Finding Me
Taking a break from science-fiction books that revolve around a global pandemic, I chose to read this autobiography.
On the pro side, I doubt Viola employed a ghost writer because I could hear Viola’s voice as I read. The book gives a wide angle view of what it is like to grow up in poverty in America while being black. It showed how hard she (and her sisters) worked to lift themselves up out of the darkest, dirtiest situation possible with their shared love. It’s a testament to her will power and the deep inner knowledge that she is worthy of life’s abundance.
At 128, the fires simply got more frequent. The rats multiplied. The first landing stairway had holes leading straight to the basement. A family of eight kidnapped children and two female guardians moved in on the second floor and many bloodied fights, scars, and stitches were a part of our day-to-day life.
On the con side, I felt the book was 80% hardship and only the very last bit was about the joys of her relationship (which was a very positive turning point in her life) and attending award shows.
Viola went to college until she was 28! That is more than 10 years of working her ass off, learning. I would have liked to have known more about that middling time in her life.
Then, prompted by Dianne, we went up for Communion. “Just say Amen after he puts the bread in your mouth.”
I was excited about getting the little piece of bread. When time came to take the bread of Christ, the priest leaned down and whispered, “Are you Catholic?”
Dianne, with her mouth still open, ready, shook her head truthfully, “No.” He motioned for us to leave. I then realized why we had been so closely observed.
After that, we took our Easter money to Leroy Theatre to watch a double feature and eat either hot dogs or large bags of M&M’s.
Anyway, I‘d recommend this book for a flight or for reading on the beach. It doesn’t take too much brain power and it’s a true “rags to riches” story of one of America's great actors.
Lightly recommended.
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