Viola’s memoir was far and away the most brilliantly told story of a life that I have ever heard. To hear it told in her voice feels like a treasure, an unexpected gift just for me. I actually stood up in church on Mother’s Day, being about half way through the book, and told everyone that no matter how criticized we may be or feel as mothers, women, daughters, we criticize ourselves most deeply. I told them about Viola hearing from God that she thanked him for all sorts of things, but that she had never thanked him for making HER. She is beloved, perfection to her Heavenly Father and so are we all. I had tears when I shared because the story she was telling me of learning who she was broke and nurtured my heart all at once. What an incredible blessing to have heard Viola Davis tell me her story. Thank you, Viola!

I absolutely love the book and enjoyed the author's reading of her memoir! Superb‼️

This book is awesome!!! Period!

I always liked Viola Davis but I didn't know why, there was just something about her, and now I know why. Talk about a story of survival, breaking through the poverty cycle, grit, determination, and the most love and respect for her craft. She is not an actress to make money, she is an actress because she loves the art. Then you add her love for her family and wow. She is one in a million. Viola Davis is a force to be reckoned with. I am so thankful she uses her voice countless times over to stand up for what she believes in. We need more women like her. Thank you Viola Davis.

I really love this book was inspiring and it was great to listen to a great journey through her life as a child to adulthood

This needs to be a movie! Viola Davis was an amazing narrator and her story was so filling. Yes, Yes, Yes movie me please. The book had me smiling wanting to cry and wanting more. So glad I purchased. She is a Gem

I looooooooove it and i love Vi

Viola stood out to me and snatched me off my couch when I saw her perform in "The Woman King". I then binged watched "How To Get Away With Murder" and fell in love even more. During an interview, this book was mentioned and I knew I had to get it but when the young woman interviewer said that to listen to the book in Violas own voice made it that much more powerful, I got the audiobook instead. Who knew this beautiful and talented woman has been right under our noses this entire time! Now that I've heard her story, The Woman King makes it a much more powerful story as if it's Viola herself rising from the tall grass and letting out a primal scream from her soul as if to say, I'm here and nothing or nobody will stop me now that I found myself. Finding me is heart, soul, pain, joy, forgiveness and and love all wrapped up in an effort to let the reader know they are not alone and even famous actors have their moments of fear, self doubt and insecurities just like the rest of us. Thank you for showing us your soul Viola, you truly are a beautiful woman inside and out!

I love this memoir Thank you

This book was authentic and unapologetic which is why I loved it!

I am such a huge fan of Viola and to be able to hear about her life in her voice sent me through the clouds. She is amazing and a true inspiration. I appreciate her honesty and openness. 5 stars! I loved hearing about her childhood and how it plays a part in her life today. One of my favorite stories was about being a guest at George Clooney's. I LOVE all of the stories that involve her mother!!!

I was totally caught off guard by the honesty of Viola’s story. I was captivated in every chapter …..how she tried time and time and time again to overcome the odds stacked against her. . Her belief in God, love of her parents, siblings and friends helped her persevere. The best thing about Viola’s story is that she remained true to herself…REAL!! A realist!!! Towards the end I sympathized with her story regarding the death of her dad. I too was in that same situation with my mom. It’s very painful …not wanting to let go! Holding their hand as if it would bring them back to life. Also I’m sooo glad her husband, and friend was at her side every step of the way. One of the best books I’ve read in a while in this category!!

Excellent book and excellent narration. Viola did her own narration and told her own story. She made me feel what her life was as a child.

This read was a read filled with emotions I never knew I had. Viola’s ability to tell this story is one to be applauded. Most would have walked away spending life as if the injustices she experienced never happened. Thank you Lady Davis for a job well done.

Thank you, Viola. This was a great and very moving ride. Your audiobook is a gift and an embrace to all of us who know trauma by experience. I cried not only once while listening to your life‘s story. Yet you give so much hope and power and joy by owning and sharing all that is you. So again - thank you from the buttom of my heart.

Excellent depiction, the experience is very vivid!

Throughly enjoyed this book! The fact that Viola was the voice I was hearing made it even better! I have always admired her as a woman, now I admire her even more! I would recommend this to all the women in the world! When we all tell our truths, the world will be a better place! Thank you Viola for telling your truth! Central Falls was a pretty bleak place in 1981…. I know!

Absolutely loved every moment of this book!!

Love it! very Inspiring!

