BEMBRIDGE WINDMILL WI BOOK CLUB
JULY 2024 BOOK CHOICE
Becoming by Michelle Obama
The Book Club Meeting warmly welcomed Members to the first Meeting after the Summer break to discuss a Book Club “First”, an autobiography.
Members generally agreed that this was a book written in a diary format which meant too many details of dates and political information and, to a lesser extent, a more detailed overview of family life once in the White House with Barack as President. They agreed they would have enjoyed it more if there was more detail on their personal family life which would have made it less tedious and dull and a more interesting read.
On saying the above, they enjoyed reading about her childhood and early life depicted at the beginning with her secure and supportive upbringing with her much-liked parents and the relationship with her caring brother Craig, whom she stayed close to her all her life.
It was agreed by most that she was definitely a driven, intelligent lady and together with Barack formed a very powerful couple, albeit with a chalk and cheese relationship which seemed to work to both their strengths. It was thought the book also lacked humour and would have been more interesting to show it also from the children’s perspective. They did love how Michelle’s mother moved through the transitions effortlessly and was a great support to the children throughout. Although one Member had listened to the book on audio which was narrated by Michelle Obama herself and she found it an easier “read” if not a bit lengthy. Several Members found the campaign trails interesting to learn about, and the littering of famous (or indeed infamous!) name-dropping!!
There were a few Members who really enjoyed the book as it was, finding it sensitively written giving a rounded perspective of political, professional and family life and admiration for her dedication to not only her career, but to that of her husband together with the wellbeing of her family. Feeling that her moments of doubt illustrated how much she cared for everyone and everything in her life. BUT there was also one Member who said she actually disliked the book in its entirety as she felt it could have been summed up more quickly – however, she agreed she was not really a fan and would not have chosen one on the American political scene subject or indeed autobiographies as a whole.
A quote from the back cover of the book:
“With unerring honesty 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 “
A few quotes within the text of the book that members liked and felt could perhaps even resonate to:
Her father – “Time is a gift you give to other people”
Her mother – “I’m not raising babies, I’m raising adults”
Michelle Obama describing the ratio of black to white students in Princetown “Poppy seeds in a bowl of rice”
And, my own indulgent favourite quote from the book:
“Nothing changes who you are – it just reveals who you are”
So to generally summarise, it wasn’t quite a “marmite” book as when asking for Members’ final thoughts on the book – nearly all said they did enjoy it, but were disappointed that the family and inside the White House period of their lives was not depicted more prominently as it was her autobiography. But all felt the title of the book summed her up perfectly, a dedicated, passionate, inspiring First Lady.