Becoming, Michelle Obama, Crown, 2018, 421 pp
THE SUNDAY FAMILY READ
I have not bought too many hardcovers this year (more than I planned but not too many) but I bought this one. It is the best political memoir I have ever read, because it is by a female and because this female is an outstanding human being!
This is the story of her whole life so far, so it is actually a mid-life autobiography. To learn about the factors that went into making one your heroines is an astonishing experience. I loved how much she lets you in to her heart, mind, and personality.
What is it really like to be First Lady? Well, you will learn that in this book. Any novelist who plans to write a fictionalized First Lady should read this for research.
What is it like to be married to the endlessly hopeful, always reading, never tiring Barack Obama? It is not easy, as you could imagine, but she loves him so much!
What is it like to raise two daughters for eight years in the White House? A challenge and she met it with her usual grace and humor. What a cool mom!
I think what I loved most though was reading about her worries, her insecurities, her obsessions. I bet she even played them down some, because come on, a Black woman in her position?
"When they go low, we go high." Channeling Martin Luther King, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison and every long-suffering, long-loving Black mother who lives to make sure her children grow up, make a life, realize some dreams. As far as I am concerned that statement is the first commandment for making positive change. Michelle Obama's story is a handbook for how it is done.
I admit I spend far too much time on toxic Twitter. I can't stop, no matter how riled up and anxious I get. Becoming was like the ultimate anti-anxiety, anti-depressant. I don't take those in pill form, I get that effect from reading about heroic people who truly effect change. I was reminded that this time we are having now, this too shall pass. I was reminded that we were set an example of what leadership looks like, what patriotism looks like, what social justice looks like, by two people with all their perfect imperfections who actually give way more than a f*#k about our country and the world.
Becoming is an incredible achievement. Just read it!
(Becoming is available in hardcover on the shelves at Once Upon A Time Bookstore.)
Bravo on your review of Becoming!! It's on my reading wishlist and I look forward to read it... Hopefully, in 2019, I'll get to it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa. I am sure you are going to love it!
DeleteI would like to read this though my wife will likely get to it before I do. Michelle Obama's positivity certainly does seem like an antidote to some of the horrible stuff going on.
ReplyDeleteYou and your wife can have book club at home! That is what we do here when we read the same books.
DeleteI don't usually read autobiographies and memoirs, but I might make an exception for this. I do so admire Michelle Obama and the way she handled - and still handles - all the racist shit she has had to deal with while maintaining her grace and dignity. What an wonderful example she is to her daughters and to everyone's daughters.
ReplyDeleteIf you read it, you will learn how she does all those amazing things.
DeleteGood review, Judy. It sounds she got pretty candid about her life so far.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carmen. She did indeed.
DeleteI'm glad to hear you liked this novel!
ReplyDeleteI did but it is memoir, not fiction.
DeleteWonderful Judy! One of your best reviews, as usual. I'm pumped up about it! Best political memoir -- that's pretty high remarks. I'm on the list at the library. Just the whole thing sounds Outstanding.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan! Ha, I can't wait for you to read it!!
DeleteI have just added that to my TBR pile and will tackle it as soon as I have finished my other chunky books.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your review which I will read after I finished my book.
You will be the first European to comment here on Becoming. I hope you like it but I will be interested in your views about it.
DeleteYou know you will hear about it as soon as I've finished.
DeleteHappy weekend!
I'm looking forward to this one. Cheers and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteIt is a winner! Happy New Year to you Carole!
DeleteI have read and reviewed the book now, as well.
ReplyDeleteBecoming made it straight to my list of all time favourites.
Please, feel free to ask any questions you want about this book.
Have a good day,
Marianne
Great! I'll be right over to read your review!
DeleteThanks. As you said, we have a similar point of view. What a great book, what a great lady.
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