Released on November 13th 2018 is an intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir. The book tells us how Michelle became who she was and who she is. Split over four chapters, we are brought on a journey by a woman who started her life on the Southside of Chicago and lived at the most famous post code on the earth, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, USA.
Growing up on the southside of Chicago, where she lived in a upstairs apartment with her mother, Marian Shields, father Frasier Robinson III and brother, Craig. Michelle’s parent’s raised her to be outspoken and fearless.
As a child she excelled academically and spoke back to adults. She began playing piano, taught by her strict Aunt, who was always rigid and grumpy. In this reflective memoir, Michelle humbly details the struggles she was faced with in a life filled with accomplishment, juggling family life, her work, and her husbands political career.
The book, narrated wonderfully, provides the reader with a vivid account of her families ascent into international limelight as well as her eight years resident in the White House and all the lessons and knowledge she gained along the way.
Without revealing too much, chapter one, Becoming Me helps us understand the world little Michelle Robinson lived in and all the characters who played a part in shaping her into the powerful and compelling woman she has become.
Michelle, a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, tells us in chapter one “I was ambitious, though I didn’t know exactly what I was shooting for”, she has been a lawyer, a vice president in a hospital, a director of a non profit organisation and the first lady of the US. She reluctantly stepped into public life and has been held up as the most powerful woman in the world.
Her grandfather a vibrant man, with a love for jazz, influenced Michelle in way like no other. Herself and her brother Craig, nicknamed him Southside. While working for a Chicago based law firm, Sidley & Austin, she met her future husband, Barack Obama. She describes the early days of their relationship of how she would refer to him as an “exotic geek” and later described him as a unicorn. It is evident they formed an unbreakable bond from their initial meeting.
Michelle has worked in a variety of roles including the Chicago Mayor’s office, at the University of Chicago and she founded the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, and organisation that prepares youth for careers in public service. She has used her platform as an advocate for women and girls in the US and around the world.
She tells us how she managed to raise two down to earth daughters, ploughed through carpool Karaoke and how she wanted to contribute to creating a more inclusive society. Michelle has shared her inspiring story with her readers leaving us wanting to know more. She tells us what she really thinks of current US president, Donald Trump.
A powerful, eloquent and moving book, her intellect and candid humour shine through each chapter. She is currently doing a tour “An intimate conversation with Michelle Obama”, to support the memoir, touring across the US and Europe, while donating 10% of each ticket to community groups and charities. The Obamas currently reside in Washington with their daughters, Malia and Sasha. The autobiography serves as an opportunity for us to get to know another side to Michelle Obama. A strong work ethic and a desire to make other people lives better, hopefully we are gifted with a sequel to Becoming.
Sarah Barrett
Image Credit: wikipedia.com