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Book Review: Becoming by Michelle Obama

becoming

I love reading memoirs, and Michelle Obama’s inspirational memoir “Becoming” is deservedly a bestseller.

Synopsis

An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States

In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America – the first African-American to serve in that role – she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.

In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her – from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it – in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations – and whose story inspires us to do the same.

My Review

Michelle Robinson was raised in the South side of Chicago by loving parents who supported her in graduating from Princeton and Harvard, before moving into the world of corporate law where she mentored Barack Obama and they fell in love.
In this well written and powerful memoir she shares how her father suffered from MS and although it became a struggle, he never shied away from work as a water pump operator. Her mother remained a stay at home mum encouraging both Michelle and her brother Craig on their life’s journey.
She recounts the challenges she faced in becoming a mother to her two daughters Malia and Sasha, and the struggles to maintain a balance between work and motherhood as she moved into community based law.
Once Barack’s political career blossomed life brought a different set of challenges, and Michelle shares how she coped with bigotry, media comments on her fashion sense, her body shape, her facial expressions…
Despite these and many other challenges she writes from her heart of the visits she made to military hospitals, sharing hugs with many people in pain, including parents who had lost family to shootings.
The first project she set up in The White House and a cause close to my heart, was the creation of an edible garden, inviting children to help in its creation and to learn the importance of healthy eating.
Meeting the Queen and Nelson Mandela were highlights shared with her readers, while many low points were equally candid.
I finished this book feeling hugely impressed by Michelle and Barack’s dignity of character and the sheer amount of hard work they endured in aspiring to make the world a better place.
The final paragraph is particularly powerful:
“It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about where you get yourself in the end. There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there’s grace in being willing to know and hear others. This, for me, is how we become.”

60 comments

  1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Michelle Obama’s book “Becoming” I enjoyed your post immensely as Michelle and Barack Obama are one of the few who have passed through the White House that I have had respect and admiration. Gratitude.

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  4. Brigid, a superb review of a book that touched me deeply. How true that Michelle Obama’s dignity shines through and her energy for work and home life seemed to have no end. I too was enthralled by her childhood life, her parents … they set the building blocks for their daughter’s life! An inspirational and empowering book and I loved reading your review! Have a great rest of the week. Happy Reading! 😀

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  7. I am currently reading Michelle Obama’s memoir, and enjoying it immensely. I often get discouraged and disgusted with the poison that has replaced the Obamas in the White House, but this book is a reminder that they are still with us. There is something better in our natures that will one day come to the surface again.

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  12. A book I haven’t yet read, Brigid but one for which I have seen very many positive reviews and now your review of what seems to be a very good read about a lady I have much admiration for 🙂

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  19. I’ve got a copy of this but I’ve not read it yet. I never thought I’d particularly want to read this book, let alone own it, but curiosity got the better of me. So many 5* reviews, glowing comments about how inspiring and incredible it is. Glad to hear you enjoyed it too, I’m looking forward to giving it a read! xx

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  21. This a great review of Michelle’s book. I still havent finished it, almost there. I do love her book and her writing style. And tgeir story is so inspiring to me. It is ine of the best books i have read , meaning it really made me think and question life a lot more.

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  22. I read this one as well and I learned a lot from her book! Definitely worth the read. You did a good job providing a short insight on her book. Great review!

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  25. This was my favorite reading of a memoir this year!! After starting to read this book I couldn’t put it down. It’s by far my favorite read this year. Now I’m reading Stacey Abrams. Lead from the Outside – How to build your future and make real change.

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  26. This was my favorite reading of a memoir this year!! After starting to read this book I couldn’t put it down. It’s by far my favorite read this year. Now I’m reading Stacey Abrams. Lead from the Outside. Visit my blog page to learn more about her book

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  27. I enjoy reading memoirs as well, but I hadn’t thought about reading this one yet. Your review has got me intrigued. I may have check this book out. This is a great review.

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