid to late 1980s fashion and the personalities of the characters. This strength gets to be a little tiresome when Tyree focuses on minor characters such as Bruce and not fully develop Raheema. What makes Flyy Girl a classic is that despite Tracy’s flaws and quirks, this reader wants her to succeed..and get it together as well as Raheema.
Things to read with understanding-privilege concept that dominates the book, gender roles/expectations that should not be typical but sadly still exist.
I haven’t read the succeeding books in this series yet but the edition I read had an excerpt from For the Love of Money and it seems like a possibility.
1. I promise this is true- I’m just now realizing “Flyy” is spelled with two Ys.
2. Reading a book as a teenager compared to reading as an adult is...different. Some thoughts stand the test of time, others not so much.
I remember reading Flyy Girl as a teenager, I’m thinking maybe 17 or 18 years old. At that age, I thought it was a dope story. Not a life I wished to emulate, not a life I could personally relate to but Tracy’s coming of age was entertaining and so much more dramatic than my life. Twenty one years later I feel surprisingly the same but there are things I don’t think I gave much thought to then but it’s pretty obvious now. For one, Flyy Girl is organized around a central character, Tracy Ellison and the many relationships that comprise her life. She is daughter to Dave & Patti, childhood friend to Raheema (RaRa), Jantel, and Carmen, “little sister”/mentee to Mercedes (Raheema’s older sister), eventual girlfriend to Cash, Timmy, Carl, Bruce, true albeit one-sided love with Victor. Within these relationships Tyree establishes Tracy as assertive, determined, and manipulative, qualities that are valued in a man much more than a woman by society. Raheema is presented as meek, reserved, and pure of heart; a near opposite of Tracy. What’s problematic to me is Tracy is written as always succeeding in getting what and who she wants (excepting Victor) and Raheema is written as yearning to be like other teenagers but lacking social skills due in part to her introverted nature and her abusive father’s control freak personality. None of the characters presented have what’s considered a healthy family structure for Tracy’s parents are separated for several years and have a love/hate relationship and they sort of co-parent Tracy & Jason. Raheema’s parents have marriage based on fear and control with Keith being physically and emotionally abusive to Beth and his daughters. Something to keep in mind is every action, positive & negative, has consequences.
From 13 to 16, Tracy leads a wannabe grown lifestyle. Some would call her “fast”. I personally don’t like that label for a number of reasons, namely it’s a double standard attached to it. Her moment of clarity comes after the end of a violent/controlling relationship with Cash & Timmy. Another thing to remember-no one is perfect and growth is a process that isn’t always linear.
I think the strength of Flyy Girl lies in the details. Tyree does a great job detailing mid to late 1980s fashion and the personalities of the characters. This strength gets to be a little tiresome when Tyree focuses on minor characters such as Bruce and not fully develop Raheema. What makes Flyy Girl a classic is that despite Tracy’s flaws and quirks, this reader wants her to succeed..and get it together as well as Raheema.
Things to read with understanding-privilege concept that dominates the book, gender roles/expectations that should not be typical but sadly still exist.
I haven’t read the succeeding books in this series yet but the edition I read had an excerpt from For the Love of Money and it seems like a possibility.
July 16, 2015
Enlightening, Realistic, Page-Turner!!! Excellent Read! I Loved It!
December 22, 2016
3.5 stars.
I've thought about re-reading
Flyy Girl
over the years, just to see if it still holds up. It does in some respects, because it tells the truth about what many young black women experience in love and relationships, no matter their upbringing; back then we only wanted to be cool and accepted by boys and yearned for excitement. I accept Flyy Girl for what it is (was), but reading it now, I feel like I'm glad to be past this age.
Read
March 5, 2020I'm just so happy to be done with this book. Although I can recognize its importance in its display of hip hop culture, it's just...not...good. The characters aren't developed and their motivations are dragged from one extreme to the other by an author who has no idea how a coherent plot structure works. And Tyree's interpretation of female sensuality and sexuality is just ridiculous, almost pornographic, which is really hard to read considering that Tracy is 11-14 for most of this book.
November 18, 2014
i think i read this in 8th grade or maybe it was freshman year of high school. i just recall girls eating this up like it was candy. after having it recommended to be for the fiftieth time i borrowed it from a fellow classmate.
i was appalled and found it disturbing. i especially remember thinking about all of the girls that pushed it on me and i wondered if they liked it only for the shock value. i wondered if reading it made them feel cool. and then i wondered why i was friends with them.
mlech. pass.
i was appalled and found it disturbing. i especially remember thinking about all of the girls that pushed it on me and i wondered if they liked it only for the shock value. i wondered if reading it made them feel cool. and then i wondered why i was friends with them.
mlech. pass.
