Finding Me: A Memoir
Written by Viola Davis
Narrated by Viola Davis
5/5
()
Family
Resilience
Personal Growth
Family Relationships
Survival
Rags to Riches
Mentor
Hero's Journey
Chosen One
Power of Education
Fish Out of Water
Coming of Age
Mentor Figure
Coming-Of-Age
Power of Family
Self-Discovery
Education
Personal Growth & Self-Discovery
Childhood Trauma
Love
About this audiobook
Winner of the 2023 Grammy for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording!
Audie Award Winner for Audiobook of the Year!
Narrated by Viola Davis
In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever.
This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City, and beyond. This is the path I took to finding my purpose but also my voice in a world that didn’t always see me.
As I wrote Finding Me, my eyes were open to the truth of how our stories are often not given close examination. We are forced to reinvent them to fit into a crazy, competitive, judgmental world. So I wrote this for anyone running through life untethered, desperate and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get to some form of self-love. For anyone who needs reminding that a life worth living can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be . . . you.
Finding Me is a deep reflection, a promise, and a love letter of sorts to self. My hope is that my story will inspire you to light up your own life with creative expression and rediscover who you were before the world put a label on you.
Editor's Note
Dedication…
“It’s an eenie, meenie, miny, mo game of luck, relationships, chance, how long you’ve been out there, and sometimes talent,” says Davis when pressed to describe her professional triumphs. While the Oscar and Tony winner remains modest, her emotional memoir chronicling her journey from growing up in a rat-infested apartment to Julliard and beyond is an uplifting story of hard work and dedication.
Viola Davis
VIOLA DAVIS is an internationally acclaimed actress and producer, known for her exceptional performances in television shows like 'How to Get Away with Murder' and movies like 'Fences' and 'The Help.' She is the winner of an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, and two Tony Awards, and in 2021 she won a Screen Actors Guild award for her role in 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'. In both 2012 and 2017, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Davis is also the founder and CEO of JuVee Productions, an artist driven production company that develops and produces independent film, theater, television, and digital content.
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Reviews for Finding Me
3,344 ratings440 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be an incredible, heartachingly hopeful and inspiring memoir. Viola Davis's raw and revealing story resonates deeply with readers, especially those who can relate to her experiences as a dark-skinned Black woman. The book is praised for its powerful narration by the author herself, which adds to the emotional impact. Readers appreciate the authenticity, humanity, and courage portrayed in the book. Overall, this memoir is a remarkable and remarkable read that leaves a lasting impression. It is highly recommended for anyone seeking a story of strength, inspiration, and self-discovery.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Every word was an awakening of self. Thank you for your vulnerability.
2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Oh my.... so captivating!I vividly saw every word she spoke! Thank you for sharing your life with us! Bless you!
2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It's Viola Davis
Human touch
I am from India, still felt so related to her story.
I am also an actress and got great and truthful learning lessons on acting.. it's all about finding oneself ?
Paridhi Sharma
India1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Viola’s is a powerful story that leaves you drained but not hopeless. brilliantly read!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Finished today, yes 1 day and done! Love it. Such provocation of thought, inspiration, empathy, and compassion is sparked.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Such a poignant, honest retelling of her life. I couldn’t stop listening to it. Through the tears and triumphs, I was able to walk with her every step of the way.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5So much experience, strength and hope. I love how she speaks so candidly.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Awesome, honest, pure, and lovely. I loved it and finished it in one day!!!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What a wonderful autobiography of a beautiful soul. I love the way she came through the diversities of life like the firebird myth. I think everyone who wants change in their life for the better can benefit from this book.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5While I enjoyed reading Viola Davis’ store, this book made me sad. Sad that her childhood and family life was so hard. Her life however is a great testimony to be determined to pursue your dreams. We really don’t know what people do to get where they are. There’s a saying that goes, you just see my glory but you don’t know my story. This book is a must read and an encouragement that all things are possible.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Absolutely wonderful!! What an exploration into self-discovery. My heart is full for her and have even more respect after learning about her life and story of triumph. Loved every word!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I enjoyed every bit of listening to Viola's story. I could literally visualize everything she narrated. I would recommend this book for anyone who needs to find him or herself.
Good read!!!1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Book was rather sad, but really enjoyed listening to Viola's story. She a magnificent actress and she wonderful story teller. She really beat the odds.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Best book I’ve ever read ! The narration won a Grammy and it was well deserved.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Two nuggets: You never know what other people are going through or have been through. Be a beacon of hope for somebody. I doesn’t cost you anything to be nice- you might make somebody’s day.
2nd, live your life- that’s what you are here for!
Stay Blessed!1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It is the most powerful and empowering memoir I have read this year. Absolut magic.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Exquisite, masterful telling by Viola Davis. Absolutely loved this book.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Thank you so much Viola Davis for such inspiration.I will be bold to face my fears with more courage,and not let my background define me.I hope one day I will also embrace my pain and suffering in a successful way.May God lead you through your journey,you really touch heart of many especially me as a black woman with the same background as yours.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5LOVED this book. To see a child who lived through hell grow into this passionate, talented, caring woman who had the courage to face her demons, reconcile her past - it's an amazing story. You see her growth every step of the way. She has done the work to rebuild and protect her emotional strength and it's so inspiring.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent!! I enjoyed every minute of this book (and cried several times).
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What an amazing story. There is some rough language but it's transparent and real.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5viola has always been vulnerable with the public, and this memoir is a testament to that. she continues to make sense of some of her own trauma, and to listen was amazing
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5THIS BOOK WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT!!!!!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The vulnerability and authenticity of the author takes us to a retrospective path of understanding the epitome of experiencing a human being through their lens of what reality looked like for them in each season of their lifetime . A big thank you to the author for gracing us with such a beautiful and well written story, what an honor to experience greatness through words!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Honestly and beautifully written. I don't think I could ever be so strong that I would face and share such vulnerability. This woman defines perseverance, not to mention innate and continually developed talent. I loved her performance but had no idea what was in her. Love, love, love this book.
It speaks to all generations and was recommended by my niece who is 30 years younger than I. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5¡Fascinante, inspirador y conmovedor!, lo escuché ahora quiera leer el libro físico.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I started reading after watching The Woman King. The question I had about Viola Davis’ performance in that film was answered 1000 times over in this book. The realness of her lived pain lends authenticity to the characters she portrays as an actor who is committed to her craft. Definitely worth the read!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book was absolutely amazing ! I could feel every part of her story .
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What a heart wrenching memoir! To hear all that Viola went through as a child and yet she came out stronger and inspiring than ever! This memoir will have you questions what you’re doing with your life with all the privileges available! Thank you for sharing this part of you with us Viola!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An amazing story by the author!!!!
I knew she was an amazing actor, but the story reveals how she got there with sheer power, strength and faith!