Finding me - Viola Davis

How I discovered it 

In the airport. While waiting for the gate to be announced I got lost between the books. The tile was just the perfect match with my overall mood. I felt that I was going through a crisis and losing myself. I opened the book and the first quote I’ve seen ‘’May you live long enough to know your purpose’’ made me realise that there is hidden treasure in this book. 

Who should read it ?

When you think life is hard, and the light at the end of the tunnel is gone, that’s when you should read this book. There is no gender nor age perfect for this book, because it can fit and have an impact on everyone.  

Summary and impact on me

In simple words this book is Viola’s Biography. Viola Davis is an American actress and producer. She played in famous movies such as The Woman King, How to get away with Murder, Hunger Games. In all these years as an actress she had been awarded an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. 

In this book she tells her story from a child that grew in poverty to an Oscar winning actress. She grew up in Rhode Island , US, in poor conditions, where food was always a luxury. Viola details her poverty and race experiences as well as how she overcame her trauma. 

Even if she lacked the basics in life, nothing could stop her from pursuing a career in acting. She saw her mother being abused, her father struggling with addition and later on her sister. She faced racism in school and work. She struggled with fertility. But yet nothing was a barrier strong enough to stop her from learning, trying and working. 

How the book changed me 

Jesolo, Italy August 2023. I was by the beach, surrounded by the waves of the sea. The sun was burning and I didn’t have sunscreen, but I didn’t care because getting tanned was more important. All the abundance in the world was flowing around me. My boyfriend by my side, unlimited food and aperol and yet my tears were flowing like a river. As a tough skin girl myself, it is difficult to cry but Viola touched my soft spot. 

This book grounded me. We take food, family, health, money for granted and often forget that what for us is the basic for others is a luxury. 

Conclusion
Fantasting book with beautiful writing and a glorious story. This book has opened new paths towards memories and biographies.