Brandice's Reviews > Finding Me

When I heard last year that Viola Davis had a memoir coming out in April, I excitedly added Finding Me to my TBR list and also thought, I actually don't know that much about her but I do know I'm a huge fan — I loved How to Get Away With Murder.

Viola shares her life story, from early childhood in true poverty in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to finding a love of acting and realizing that's what she wanted to do, to pursuing her dream and accepting herself. She is one of six children, grew up in a crowded home where her dad was abusive to her mom, and her and her siblings often went hungry and unclean. My heart broke listening to the stories Viola shared, including befriending kids who she knew would invite her over after school so that she would be fed at their houses. No child should have to think strategically like this in order to eat.

After high school, Viola went to Rhode Island College then on to Juilliard to study acting. She provides the bleak statistics surrounding the film industry and how few actors and actresses are actually able to make it in this space. We all know it's competitive but the information she notes is stark. She starred in roles on Broadway then made an entrance into film and TV. She took most jobs where she could and frequently battled the whitewashing in Hollywood. When Viola did succeed, she sometimes experienced self doubt, with industry standards, in part, to blame.

She also talks about her personal life, sharing health challenges, meeting her husband, and adopting her daughter. Viola is vulnerable and honest and I have a deep appreciation for not just the excellent actress she is, but the person she is — Someone who overcame so much, who will shed labels and be true to herself. The audiobook of Finding Me is narrated by Viola and this is, in unshocking news, the way to go.