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dazzlingreader_'s review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Child abuse, Racism, Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, and Abortion
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
bettymer91's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Mental illness
Moderate: Miscarriage, Blood, and Infertility
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
lizzydiazortiz's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Addiction, Bullying, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, Incest, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity
pambo's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Minor: Drug use
lily_sutton's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Racial slurs, and Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent, Abortion, and Rape
mattyvreads's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Racism, Animal death, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, and Racial slurs
emma_reards's review against another edition
5.0
This book is about Viola learning to love herself despite never feeling worthy of that love. She learns to recognize her trauma rather than suppress them, and gives herself permission to forgive and grow from it.
Viola’s childhood is heartbreaking, but her evolution as a person is inspiring. I think everyone can learn some important lessons from this book.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Racism, Rape, Physical abuse, Animal death, Abortion, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Violence, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Mental illness
ramseyreadsbooks's review against another edition
Minor: Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Racism, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Bullying, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault