Becoming by Michelle Obama

 

Summary (from the publisher): 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.

Review: In moving and reflective prose, Michelle Obama tells us her life story, one filled with meaning and potential reached. Raised in a one-bedroom apartment in her aunt's house on the South Side of Chicago, her parents poured everything into young Michelle, who worked hard to be a diligent, high achieving student. Once she had made it to the summit - graduating from Harvard law school and returning to Chicago to work for a top law firm - she felt unfulfilled and at loose ends. Enter a man named Barack Obama, who was interning at her law school that summer. 

I had heard so much praise for this book and wondered if it would live up to the hype. This was so compelling and so well written. There was something incredibly moving to see her humble beginnings and tight family unit of her childhood. I was particularly inspired by the quiet perseverance of her father, who fought his disease and associated disability for years without ever complaining. I cried when she described his death. 

Before reading this, I really knew little about the personal lives of the Obamas. I loved getting such a personal, behind the scenes look at their lives, one that can only be shared now that he is no longer president. In particular, I was surprised by how reticent she was for her husband to ever venture into the world of politics. It's clear that while she was ultimately supportive, becoming first lady was very daunting and a huge shift, and not one that she especially welcomed. Her devotion to her girls was also admirable. In many ways, she had to be a single mother for large stretches in her girls' childhood as her husband's job took him all over the country. 

The bulk of this book focused on her childhood and early career. I felt like the book rushed through their time in the White House, as if she was less willing to share many details there. While she certainly carefully edited what she shared for her family's privacy, I still loved the inside look into her life. This was a beautifully written life story. 

Stars: 4