Scan barcode
bethanyt123's review against another edition
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Stalking, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Classism
aclark225's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
murph_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Viola speaks about so many incredibly difficult moments with the kind of grace one only gains by surrendering to loving people for exactly who they are. Her love for her family is her driving force.
Would definitely recommend listening to the audiobook! It feels like having coffee with a lifelong friend with an incredible story.
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Abortion, and Alcohol
dorhastings's review against another edition
5.0
I thought about starting this review with "if ever a memoir earned five stars, it's this one" and that then felt somewhat judgy of me. I mean, sure, I am literally judging the book by rating it with stars, but really, what am I judging? The author's authenticity? A good story that I deem to be enjoyable? Good writing? Memoirs can be tricky things to write. How do you know you've experienced *enough* to write one? I have judged some memoirs as being less than because I didn't like the story, the personality, or the writing, but they were certainly authentic. Some folks want more details, while some authors just don't feel comfortable doing so. It's their memoir, after all.
What makes this book so powerful, for me, is all that Davis endured throughout her life, especially in her younger years. She knows poverty, and embarrassment of poverty, and she is generous and visceral in her descriptions. It was hard to hear about her father beating the crap out of her mother on a regular basis. You wonder "why didn't her mother just leave her father?" and the answer isn't simple. Especially when you learn years later how much her father has changed.
Davis is heartfelt and thorough in her explanation of her life circumstances, her resistance to listening to her therapist, her insight on the racism and sexism that plague the world in general and her profession in particular. She actually talks very little about the specific roles, with some exceptions, but that in no way makes the memoir less than. This isn't a *fun* read. It's a hard read. She is all the more impressive and amazing for all she has gone through, for her determination, and her love.
If you are someone who likes audiobooks, this one is an easy choice. Davis narrates her own memoir and it is tragic and beautiful.
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Animal death
mathenam's review against another edition
4.25
Memoirs seem to always have a narrative that skips around, but that’s the nature of telling a story about a real life. It still felt a little too disjointed in places.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infertility, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Kidnapping, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
savyelizabeth's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism and Bullying
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
anarobin's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Racial slurs, Rape, and Death of parent
chantellei's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Domestic abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Physical abuse and Sexual assault
Minor: Addiction
katofalltrades's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Racism
Moderate: Abortion
thefemale_nickmiller's review against another edition
5.0
I also have to add how happy Viola sounds when talking about her daughter. I can literally hear her smile.
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Death of parent