louismunozjr's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot praise this book enough. My life was changed when I saw "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitman" when I was 13 years old, and Cicely Tyson elevated our existence. To hear her story, her many stories, has inspired me anew, and I can only say "thank you," and "Rest in Peace" to someone whose life is more than "just" that of an actress, but a soul we should all try to emulate and learn from.
ldearing's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
What an incredible, special woman. I listened to the audiobook, so this took me quite awhile to finish but I’m glad I took the time to do so. I appreciated her honest and raw look into her upbringing, career, and her marriage with Miles Davis. Her passion for Black liberation was apparent throughout her life. I did not relate to her spirituality, but it was admirable to listen to her devotion and love for God. The only drawback I found in this was the lack of support she showed to the victims of Bill Cosby. While she doesn’t spend too much time writing about him, she was close with him and only writes that he never laid a hand on her. I wish she would’ve made it clear she stands with the survivors. Other than that, I am very glad I had a chance to read about her beautiful life.
Some quotes:
“I want to go home knowing that I loved generously, even if imperfectly. I want to feel as if I embodied our humanity so fully that it made us laugh and weep, that it reminded us of our shared frailties. I want to be recalled as one who squared my shoulders in the service of black women, as one who made us walk taller and envision greater for ourselves. I want to know that I did the very best that I could with what God gave me—just as I am.”
“Human behavior is a mystery, one riddled with contradiction.”
“That is, in this life, who we are for one another–fellow sojourners and witnesses. We are here to see and hear one another.”
Some quotes:
“I want to go home knowing that I loved generously, even if imperfectly. I want to feel as if I embodied our humanity so fully that it made us laugh and weep, that it reminded us of our shared frailties. I want to be recalled as one who squared my shoulders in the service of black women, as one who made us walk taller and envision greater for ourselves. I want to know that I did the very best that I could with what God gave me—just as I am.”
“Human behavior is a mystery, one riddled with contradiction.”
“That is, in this life, who we are for one another–fellow sojourners and witnesses. We are here to see and hear one another.”
“We’re fortunate, in this life, if we’ve known true love once. I have and I relished it.”
“You always seek to control others when you are not in full ownership of yourself.”
“You always seek to control others when you are not in full ownership of yourself.”
annas2345's review
4.0
I really enjoyed learning so much about Cecily Tyson's life. I had very minimal knowledge going into this book. I feel like there are definitely places in her autobiography that I feel like she skims or glosses over potentially to make herself look better or those that she loves look better. I wish She would have dived deeper into her struggles..
cthrn's review
3.0
3.5 stars!
The first half of the book was 5 stars for me. After 50%, I really lost interest.
The first half of the book was 5 stars for me. After 50%, I really lost interest.
oceanscy's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Domestic abuse, and Racism
Minor: Gun violence
lacheri's review
4.0
Truthfully, I did not know much about Cicely Tyson before picking up this book (and I'm glad I did, pick it up that is). I loved how she began the novel traveling back to her parents’ island of Nevis, their journey to America and how they came to build their lives here. No one in this world is perfect, is that’s how she portrays the people in her life, including herself. She painted them to be human, realistic with faults and all.
If you're considering picking it up, then do yourself a favor and just do it!
I am also going to rectify the error of not watching Ms. Tyson's earlier works starting with The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (as it was the first thing I can get my hands on off Amazon Prime).
May you Rest in Power, Ms. Cicely Tyson.
If you're considering picking it up, then do yourself a favor and just do it!
I am also going to rectify the error of not watching Ms. Tyson's earlier works starting with The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (as it was the first thing I can get my hands on off Amazon Prime).
May you Rest in Power, Ms. Cicely Tyson.
helenabythebook's review against another edition
Rain check - I’m going to pick this up later!