HarperCollins Finding Me: A Memoir

As soon as I heard the news all those months ago that Viola was releasing a book, I jumped at the chance of pre-ordering. After watching her numerous career defining performances over the years in Ma Raineys Black Bottom, HTGAWM, Fences, she opens up a chapter that is not always so accessible to the public. In ‘Finding Me’, we are reminded that this woman is not only one of the greatest actors of all time, but a truly courageous survivor. Congrats on everything, Viola!

Viola Davis has become one of the most respected actors of hers and possibly any other generation. Still in her mid-fifties, she's won all possible awards, not only in cinema but in the theatre and TV, and has made 91 movies to date, yet she does have indeed a long career ahead of her.With a non-conventional look, she started being often cast as the dull public servant (Traffic and Syriana), teacher (Doubt) or the repudiated girlfriend (Out of Sight). She exploded in The Help, a very good movie crowded with excellent actresses and magnificent performances. Yet the best bit of that film is, by and large, Davis' constant and restrained pain, even if the Oscar in that one went to the wrong actress. But from that moment Viola started carrying the pictures, yet never leaving completely characters coming from the plot's sidelines; or, as she tells it quite funnily in this book, it took her almost 20 years (until "How to get away with murder") to have a husband and a lover in the same movie, something almost all white actors, men and women, do have early in their careers. But excellent works in cinema, as well as in TV and theater, made her a star.When the book was announced months ago it was a nice surprise. The woman we love to love on the screen will tell her life. And now, down to matters, how good is the book?It is good, sincere, shocking and well written. Ms Davies has pulled no stops and she does tell the poverty (or "po" i.e. below poverty, as her family called it), the sexual abuses, the family dramas and a painfully slow ascent to Hollywood stardom. The first half of the book is the best. The appalling conditions of a household plagued with violence, alcohol abuse and incest are sometimes a hard read, but the author keeps us in line. There's always an anecdote to lighten the text - the ‘bullfrogs’ and some characters around the family; and these are very welcome.Then comes the "call" to the stage and a slow progression to the top. Ms Davies never ceases to be star-struck, as when she 's invited to George Clooney's house in Italy or when she's so overwhelmed that she acts merely silly in front of Meryl Streep the first time they met. This part, the ascent to stardom, is good, but a tad conventional - there’s less passion and the tale is more a Hollywood chronicle. However, thatnks to the author's warmth, the text progresses well and in the end we finish the read closer to the writer and at the same time wanting to know more about her.On the bad side? Not much. Too many references on money and salaries. Ms Davies tells us how much she made at every single step of the ladder. Also, the book is written by an actor (and a very good one) and often a producer, but we read little of the process of the movies beyond the audition (and the salary), and many important pictures, directors and fellow actors are not mentioned beyond a tiny anecdote, if that. We expected a bit more than gossip or superficial comments and more from a privileged view of the movie business.But in the end, it is a good book by a wonderful actor and an even better even human being.A side note. Apart from an autobiography, this book is, to these eyes, an obvious cry to the Governments and specifically to that of the USA. It is appalling and unjust and simply inadmissible, that a family of six children has to suffer as Ms Davies did: at sub-zero temperatures in a small and deranged flat, rats-infested, without electricity, warm water, or often without water at all because the pipes froze and blocked for days at a time. And this did not happen in Dickensian days but in the mid-seventies and only a handful of miles away from the New York of Wall Street and Park Avenue. Capitalism is the only economic system that works. Fact. But not everything can be left to the "invisible hand" and the powers of the market. The states, starting with the more powerful ones, cannot have citizens, whole families, living in those conditions and must have in place a social security system in place, effective enough so parts of their populations do not starve or freeze to death. Viola Davis’ story is that of her family as well as of many families suffering the same today. And that's as much inadmissible as it is avoidable.

We know Viola Davis because of the appearances on stage and screen. With FINDING ME, however, she delivers what might be her "appearance" best yet. The book shares stories I had never heard before and levels of despair that could have easily broken anyone.Layer upon layer she shows us where her heart, determination, grit and resilience were birthed---and holds a mirror up to us all to remind us of what is possible.Reading this it makes her well-deserved success even more amplified and poignant. She has not just earned her place in the entertainment industry. FINDING ME shows how she realized the place she deserves in the world.You'll reflect, smile and feel the rollercoaster of emotions she has become known for bringing to life in the characters she plays. Now, though, we can root for her in showing up for her greatest role: the best version of herself. Bravo, Ms. Davis. Job well done.

Must read book. A very honest and revealing memoir. Doesn't matter what your back ground or your experiences in life you can still succeed.

Brought this for my partner, after seeing Viola' s interview with Oprah. My partner is loving it. Says, when reading it, you can so hear Viola's voice in every word. I shall be reading it next.