rebekah_florence's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
What a treat to hear her own story in her own words in her own time. I love Viola Davis. Her work meant so much to me from the moment I saw her in The Help at 12 years old. Immediately after returning home, I furiously searched everything I could about her, her acting career, and how I could EXACTLY what she did- represent dark-skinned Black women on screen. Viola tells stories in such a captivating way that, even in time jumps, they flow seamlessly. I don’t know if I believe in rating a memoir below 5 stars. I don’t know if I believe in rating a memoir at all, however, if someone has the courage to share their story, amen to that. Viola exposes some of the deepest parts of herself- trauma, abuse, bullying, self-doubt and ultimately forgiveness. So many parts of the book had me in tears because I could relate to them. I see how the stories she decided to share connect to her work. This was raw and inspiring and beautifully done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Cancer, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Blood, Cursing, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Abortion, Addiction, Alcohol, Animal death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Medical content, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Rape
Minor: Drug abuse
emswantree's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.5
I don’t know how she did it but Viola Davis was able to share the hardest parts of her life in a straightforward way that is not about self pity but more about this is how things are for low income people of color. She was honest about her life and her career- her shortcomings and her healing. I am not a fan of the celebrity memoir but this one was so much more than that for me. I loved it and now need to go watch more of her movies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Child abuse, and Alcoholism
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