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m_liz's review
5.0
Graphic: Racism and Sexual assault
oxfordcommas91's review
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, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, Violence, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Classism
koslo1aj's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
princesslo's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Abortion, and Death of parent
lily_sutton's review
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault
Minor: Rape, Abortion, and Death of parent
megbetweenthepages's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
vanessagrausam's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Racism and Sexual assault
Moderate: Infertility and Racial slurs
mattyvreads's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual assault
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: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Violence, Grief, Abortion, and Death of parent
jasminesreadingcorner's review against another edition
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Death of parent