Book Review: Becoming – Michelle Obama
Today’s book review is a topical one given its Black History Month. It’s also a pure coincidence that timing-wise, it’s come around now for review. I read this book a couple of years ago because it was also Black History Month at the time. I’m not much of a seasonal reader, and that’s something that’s probably going to change this year. That’s why I’ve picked up the likes of Barack Obama‘s A Promised Land and Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi this month.
Today though, we’re not talking about Barack Obama or my other current reads. Instead, we are looking to Michelle Obama‘s memoir, Becoming.
Becoming – Michelle Obama
Genre: Non-Fiction/Memoir
Pages: 440
Audience: Adult
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: 13 Nov 2018
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir; 17 million copies sold worldwide
Now in paperback featuring a new introduction by Michelle Obama, a letter from the author to her younger self, and a book club guide with 20 discussion questions and a 5-question Q&A, the intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States
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 Thoughts
Naturally, Michelle Obama’s life experience overlaps that of the presidency and being the first lady, but that does not define her identity. If Becoming taught me anything, it’s that Michelle didn’t want to feel bound by those restrictions and is far more than a prominent man’s right hand.
But first, we ought to go back to the beginning. Becoming tells the candid story of Michelle‘s upbringing in Southside Chicago. It covers race, naturally, as well as class differences; how she and her family fought against prejudice on a daily basis to make their own way in the world. Sadly, it’s a story I’m sure many can relate to. It’s a difficult topic to talk about, because it feels like I don’t have the authority to. As somebody who didn’t grow up in similar shoes to Michelle, I can’t imagine what it’s like to have to fight for everything you have. Even still, I was able to put myself in Michelle’s position and understand the difficulties she went through. She does a fantastic job of being able to translate her life experiences into one that everyone can imagine and sympathise with.
Of course, though, Michelle in her lifetime went from a reasonably regular life with its struggles – family, career and then having and juggling children on top, to being the First Lady. I didn’t particularly get the vibe from Becoming that Michelle didn’t like politics as much as Barack implies in A Promised land. Instead, she talks about her priority of making sure the children stayed out of the limelight and lived a normal lives themselves. She also talks about charitable works she championed whilst ‘in office’.
If her memoir tells us readers anything, it’s that Michelle is a considerate and well-rounded woman. She has excelled in every role life has thrown at her – being a woman, a career lawyer and mother, before turning her attention to charitable works and supporting youth as First Lady.
Summary
Although I’m not one for politics really, Becoming doesn’t really touch on this aspect of Michelle’s life. If you want to touch on the family of the Obama’s without the political element, Becoming is a great read. It’s also an interesting read if you want to see what hard work and determination can get you – even against the odds.
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