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amsearer's review
5.0
I haven't taken the time to write many reviews lately. This deserved one. Cicely Tyson was a powerful storyteller, a magnificent woman who possessed possibly the most class of anyone I've ever heard of. What a treat it was to read her story in her own words. I'm honestly sad it's over and am mourning her passing all over again.
ifyouhappentoremember's review
3.0
3.5
Cicely Tyson is a legend. She had seen so much in her life and her career was truly remarkable. I had high hopes for this memoir.
I'm trying to figure out why this memoir didn't resonate with me as much as I expected it to. I thought the first 3rd of the book, which details her childhood, was engaging. As the book went on, I found my attention wandering. I wonder if it's because, to me, as her memoir went on, Tyson's narrative voice for her story felt a little emotionally distant. I understand why a large portion of this book is devoted to Tyson's second husband, Miles Davis as he was an important part of her life. But I think I could have done with a little less of Miles Davis.
Cicely Tyson is a legend. She had seen so much in her life and her career was truly remarkable. I had high hopes for this memoir.
I'm trying to figure out why this memoir didn't resonate with me as much as I expected it to. I thought the first 3rd of the book, which details her childhood, was engaging. As the book went on, I found my attention wandering. I wonder if it's because, to me, as her memoir went on, Tyson's narrative voice for her story felt a little emotionally distant. I understand why a large portion of this book is devoted to Tyson's second husband, Miles Davis as he was an important part of her life. But I think I could have done with a little less of Miles Davis.
poetic_bella's review
5.0
Phenomenal Book!! Always a fan of Cicely Tyson it was good to hear her story. Cicely has lived a life full of love, drama, happiness and some sadness. The things I learned about her and Miles Davis blew my mind. If you are a fan of Cicely this is a must read to learn more about her life.
fleurdelis's review
5.0
A book just as amazing as her life!
I’m not sure what exactly I expected when I decided to read this book, but it was more than I’d imagined. Even the forward by Viola Davis made me cry as, even though I obviously didn’t see Cicely play Jane Pittman originally, the first time I ever heard or saw Cicely Tyson was on a random night when I was flipping through channels and saw this beautiful woman. I was hooked. That first time, I didn’t get to see the movie from the start, but I waited until I could. This was before streaming, so I had to wait for it to come on again. I sat and watched the entire movie when I did and I went to find out everything about this woman that I could, but I digress; I’m sure you want to hear more about the book than why I fell in love with this woman.
The book is written from her point of view and from the first page, you can hear her voice in every word. It was so strong that I started crying and had to put down the book for several days. I had been a mess when she passed, just as I had been when another inspiration of mine passed, Maya Angelou. To learn that they were great friends pleased me in ways I can’t describe. The book is so wholeheartedly her that you can almost image she’s sitting right in front of you, telling you these stories like an old friend. Reading parts of her life I had either never heard of or that I’d only seen play out on tv or in news delighted me. She was truly a woman who cared about her craft, but also an snacking human being who cared much about her community and inspires if every day. I read it through a library app, but I’ve decided I want to purchase it. If you love her like I do, you will treasure this book and want your own copy.
I’m not sure what exactly I expected when I decided to read this book, but it was more than I’d imagined. Even the forward by Viola Davis made me cry as, even though I obviously didn’t see Cicely play Jane Pittman originally, the first time I ever heard or saw Cicely Tyson was on a random night when I was flipping through channels and saw this beautiful woman. I was hooked. That first time, I didn’t get to see the movie from the start, but I waited until I could. This was before streaming, so I had to wait for it to come on again. I sat and watched the entire movie when I did and I went to find out everything about this woman that I could, but I digress; I’m sure you want to hear more about the book than why I fell in love with this woman.
The book is written from her point of view and from the first page, you can hear her voice in every word. It was so strong that I started crying and had to put down the book for several days. I had been a mess when she passed, just as I had been when another inspiration of mine passed, Maya Angelou. To learn that they were great friends pleased me in ways I can’t describe. The book is so wholeheartedly her that you can almost image she’s sitting right in front of you, telling you these stories like an old friend. Reading parts of her life I had either never heard of or that I’d only seen play out on tv or in news delighted me. She was truly a woman who cared about her craft, but also an snacking human being who cared much about her community and inspires if every day. I read it through a library app, but I’ve decided I want to purchase it. If you love her like I do, you will treasure this book and want your own copy.
jmtaylor1981's review
3.0
I've read biographies about men and women that I just knew I'd hate but ended up admiring. This is the rare case where I read a biography about someone I admire and ended up disliking. Ms. Tyson come across as braggadocious and often times bitter. Her praise for her peers seemed shallow to me; like who brags about her hat stealing the show at Aretha Franklin's funeral?
My admonition of her is a bit deminished but it still shines through. There's no denying that she has been a force in both her life, her career and her community, and I still love her work.
Off to watch Sounder.
My admonition of her is a bit deminished but it still shines through. There's no denying that she has been a force in both her life, her career and her community, and I still love her work.
Off to watch Sounder.
dentaldiva's review
1.0
I wanted to like this, I did... but, it’s horrible. It’s a long drawn out story of her professional accomplishments. The relationships of her family, marriage and really any depth are all focused in the beginning of the book. I found myself skipping page after page.
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