I have just finished reading “Becoming” by Michelle Obama, which was a birthday present. I am really glad I was given this book, as I would not have bought it myself.
Michelle writes with a clarity and level of detail about her childhood years in particular that I am amazed by. Her ability to articulate relationships with her father, mother, aunty and grandparents without excessive sentiment while conveying her respect, love and compassion brought a tear to my eye on several occasions.
While there is no connection between her black female american upbringing and my own “boy from the bush” childhood Michelle’s writing was able to connect me to the values of these relatives and her strong self awareness. Her ability to reflect and see her own behaviour through these years gave me a deep feeling of her as a special person.
The second half of the book (or there about) brings us to her contact with Barack and the manner in which their relationship foundations were forged and shaped her. Thoughtful observations about her own achievement and approval seeking orientation carry through her outstanding academic and early professional life.
My world was filled with hopeful, hardworking people who were obsessed with their own upward mobility. They had new cars and were buying their first condos and liked to talk about it all over martinis after work.
-Michelle Obama Becoming Page 101
This quote might seem like Michelle is criticising her peers behaviour, which she is not. It is just made to enlighten the reader to her own state and how she began to slowly become aware of different options for a meaningful life.
This is a wonderful book about someone special.
