Review: Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me by Whoopi Goldberg (audio)
remembering the lessons of a mother and brother
Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me by Whoopi Goldberg, narrated by the author, provides a look at the memories and moments that left a lasting impression on Goldberg. Her mother and brother were some of her biggest supporters and influences. Her mother’s wise words have guided her career and many of her life choices, but like most of us, life was not smooth and some choices were not the best.
What I love about this memoir is the joy. There is so much joy in her memories of her mother. Yes, she grew up poor in the NYC projects, but she never understood that aspect of her life because her mother and brother brought joy and fun to everything they did as a family. They may not have had fancy clothes or things, but they had strong bonds and joy.
It also seems that dyslexia-related memoirs are finding their way to me even when I am not looking for them. Goldberg’s dyslexia did make reading and school difficult, and she does talk about it, but even with that special way of learning, she never felt less than because her mother read to her and ensured that she had the support to be who she wanted to be. This openness fostered a great sense of individuality in Goldberg, and it allowed her to be free to be herself no matter what.
There are moments where she digresses from her own stories, but she does pick up those dropped threads. Many of those digressions are funny, so you go along for the ride without much complaint.
Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me by Whoopi Goldberg had me giggling with her (her laugh is infectious and child-like), and the lessons she learned from her mother and brother were key to her success and outlook on life. The last chapter on dealing with grief made me tear up - I won’t lie - but it was worth listening to how she processed grief and how close family deaths leave a grief for their loss and for ourselves. We lose our anchors when parents or siblings pass. They are who knew us when we were born and formed. I highly recommend this one.
RATING: Cinquain
About the Author:
Whoopi Goldberg is one of an elite group of artists who have won the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards) and is the bestselling author of the Sugar Plum Ballerina series, Book, and Is It Just Me? While performing in the Bay Area she created the characters that became The Spook Show and evolved into her hit Broadway show, Grammy Award–winning album, and the HBO special that helped launch her career. Spanning decades, Whoopi’s credits include roles in the well-known films The Color Purple, Ghosts of Mississippi, Sister Act, and Ghost. She produced the documentary Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley, and she appeared in and was one of the producers of the critically acclaimed 2022 feature film Till. She loves VW Bugs, working casinos, and comfortable clothing; is a passionate supporter of the audio arts and dedicated collector of audiobooks; and heads the Whoopfam Group, makers of Emma & Clyde, Whoopi & Maya, and other recreational and medicinal marijuana products.