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kwthor's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Addiction, Cursing, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape and Pregnancy
tutti1908's review against another edition
5.0
I could sit and walk and listen to her for another nine hours, so I hope that she writes another piece of literature to talk more about how she's basking in her happiness and joy now that she has found herself. She is a walking, breathing miracle. It is amazing to see how she radiates light and love these days based on her traumatic past, and we do not deserve her brilliance.
I'm also so glad that I chose to listen to this as an audiobook because I don't know if I would have been able to really get through it in a written format, but listening to her and the tone was just something that I'm always going to appreciate. She spoke about forgiveness, and that's something that I'm dealing with a parent right now.
It's a hard read and there are so many triggers in this book, so do not read it if you feel as though you are more susceptible to damage based on trigger warnings. But if you are in a space where you are decent enough to read or listen, please do so because this was a magnificent, magnificent read and I 100% understand and agree with why she got that Grammy.
Graphic: Abortion, Abandonment, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Grief, Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Cursing, Physical abuse, and Racism
kathrynshields's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, and Physical abuse
oxfordcommas91's review against another edition
4.5
The majority of her memoir takes place in her formative, early years - first, as a highly impoverished child who is bullied relentlessly for both being black and poor, then as a teen and young adult who was still both black and poor but learning about her true passion and chasing it fervently.
While parts of this book were incredibly difficult to listen to (please do note the content warnings on this book and take them seriously - it dives deep into some very traumatic topics like sexual abuse, domestic violence, and losing a parent to cancer), it somehow remained hopeful. Davis’s story was woven with expertise as she shared her thoughtful reflections on these different points in her life and how she arrived to where she is now. This book gives a true, honest account that doesn’t turn away from difficult topics like racism in the film and acting industry. It forces the reader (or listener) to confront difficult truths about how even at the height of her career, Davis herself still felt like an outsider, forced to take the “fun best friend” roles and not the leading lady roles, reserved for her lighter skinned counterparts.
I laughed, I cried, and am so grateful to Viola for sharing her life with the world.
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Excrement, Sexual violence, Grief, Bullying, Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Medical content, Physical abuse, Classism, Domestic abuse, Violence, Dysphoria, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Cursing, and Drug use
princesslo's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Death of parent, Child abuse, Cursing, Abortion, Death, Physical abuse, and Racism
yreluctant's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Abortion, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Rape, Vomit, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Cursing, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infertility, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Alcohol, Child death, Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Animal death
shantellelandry's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Cursing
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Sexual assault
kristinescorner's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Death, Animal death, Blood, Classism, Cursing, Mental illness, Bullying, Cancer, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction and Abortion
itscassie's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Sexual violence, Classism, Death of parent, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Addiction, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Bullying, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual violence, Abortion, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Medical trauma
ayandell5's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug abuse, Addiction, Racial slurs, Racism, and Infertility