SUPERB! She's brilliant. It was mesmerizing.

amazing book! i could listen to it time and again! def an amazing gift

As a young black woman trying to build a platform for herself in the U.S. this book was everything to me! Prior to reading this memoir I had no clue how rough Viola Davis road was to stardom. This book touches on self realization, childhood trauma and overall determination. 10/10, it being read in her voice helps to put the reader into the setting with ease!

Adore her. Heavy read but very real and worth the time. Resilience!

So happy that she was able to overcome everything

I loved it, I started not to listen to it because of cursing, I was turned of but I went back months later and I am very glad I did. I loved it. Proves you can’t just a book by the cover, you must read the book. She doesn’t look like what God brought her through

Really well written and narrated. I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying this book. She is so inspiring.

Great read. Crudely narrated, but perhaps deliberately so cz it really brings home the upbringing of such a wonderful actor. The brilliance of her voice training shines through

Absolutely beautiful Must read

Very good audiobook

A raw, brutally honest memoir. Viola is such a strong woman, and her story was a pleasure to read.

She is perfect! Her story and told by herself is pure strenght and inspiration. Couldn't stop! Astonishing!

Excellent

This book was incredible. The best memoir I’ve read. Not only was Viola Davis’ life story amazing and engaging, but her narration was impeccable. Such emotion conveyed through every word. I would recommend this book to anyone. Just brilliant.

This book was just wonderful

Perfect!

Such a well done memoir! Was locked in from the beginning!

I re-listened to this book three times and will buy a hard copy. Incredible read.

Exceptional book and great narrator execution! Very REAL!

Loved every bit of this memoir. Thank you for sharing who you are and how you feel!

I enjoyed every bit of this book

Thank you for sharing your story.

I read it first, then choose her book to be my first Audible !! Wow oh wow! I can listen to her voice everyday, The realness in it all. It’s deep and it’s sooooooooooo Amazing. I will probably listen to again this year.

I couldn't stop listening

Excellent book.

She is Awesome

I adore viola’s voice ! It’s so calming ! This is a really great book.

This memoir is a must read! This audio version is the best way to appreciate her story told in her own voice. Viola is a force to reckon with! Could not get enough of it… listened to it twice… just excellent!!

Excellent book. The book was riveting. Viola’s narration kept you intrigued. You felt her pain and her joy. It was well done! Must read it again !

Riveting!! What a beautiful story about survival and determination. Very inspiring and enlightening!

One of the BEST books I have ever read!

This book provides gut punch after gut punch. I loved it.

Amazing from beginning to end.

Excellent and very Transparent

Loved it! I cried I laughed I got angry but the joy of knowing that she made it overcomes it all. A must read!

...Brutally. Honest. Vulnerability at its Strongest

Absolutely loved this reading, Viola is excellent and the book very well written. It's a beautiful well-rounded story.

Viola's story is incredibly compelling. She tells it in such a way that you see that she is a beautiful, broken, intelligent, talented woman.

Loved this book and narrator!!

I never knew that autobiographies could be so awesome! The author reading their stories makes it more appealing. Being able to hear Ms. Davis' story showed that celebs can be just like us.

I rarely listen to books, but I am happy that this book caught my immediate attention...Viola is amazing

Really good book

Powerful. Beautifully narrated. A must “listen.”

Such a great book!

Simply beautiful. I listened nonstop from the beginning to the end.

This book was amazingly awesome. It's one of my favorite reads. Such a touching, Inspiring and Motivating book. Thanks for sharing your life story, Viola!

I love this book! Absolutely amazing

I loved the book and all the feelings that come along while listening to her story, a story of survival, love, success and so much more. It captured me from the first moment till the end!! I also bought the book as i plan on reading it again!!

Wow! What a life! A wonderfully told story! And to be told in her own voice makes it so real! She is a smooth and steady narrator. You won’t be disappointed.

Absolutely loved this book. Riveting. Viola Davis’ narration of her memoir was one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever heard.

Absolutely Beautiful! Thank you for gifting us an opportunity to witness your divinely co-created journey of coming home to yourself and acknowledging the divine within and around you! Thank You!

This book was awesome!!!! I loved hearing Viola tell her own story! She brought the book to life! Her story inspired me to do a lot of self reflection and begin therapy. “My biggest discovery was that you can literally re-create your life. You can redefine it. You don’t have to live in the past.” ~ Viola Davis

Excellent memoir. A raw look at society 'and the affects of systemic racism that still exists. Viola being willing to share her story can help others who society oppress, to press forward and know their worth regardless of what others may say. yes black is beautiful sexy strong smart and in site of everything can still succeed .

