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Finding Me: An Oprah's Book Club Pick

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'Finding Me: An Oprah's Book Club Pick' by Viola Davis is a deeply moving memoir that takes readers on a journey through Viola's life struggles, triumphs, and resilience. The book is written in a raw and honest style, showcasing Viola's courage and vulnerability as she shares her story of hope, survival, and self-acceptance. From her challenging childhood to her Hollywood stardom, Viola's narrative is a powerful reminder of the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity.

Viola Davis's memoir is not just a recounting of her life experiences but a testament to the importance of self-discovery and embracing one's true self. Through her poignant storytelling, Viola encourages readers to find themselves, to embrace their vulnerabilities, and to seek courage in the face of struggles. Her narrative sheds light on issues such as colorism, discrimination, poverty, and the impact of upbringing, inspiring readers to reflect on their own lives and the societal changes needed for a more compassionate world.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is raw and heartfelt, allowing readers to connect deeply with her experiences.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative highlights Viola Davis's struggles with poverty, abuse, and her eventual rise to fame while also critiquing broader social issues.

Setting:

The setting moves from a poverty-stricken Rhode Island of her childhood to the glitzy world of Hollywood.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with a gripping first half and a more conventional second half.

Notes:

Viola Davis grew up in extreme poverty in Rhode Island, sometimes scavenging for food.
She faced multiple forms of abuse and neglect during her childhood.
Davis has become one of only 18 artists to achieve an EGOT, winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
The book, 'Finding Me', blends her personal story with social criticism, highlighting issues like poverty and discrimination.
She expresses compassion for everyone in her life, including her parents, despite her tumultuous upbringing.
Davis narrates the audiobook herself, adding a powerful personal touch to her story.
Her story includes navigating the Hollywood industry as a woman of color, where she faced numerous challenges.
The memoir touches on complex themes like colorism and its psychological effects on individuals with darker skin tones.
Viola's ascent to stardom included roles that often typecast her in unsavory parts before her breakthrough with 'The Help'.
Many readers found her narrative to be both inspiring and a testament to resilience amidst adversity.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include discussions of childhood abuse, neglect, poverty, and racial discrimination.

From The Publisher:

OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB PICK

A HARPERS BAZAAR BEST BOOK OF 2022

A PARADE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK

A MARIE CLAIRE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK

"It's clear from the first page that Davis is going to serve a more intimate, unpolished account than is typical of the average (often ghost-written) celebrity memoir; Finding Me reads like Davis is sitting you down for a one-on-one conversation about her life, warts and all."-USA Today

"[A] fulfilling narrative of struggle and success….Her gorgeous storytelling will inspire anyone wishing to shed old labels."-Los Angeles Times

In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever.

This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City, and beyond. This is the path I took to finding my purpose but also my voice in a world that didn't always see me.

As I wrote Finding Me, my eyes were open to the truth of how our stories are often not given close examination. We are forced to reinvent them to fit into a crazy, competitive, judgmental world. So I wrote this for anyone running through life untethered, desperate and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get to some form of self-love. For anyone who needs reminding that a life worth living can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be . . . you.

Finding Me is a deep reflection, a promise, and a love letter of sorts to self. My hope is that my story will inspire you to light up your own life with creative expression and rediscover who you were before the world put a label on you.

Ratings (20)

Incredible (9)
Loved It (8)
Liked It (2)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (54):

Read It (19)
Want To Read (18)
Did Not Finish (3)
Not Interested (14)
 
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