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Who Asked You?  By  cover art

Who Asked You?

By: Terry McMillan
Narrated by: Terry McMillan,Carole DeSanti,Phylicia Rashad,Michael Boatman
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Publisher's summary

From the number one New York Times best-selling author.

Betty Jean already has her hands full when her grown daughter leaves her two young sons in her care. In between dealing with her other adult children, two opinionated sisters, an ill husband, and her own postponed dreams - BJ still manages to hold down a job delivering room service at a hotel.

Her son Dexter is about to be paroled from prison; Quentin, the family success, can’t be bothered to lend a hand; and taking care of two lively grandsons is the last thing BJ thinks she needs. But who asked her?

©2013 Terry McMillan (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A well-crafted story of acceptance, forgiveness, and hope. McMillan deftly weaves her tale of a black Los Angeles family’s disharmony around the narratives of bickering sisters Betty Jean, Arlene, and Venetia as they watch their kids stumble into adulthood.... Strong-hearted kids lead the family back to each other - but McMillan’s story belongs to the middle-aged steel magnolias who value loyalty above all." (Publishers Weekly)

"McMillan writes jauntily and with customary good humor.... Her story affirms the value of love and family, to say nothing of the strength of resolute women in the absence of much strength on the part of those few men who happen to be in the vicinity.... A solid, well-told story." (Kirkus Reviews)

“Remember Getting to Happy, Waiting to Exhale, and How Stella Got Her Groove Back? Well, you won’t likely forget Terry McMillan’s Who Asked You? either” (Raleigh News & Observer)

What listeners say about Who Asked You?

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  • Overall
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brillant

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

they all made it as if you were right in the front row of a show, they were so real.

If you could take any character from Who Asked You? out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Betty Jean, and her sisters, cause I could use some old school, down to earth, without beating around the bush advice myself.

Any additional comments?

yes, this was an excellent book, I want to give Terry Mcmillan kudo's for her great imagination and skill in writing she is one of my favorite writers. BUT PLEASE LEAVE NARRATING TO THE PROFESSIONALS, (I'm sorry) but you should NEVER do this again, you are a writer, your voice is not???, I don't know how to put it without being rude, so let's just keep it as it is. Just keep writing, and I'll keep buying. Again GREAT BOOK.

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good Story; Excellent Narration

What made the experience of listening to Who Asked You? the most enjoyable?

Betty Jean's scenes.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Who Asked You??

Performance by Phylicia Rashad.

Which scene was your favorite?

Most of the scenes held my interest.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes... except time did not permit.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Family issues

Interesting story, relatable issues. But some authors need to leave the reading to the professionals.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great book!!

This book was so good. It was so real. I loved the ending!! Phylicia Rashad voice is so wonderful to listen to, she just draws you in from the beginning!!!

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Listen!

Where does Who Asked You? rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is one of the best books that I've listened to in AA fiction. It was so good that I logged on to rate it, which is something that I have rarely done.

What did you like best about this story?

The pace of the reading was perfect, the characters was awesome and the story was easy to follow. It was like I was actually able to envision the entire story while listening.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The feeling behind the characters... they bring the characters to life through the reading... the feeling and emotions.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Very life like - Dam

Where does Who Asked You? rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have listened to this book 3 times. Everytime the characters keep me in stitches. This book reminds me sooo much of many of my friends lives. Felica Rashad, and Terry McMillan, is hilarious and makes the character so life like. This book, has something for everyone, you cry, you laugh, you say some unchristen like things, and much more. It is well worth listening to. I'm soo glad I purhcased the audible instead of reading the book. But then, "Who Asked you" (laughing) Enjoy

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that BJ (Betty Jean) got another chance at happiness for herself, despite all the challenges she faced. The fact that Omar finally got self confidence and became a man and told his mother he was gay, and I laughed so hard, I nearly got in trouble at work, but I'm glad she found out the way she did. Justice, for her being soo overprotective with her child, and thinking she was all that. Life knocks you down, but love and prayer together overcomes everything, when you activate faith not fear. And even though BJ was not into church, she definitely had faith.We all need it.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Emotions, emotions, that took my imagination there ini the story. I found myself looking through the window, of each of their lives.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Got cha, and who asked you anyway

Any additional comments?

Everyone should go out and purhcase it today. The rating is very close to beating my 5 star rating for 'Waiting to Exhale". Terry knocked this one out of the park. I hope a film, is on the horizon. It'll be well received.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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BACK ON TRACK

Ms McMillan, wisely waited a few years to submit this new novel. In my opinion, she had rushed a few of her previous books and only two were to my liking. Not so of this one. I found myself, chuckling several times as I moved about the house, cooking or doing odd chores. And then, of course, as I grew into the story, I found myself in total agreement with experiences in my life that I could identify with. My only concern is, I wish Phylicia Rashad had a greater input. I never understand why authors always want to read their novels and not leave it to the professionals. I'll never get tired of Ms Rashad's speaking voice. She makes me feel as if I know EXACTLY where she's coming from. I enjoyed this novel very much.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Who Asked You? Very Good Listen

What did you love best about Who Asked You??

It was so down to earth. It was like real life. Like my life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Betty Jean!!! She is my mom. Everything about her is my mom. My mom is raising her two grandchildren. She has some of the same struggles as Betty Jean.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Luther read the letter to Betty Jean. I couldn't stop crying....

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Betty Jean lost her daughter.. That was hard for her!

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4 people found this helpful

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Another Winner!

Finally getting around to listening to all the audiobook I have and never have time, I'm so glad this was the third book on my list. I loved the fact that there was more than one person for each character. This book had a lot of depth in it, covered a lot of different subjects, but all came together. Terry McMillan, great job!

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WOW!!!!!!!!

Would you listen to Who Asked You? again? Why?

I've listened to it several times. It's life changing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Who Asked You??

When BJ finally takes time for herself.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

BJ

Who was the most memorable character of Who Asked You? and why?

BJ was the most memorable character because she is todays grandparent.

Any additional comments?

I love to watch old black and white movies. In the movies you have children they become successful. Then they have children and they all come to the grandparent’s house for the holidays. Terry’s book is keeping it real. Life doesn’t follow a happiness blue print plan. Women devote so much of their lives taking care of others that we don’t have the time or energy to stop and take care of ourselves. We rear our children and then our children have children. But they don’t come home for the holidays, they come back to live with you. If they leave home and stay gone they drain you financially and/ or emotionally. Terry’s book saved my life. I’m a spiritual person. I reared my children and one granddaughter. I financially help out my children and grandchildren. I worked at my job for almost 20 years. I got a new boss who was a bully and fired me for being old. I didn’t feel old. Time has been good to me, but the face looking back at me showed the struggles of life. I’m 60 years old and one paycheck away from poverty. I’ve used my retirement to help my children. I prayed and asked God for help. I was looking through my library on Audible. Then I saw Terry McMillan’s new book, “Who Asked You?” The character BJ, reminded me of myself. She showed me that, even at my age there is hope. The narrators were excellent. Many thanks go out to Phylicia Rashad whose voice calmed my anxiety. Thank you, Terry for writing a book for today’s trials and tribulations. It was the answer to my prayer.

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