Finding Me by Viola Davis chronicles her journey from growing up in poverty in Rhode Island, facing racial discrimination and family challenges, to becoming a globally renowned and award-winning actor. Through perseverance, academic and artistic achievements, and the support of loved ones, she overcomes immense personal and professional obstacles while embracing her identity and heritage. The book mentions and describes domestic and sexual abuse, racism, bigoted language and violence, and substance use and addiction.

Finding Me by Viola Davis is lauded for its raw honesty and emotional depth, capturing her journey from poverty to stardom with compelling narrative and vivid prose. Reviewers praise Davis for her vulnerability and inspirational message. However, some find the pacing uneven and certain sections overly detailed. Overall, it's an impactful and motivating memoir.

A reader who would enjoy Finding Me by Viola Davis is someone interested in compelling memoirs that explore themes of resilience, personal growth, and overcoming adversity. Fans of Becoming by Michelle Obama and The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls will appreciate Davis's candid and inspiring narrative.

Emotional / Inspirational / Challenging / Contemplative / Heartwarming

- Finding Me by Viola Davis won the Grammy Award for Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording in 2023, showcasing Davis's powerful narration of her own life story.
- Viola Davis describes Finding Me as a journey “from God, to fear, to my love story,” highlighting her deep connection to faith and personal growth.
- The memoir includes a detailed exploration of Davis's early life and her ascent in the acting world, framed as an inspirational story rather than a simple recounting of events.

**Viola Davis**  
A renowned actress who has achieved the Triple Crown of Acting, overcoming a childhood marked by poverty and adversity with determination and talent, especially in theater.  

**Mae Alice Davis**  
Viola's mother, who grew up in a challenging environment and is known for her fierce protectiveness of her children along with enduring a complex marriage to Dan.  

**Dan Davis**  
Viola's father, a man troubled by a difficult past, who worked as a horse groomer and later found a sense of responsibility with the birth of his grandchildren.  

**Dianne Davis**  
Viola’s older sister, instrumental in sparking Viola’s ambition to pursue a different future through her encouragement and example of academic overachievement.  

**Danielle Davis**  
Viola’s youngest sister, whose birth brought joy and a sense of responsibility to Viola, deepening their bond as siblings.  

**John Davis**  
Viola’s brother who is not closely associated with her memories of childhood, although his actions have a lasting impact on the family.

**Ron Stetson**  
Viola's drama teacher in the Upward Bound program, who inspired her love for acting and was the first to significantly boost her self-confidence. 

**Alan Langdon**  
One of Viola's instructors at the Circle in the Square summer program, who helped her integrate personal insights into her acting.

**Julius Tennon**  
Viola's husband, an actor whose alignment with her values and background provided the foundation for creating a loving and stable family.

Viola Davis

Adult

Autobiography / Memoir

Nonfiction

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Finding Me: A Memoir

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