Ellen Frankel

This book is a marvel, a masterpiece - just like the heroic, incredible woman who wrote it. If you have the opportunity to listen to it as an audiobook, I highly recommend! It is narrated by Viola herself and she is a phenomenal voice actor, as you would expect. Viola's story is harrowing, deeply traumatic and sometimes hard to read/listen to because of the abject poverty, violence, abuse and racism she describes in the parts about her early childhood. Her story is also inspiring, uplifting, remarkable and educational (I learned so much from her insider's view of the theater industry and the TV and movie industries!). I LOVED this book. It's so brave. Viola's courage and determination are the threads that run through her entire story. I loved her as an actress before I read the book, now I love her as a person. You will not regret reading this amazing story of struggle, survival, and achievement beyond what most of us can ever imagine.