Jenifer Lewis

Very entertaining, with some lessons that we all can learn from.

I love memoirs, and when I saw the video trailer of Jenifer Lewis reading an excerpt from this book, I knew I had to get it on Audible. I was not disappointed! Ms. Lewis tells her story in a way that I believe no one else would have been able to do.

She is a woman who doesn't do anything half-assed. She's so out there- so extra. Just like me. So I was able to relate to her story and everything that she went through.

I would show more suggest that anyone battling personal demons read this book. Or anyone who really wants to know what goes on behind the scenes in Black Hollywood, for that matter. show less

OMG…I’m so glad I listened to this book in audio. Jenifer Lewis didn’t want to do a tell all book, but wanted to focus on her personal struggles and triumphs within herself. Dealing with Bipolar Disorder can be (as Ms Lewis puts it) “like your own personal jail cell” especially if unmedicated. My sister is also diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and has manic episodes, lashing out at family and loved ones. I saw so many parallels between Ms. Lewis and my sister. I appreciated her show more honesty, humor, and humility, and actually gave me some eyesight into a person dealing with this disorder. I adore her acting skills and her magnified persona. Jenifer Lewis is definitely “The Mother of Black Hollywood”. show less

audio nonfiction/memoir (read by the author, ~11hrs) Black superstar entertainer (comedian/actor/singer) relates her journey in overcoming manic/depressive episodes and becoming an internationally recognized talent, on Broadway and in Hollywood. (CW/TW: language, sex addiction, alcohol abuse, child molestation)

Ms. Lewis' follow up, Walking in My Joy, is maybe more readable/enjoyable, with less oversharing (if you don't enjoy hearing about various sexual escapades, this isn't for you) and show more more relatable stories, but that doesn't mean that The Mother of Black Hollywood isn't also important and worth reading. The chapters run together after a while (the journey to stardom is a long one, as is the journey in dealing with mental health challenges), but I can't help but love Jenifer's larger-than-life personality as well as her talent in telling a humorous and entertaining story. show less

I listened to Ms. Lewis share her thoughts, experiences, and life changing moments and enjoyed the audio in her signature voice. Singing, laughing and shouting. I laughed out loud, stunned, and astonished.

It was a happy and sad moments reading about her best fiend and cousin Ronnie who was a gem to Jenifer and who succumbed to the AIDs virus.

I was respectfully endeared to the fact that Tyler Perry a mogul in the move and television industry, purchased and built his studio in the poorest show more black neighborhoods in Atlanta on the former land of a confederate army base plotting to keep blacks enslaved. Now it is employing as well as economically empowering everyone.

This memoir takes us on a journey of key moments in the author’s life. She brings compassion along with humor to heartening situations and humanity issues that affect our lives. I’ve read and listened to “Mother of Black Hollywood” and was enlightened, and entertained, so I had no doubt that this book would bring the same. Bravo Ms. Lewis! show less