Book Review: Becoming by Michelle Obama

Listening Length: 19 hrs 3 min
An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States.
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.

I had this in my TBR pile since last year. I am glad that I decided to go for the audiobook version, as it is narrated by Michelle Obama herself, and it is quite well done. I understand the audio production was done by another party, but her reading was good and I think we got an extra layer of nuances thanks to this.

The book is more or less divided into three parts. The first is about Michelle’s childhood and youth before meeting Barack. Some people found this part dull but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing where Michelle came from, and how many of her concerns were the same as mine, even though our situations are very different. The second part is about the first years with Barack, how they met, and how their relationship evolved. The third part is about their life at the White House. Again, some may have preferred a different kind of book, but I found pleasure in being able to take a peek into their daily lives. Michelle was accused several times of being an angry person, but I fully understand her. One of her goals in life is fighting injustice, and sadly, injustices are so common that it is almost impossible not to get angry at the world at times.

Some events regarding Barack Obama’s presidency may have been biased, but this is his wife’s autobiography, so I am okay with this. I truly believe both are kindhearted people with good intentions in a world that is rotten. I felt inspired by Michelle and was able to relate to her in so many ways. It is true that some people might not have the same luck or opportunities, but as part of a minority, I recognize the obstacles she has encountered, and the opportunities she wanted to create for the people she met along the way.

I would recommend this book more interested in the person herself, not about political facts.

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lomeraniel

My name is Elena. Since I was a little child I loved science fiction and fantasy, and I can’t resist a good novel. In 2015, while wait I started to listen to audiobooks and I discovered the pleasure in being able to read while doing my daily tasks, so there’s always an audiobook playing on my phone. If you see me with my Bluetooth headphones on, please be gentle, I get easily startled.

I live with my boyfriend, which I met during my six-year stay in Belgium, four cockatiels, eight lovebirds, and a hamster in Madrid, Spain; and I like to spend my free time knitting and sewing while listening to audiobooks.