Currently reading
March 26, 2008I think this book is very interesting. It has so many details. I can relate to it because I am a teen dealing with the decisions and consequences of life. I love this book, and think anyone in their teenage years.
December 6, 2015
FINALLY READ THIS BOOK
IT WAS GOOD. . .
AT TIMES TRACY GOT ON MY FUCKING NERVES IT'S LIKE THE OLDER SHE GOT THE MORE SELF CENTERED SHE BECAME SHE WAS SEEING DUDE AFTER DUDE IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO KEEP UP . . . NETHER LESS THE BOOK WAS GOOD AND I ENJOYED IT...
IT WAS GOOD. . .
AT TIMES TRACY GOT ON MY FUCKING NERVES IT'S LIKE THE OLDER SHE GOT THE MORE SELF CENTERED SHE BECAME SHE WAS SEEING DUDE AFTER DUDE IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO KEEP UP . . . NETHER LESS THE BOOK WAS GOOD AND I ENJOYED IT...
July 25, 2016
This was pretty good. Some parts did drag and I feel like Tracy could have learned her lesson at a more gradual pace. I love the inclusion of Afro-centric elements. Especially Tracy's poem. It was beautiful. Interesting to see where the rest of her story goes. Full review to come.
April 14, 2009
This has to be one of the most poorly written books that I have read.
January 12, 2017
This book was pretty good. I think there may have been a sequel written.
March 4, 2016
This book never disappoints. Victor is everything! I just hate how the series ended though.
May 25, 2016
This was a great book. It was sooo relatable. Reminded me of every young trying to find her identity.
July 19, 2020
Great #BLM YA title took me back to my 80’s era 😍🥰🥰😍
September 1, 2019
I can see why so many women loved this book as a teenager, because reading this as a mature adult was a drag. The slang, the plot, just everything was geared towards the teenage mind.
The book follows the main character Tracy from being a young child through her junior year of high school. Throughout her teen years, it was a revolving door of men that came in and out of her life. Tracy meets drug deal, drug dealer gets the cookie, drug dealer loses interest and leaves the picture, enter new guy and do this all over again.
This book no lie took me over a month to get through. The first half was a drag for me but after I hit the halfway mark, it began to pick up a bit. I’m glad I read this so that my black card can be reinstated, however I now realize I would have been just fine without reading this one too. This book was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. I think it’s definitely geared for a younger audience.
The book follows the main character Tracy from being a young child through her junior year of high school. Throughout her teen years, it was a revolving door of men that came in and out of her life. Tracy meets drug deal, drug dealer gets the cookie, drug dealer loses interest and leaves the picture, enter new guy and do this all over again.
This book no lie took me over a month to get through. The first half was a drag for me but after I hit the halfway mark, it began to pick up a bit. I’m glad I read this so that my black card can be reinstated, however I now realize I would have been just fine without reading this one too. This book was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. I think it’s definitely geared for a younger audience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2009
If this was the first time I read this book and I was a mere 16 years old, I probably would have given it 5 stars. Flyy Girl was my first adventure into reading for pleasure. It was given to me from my cousin and it kept me occupied for a few days in the summer. So I'll always have a small bit of love for this book.
It is now maybe 10 or so years later since the first and second and third time I read Flyy Girl and I see it so differently now. I admired Tracy. Maybe from a lack of my own self esteem. I wanted to have her party girl lifestle, but I knew that wasn't me. I can definitely say after rereading this book as an adult I'm more like Raheema personality wise.
Now, I see Tracy as a troubled girl who just follows the wrong people and turn into a direction that wouldn't be healthy for anyone. And of course, she has her epiphany and changes her life around for the better.
As for the Author, Mr. Tyree, I was really disappointed with the writing. From what he described, Tracy lived in an upscale black neighborhood, yet her language left a lot to be desired. I'm not from Philly so I don't know how integrated the areas are to have upscale areas right next to the hood (Oh wait, yes I do, I live in Baltimore).
But as a child of better off parents, Tracy wouldn't have had a choice where to go. She would have been in private school and she sure wouldn't have been saying words like "chew" instead of "you" without getting popped in the mouth by one of her parents.