I was so locked into her story. It made me smile, laugh, cry and be proud of how strong she had to be during her upbringing. Her Voice is one of Passion and pain and so much pride! Knowing her story makes her even more of my top favorite actresses.

amazing strong story.

WOW! I’m not sure what to say, other than, thank you. I laughed. I cried. I got mad. I got down right disgusted. I’ve seen you in most all of the movies and tv runs. People are crazy and jealous. Keep on, keeping on. Be blessed!

Brilliantly written , very touching , inspiring and I loved that the author herself narrated her book!

Very moving and inspiring memoir!

Great read

This is a great book! Truly inspiring

Bravo Viola! I loved the book and Viola’s narration is excellent ! The book is inspiring , I’m full admiration and awe at her resilient spirit .

Totally Amazing!

I absolutely loved Viola’s transparency and how she was able to take me along her life’s journey. Hearing her voice made every step more realistic. Through this book I now have an even greater respect for Viola.

This book is one of the best books I've ever read.

The beginning was just that, the beginning and I was had from the start. Mrs. Davis had me hooked; I was having conversations with her and got the answers within moments not to long after. I listen to her read her own memoir baby, she gets all the praise. I love it and I listened to it back to back. I enjoyed the audio so I bought the physical book to sit on my shelf for others. Mrs. Davis thank you for sharing and thank you for narrating this outstanding memoir.

Viola’s narration was deeply moving and powerful. She truly explains what it’s like to live an a world of oppression.

Wow. What a powerful and important life story to share with us. Nobody else could possibly have narrated it but you, Viola. While some of it was difficult to hear, your telling about both the good and the rough parts of your childhood gives hope to those still caught in poverty and injustice.

I can’t say enough about Viola Davis’ memoir and her totally pitch-perfect and real narration through which it is told: stunning, real, courageous, transformative, and alternately so very funny as well as touching, gripping, inspiring, and heartbreaking - a classic for all time. Thank you, thank you, thank you Viola!

Amazing! Complexity and realness of the story almost made me feel I’ll sometimes, but as you progress through Violas voice reading chapters, you start to learn even about yourself and humans in general. I highly recommend the book!

One of the best memoirs I have ever read. Viola Davis not only survived but thrived in a life few people could navigate.

What an amazing woman. And what an amazing honor to hear her story.

I loved it. and I love Viola Davis. she is a great actress.

Absolutely amazing, …. Beautifully articulated. . I was there with every high , every low ~ every breath taken , every pause . I was , and am that eight year old little girl.

This book, this truth is simply a gift to the reader on several levels. Approached with an open mind and heart it will potentially bring you healing…thank you Ms Davis.

Power in every page! This is a life changing read-real, raw and deeply moving.

Viola's voice is intimate and magnetic! Her journey is shocking and then beautiful.

I love Viola. Powerful story and narrated beautifully. Worth every minute!

Loved hearing her story and so glad she narrated it! Definitely recommend this book!

It is a life-changing listen. I will be a fan of her forever.

This memoir touched me from the very beginning. Viola Davis shared her truth and let us into her life in a beautiful way. I loved every bit of it.

Amazingly heart felt sincere cleanse of therapy. Allowing you to peer into yourself openly in order to heal from the past that tries to hold you in bondage. Facing the truth and never giving up on your dreams was Viola’s message as well as allowing yourself to feeling and that healing is ongoing.

I loved this book!

This is an awesome book. After reading my favorite quote is still : Looking back on that night when I stood up to my dad and wiped up my mom’s blood, I knew my life would be a fight. And I realized this: I had it in me. This book is a must read !!!

beautiful. very honest and raw. a great read.

Great book

This is a wonderful book , it was very brave of Viola to face her demons.

love Viola. always excited to see her in movies and now that i get to listen to her own book, it makes me even more excited. the way she describes her own thoughts and beliefs truly makes me feel inspired. a very powerful women for sure! she really brings me to her story like I'm seeing how she describes everything in detail.

Very captivating memoir, relatable on so many levels. Bravo!

I loved this book!

This was the most magnificent experience of “reading” a memoir I’ve ever had! Every time I listened it was like being at a live play. Viola’s story is powerful and her delivery even more so. I highly recommend this book.

It was an interesting story; however, some parts were too difficult for me to listen to and I had to skip those segments. Not that I have had a perfect childhood or life, but I couldn't read about the rats. I preferred the straight story-telling style to the dressed up, more poetic style she slips into on occasion. Those read too much like a practiced monologue. I like Viola Davis. I like her more since I read her story. I'm glad she has the life she has. She deserves every success and every joy.

great read