Book: Finding Me: A Memoir
Author: Viola Davis
Pages: 304
This is my 32nd read for the year
This is the author's own story. She grew up in Central Falls Rhode Island in the poorest of conditions. She often didn't have running water or electricity or heat. Often went to school smelling because they couldn't wash - and didn't know how. Their apartment was rat infested, and because she was a black kid in an almost all white area, she was subject to taunting and teasing on a daily basis.
She and her siblings grew up in an abusive household with little to nothing to eat and hardly any supervision. But a chance encounter changed Viola's direction and lead her to a love for acting. It took her years to find herself and to find love for herself.
I really enjoyed this book. I had no idea she had such a rough start and that a few of her siblings are still struggling. She talks openly about how bad it was, and how even now when she has money, her family asks and asks and asks, but she wants to give it to them. Feels obligated. I really respect Viola - I have always loved her as an actress since I saw her in The Help. She glosses over her career and the aspects of it and focuses more on her life and her family in this book which I appreciated. She speaks freely about how hard it is for people of color - especially those with dark skin like herself - to find varied roles in her business, For a woman who just got an EGOT - she was humble and real in the book and I am glad I read it.
Stars: 4.5
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