Scan barcode
cecarson's review
5.0
Easily one of the most captivating autobiographies I’ve ever read. I admit I didn’t know much about Cicely Tyson’s life before reading this, but I found her story completely inspiring.
toucansam23's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
sydreadstoomuch's review
4.0
It’s a good read. However, some of the language decisions about Cosby are a choice. I understand it’s a memoir, and she has the right to present her story and how he fits into it the way she chooses but how it was broached made me feel conflicted and it’s my right to comment on that too.
babyruth510's review
4.0
Rounding up from 3 1/2 stars....audio version. Learning about the early life and adversity successful people encounter on their road to success (best if told in a captivating voice filled w/ humor) is the appeal of memoirs for me. But when they go too long I generally lose interest which was the case here. Ms Tyson led a fascinating life and this was worthwhile read/listen but a bit too lengthy.
noelnoie's review
4.0
Like being gathered to the knee of an auntie, Ms. Tyson dropped some real pearls as she shared her journey and lessons through life. I throughly enjoyed this book!
bookishevy's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Cicely Tyson is one of the few actors who intrigued me. There was something unique about the way she carried herself. She was 96 when she died. A memoir at that age makes sense because she's seen it all.
There are so many gems in this memoir, but some stood out to me.
✨️ She fought for roles of strong black women and rebuked roles like maids or over sexualized black women because they were stereotypical (although she never explained why she eventually played the maid Constantine in The Help, she mentioned how few good roles come to black women as opposed to their white counterparts). She also discusses the wage gap between black and white actors.
✨️ She was also finicky about who she worked with and made it a point to collaborate with many black directors and producers.
✨️ Her tumultuous marriage to Miles Davis mirrored that of her parents (some of the scenes from her marriage made me shake my head. He was the love of her life, but he put her through a lot).
✨️ Despite how strained their relationship was, Tyson's mother's approval of her work was the only one that mattered.
I recommend this audiobook. The way it's read by the legendary Robin Miles makes you feel like you're listening to your grandmother. The way Miles says, "Chile..." when she's about to spill some tea made me laugh out loud. Tyson had quite the life and so many stories that involved so many legends like herself. She witnessed so much of Black history. She IS Black history.
In the foreword, Viola Davis talks about what an inspiration Tyson was to her, and I ended this listen feeling inspired myself. Tyson never settled, and though there were times when she considered quitting acting due to frustrations with racism, she persevered. That resilience was reflected in the women she portrayed onscreen and on the stage.
There are so many gems in this memoir, but some stood out to me.
✨️ She fought for roles of strong black women and rebuked roles like maids or over sexualized black women because they were stereotypical (although she never explained why she eventually played the maid Constantine in The Help, she mentioned how few good roles come to black women as opposed to their white counterparts). She also discusses the wage gap between black and white actors.
✨️ She was also finicky about who she worked with and made it a point to collaborate with many black directors and producers.
✨️ Her tumultuous marriage to Miles Davis mirrored that of her parents (some of the scenes from her marriage made me shake my head. He was the love of her life, but he put her through a lot).
✨️ Despite how strained their relationship was, Tyson's mother's approval of her work was the only one that mattered.
I recommend this audiobook. The way it's read by the legendary Robin Miles makes you feel like you're listening to your grandmother. The way Miles says, "Chile..." when she's about to spill some tea made me laugh out loud. Tyson had quite the life and so many stories that involved so many legends like herself. She witnessed so much of Black history. She IS Black history.
In the foreword, Viola Davis talks about what an inspiration Tyson was to her, and I ended this listen feeling inspired myself. Tyson never settled, and though there were times when she considered quitting acting due to frustrations with racism, she persevered. That resilience was reflected in the women she portrayed onscreen and on the stage.
aly_camia's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0