Published: 2023
Series: N/A
Author: Kerry Washington
Illustrator: N/A
Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Adult, African American, Book Club, Black Author
Audience: Due to the mature content this is best suited for readers who are juniors and seniors in high school or older
Number of Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads Link: Thicker than Water
Triggers: Terminal illness, childhood trauma, emotional trauma, childhood sexual abuse, dysmorphia, abortion
Review By: Sarah Williams
Publisher’s Summary:
“Award-winning actor, director, producer, and activist Kerry Washington shares the “exquisitely moving” journey of her life so far (Isabel Wilkerson), and the bravely intimate story of discovering her truth. While on a drive in Los Angeles, on a seemingly average afternoon, Kerry Washington received a text message that would send her on a life-changing journey of self-discovery. In an instant, her very identity was torn apart, with everything she thought she knew about herself thrown into question.
In Thicker than Water, Washington gives readers an intimate view into both her public and private worlds—as a mother, daughter, wife, artist, advocate, and trailblazer. Chronicling her upbringing and life’s journey thus far, she reveals how she faced a series of challenges and setbacks, effectively hid childhood traumas, met extraordinary mentors, managed to grow her career, and crossed the threshold into stardom and political advocacy, ultimately discovering her truest self and, with it, a deeper sense of belonging. Throughout this profoundly moving and beautifully written memoir, Washington attempts to answer the questions so many have struggled: Who am I? What is my truest and most authentic self? How do I find a deeper sense of connection and belonging? With grace and honesty, she inspires readers to search for—and find—themselves.” (Goodreads)
Review:
In this memoir readers are drawn in by Washington´s story of her childhood, growing up with parents who were hiding a secret. They argued a lot, which caused many issues for Washington, issues that carried over into her adulthood. This book is terrific, drawing you in with lyrical and honest prose. She narrates a segment of her life where she discovered who she was in more ways than one, learning things about and from her parents that were previously unknown. She also expounds on the anxiety she felt and how her career allowed her to compartmentalize that anxiety. Her story is moving, emotional, and so relatable. I highly recommend it to readers, especially those who are trying to figure out how they fit into the world or who they truly are. I learned a lot about her and her past, things that are not evident when one watches her act. This book can be a resource for anyone who is dealing with anxiety or family traumas, as she shares how those affected her and how she has turned these challenges into motivation in her own life.
Award-winning actor, director, producer, and activist Kerry Washington shares the “exquisitely moving” journey of her life so far (Isabel Wilkerson), and the bravely intimate story of discovering her truth. While on a drive in Los Angeles, on a seemingly average afternoon, Kerry Washington received a text message that would send her on a life-changing journey of self-discovery. In an instant, her very identity was torn apart, with everything she thought she knew about herself thrown into question.
In Thicker than Water, Washington gives readers an intimate view into both her public and private worlds—as a mother, daughter, wife, artist, advocate, and trailblazer. Chronicling her upbringing and life’s journey thus far, she reveals how she faced a series of challenges and setbacks, effectively hid childhood traumas, met extraordinary mentors, managed to grow her career, and crossed the threshold into stardom and political advocacy, ultimately discovering her truest self and, with it, a deeper sense of belonging. Throughout this profoundly moving and beautifully written memoir, Washington attempts to answer the questions so many have struggled Who am I? What is my truest and most authentic self? How do I find a deeper sense of connection and belonging? With grace and honesty, she inspires readers to search for—and find—themselves.
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- English Language Arts (ELA): Serving as an excellent piece for advanced high school students (juniors and seniors) to study contemporary memoir frameworks, this text highlights how public and private narratives are crafted through lyrical prose and non-linear self-reflection.
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Psychology: This book provides substantial opportunities for educators and counselors to address mental health literacy, particularly concerning anxiety disorders, childhood trauma, emotional coping mechanisms, and the process of compartmentalization.
- Extension Activity / Library Application:
- Independent Reading & Literature Circles: Highly recommended as an independent reading choice for upper-level secondary students, or as a feature title for a high school non-fiction book club exploring identity and self-discovery.
- Biographical Analysis and Writing Activity: Students can investigate the intersection of art and advocacy, using Washington’s journey to write a reflective essay on how personal hurdles and familial histories can shape an individual’s public motivation, activism, and career choices.
- Diversity & Representation: The memoir stands as a vital piece of OwnVoices literature, offering profound representation for Black women navigating both everyday family dynamics and spaces of high-profile achievement. Kerry Washington explicitly represents her diverse background and Black heritage throughout the text, exploring systemic issues alongside deeply personal questions of authentic cultural and individual identity.
Readalikes:
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
- Finding Me by Viola Davis