These are not my kind of books anymore. I have moved on from the "ghetto novel" genre. It has gotten stale and it's really for a younger crowd (not saying I'm old at a mere 26). However, if someone were to ever find a book in this genre that really has some depth, please recommend it to me.
So I know I'm rating this high. Because it probably should be a 3 star book. But I'm giving it an extra star for being my first book into pleasure reading and not just school assignments.
It is now maybe 10 or so years later since the first and second and third time I read Flyy Girl and I see it so differently now. I admired Tracy. Maybe from a lack of my own self esteem. I wanted to have her party girl lifestle, but I knew that wasn't me. I can definitely say after rereading this book as an adult I'm more like Raheema personality wise.
Now, I see Tracy as a troubled girl who just follows the wrong people and turn into a direction that wouldn't be healthy for anyone. And of course, she has her epiphany and changes her life around for the better.
As for the Author, Mr. Tyree, I was really disappointed with the writing. From what he described, Tracy lived in an upscale black neighborhood, yet her language left a lot to be desired. I'm not from Philly so I don't know how integrated the areas are to have upscale areas right next to the hood (Oh wait, yes I do, I live in Baltimore).
But as a child of better off parents, Tracy wouldn't have had a choice where to go. She would have been in private school and she sure wouldn't have been saying words like "chew" instead of "you" without getting popped in the mouth by one of her parents.
These are not my kind of books anymore. I have moved on from the "ghetto novel" genre. It has gotten stale and it's really for a younger crowd (not saying I'm old at a mere 26). However, if someone were to ever find a book in this genre that really has some depth, please recommend it to me.
So I know I'm rating this high. Because it probably should be a 3 star book. But I'm giving it an extra star for being my first book into pleasure reading and not just school assignments.
November 29, 2019
During a dinner about a month ago, my friends and I discovered I had never read an Omar Tyree novel. I set about rectifying that with Flyy Girl since the cover says it’s an urban classic and all. Unfortunately, the appeal of this book missed me by about 25 years. I kept waiting for the character to grow up until I realized she was going to be a child the entire novel and the interaction with each boy was basically the exact same dialog over and over and over again. The indefatigable game playing and colorism lasts for over 400 pages! Maybe if I were from Philly or at the house parties in the 80s it would have been nostalgic for me, but I wasn’t, and it wasn’t. I was bored, decidedly not nostalgic for the 80s and 90s, and ready to read anything where the girls had more insightful things to say that I don’t know and I guess. Omar Tyree officially checked off the list.
February 19, 2008
If you're into promiscuity, boys and drama this book if for you. Tracy, living with her mother and father noticed a change in her home. Her father wanted out but her mother didn't know why. At a young age she had to experience her families split.
Her father rented an apartment while her and her mother still lived in his house under his rules. As Tracy got older and there was no father figure around boys got in her path and made her teenage years harder. Still she now has a younger brother from her same father and now her parents relationship is harder than triganomatry in summer school. Tracy feels as if she needs a father figure around but not in her life...(still reading)
Her father rented an apartment while her and her mother still lived in his house under his rules. As Tracy got older and there was no father figure around boys got in her path and made her teenage years harder. Still she now has a younger brother from her same father and now her parents relationship is harder than triganomatry in summer school. Tracy feels as if she needs a father figure around but not in her life...(still reading)
July 27, 2017
I remember completely relating with Tracy. She seemed just as confused and lost about boys as I was. I thought she was such a great character for a young black girl to read about and see herself in. I still think this is a great urban classic but Tracy isn't really the best role model. I found her to be irksome and stupid in my second reading. This book is very dated with the slang and descriptions of wardrobe but it does an amazing job of showing that nothing really changes. A coming of age tale is relevant no matter the era.
July 16, 2015
I First read this book back when I was a young woman and I loved it then, And now reading this as an older woman in her forties, I still feel the same, my emotions, my head shaking, my busting up out loud and my understanding what the main character is going through as she experience love, life, and happiness are all still the same. With some heart break thrown in the mix.... Now I have to read the sequel to this book to find out how things went after the main character matured into a grown woman. Will definitely recommend this book to others.
June 12, 2012
I can remember reading this and seeing some of my "friends" at the time experiencing some of the same scenarios that Omar talked about. This is about teens, fast teens, boys not yet men, the promiscuity that prevailed in the 80's, and growing up. I read this over 15 years ago and still remember. I guess that says something~
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