Becoming By Michelle Obama

By Pragya Pandey, B.A (Hons) Sociology

Design By Nandana Menon

Becoming is an intimate and inspiring memoir of Michelle Obama, a noteworthy for revealing insights into the private moment of fear and frustration experienced by one of the most iconic women in America.

The book, aptly titled Becoming, takes the readers into her world, chronicling experiences that have transformed her from an Executive, balancing the demands of motherhood to becoming the First Lady of the USA. She has trustfully enumerated the roles she spent in her life-– from a dutiful daughter, high-school student, sincere Princeton undergraduate, dedicated Harvard  Law attendee, and hard-working lawyer to a lovely wife and mother. She has been quite honest and witty while highlighting her triumphs and disappointments, both private and public. The book is beautifully penned in her way as if she lived each word. 

Michelle candidly talks about how she had to take off her wife’s hat and put on a citizen hat while campaigning for her husband’s Presidential campaign. She has mentioned the speeches that attracted crowds of supporters, yet she had to satisfy an electorate whose ideas about Black Women were shaped by White supremacy. “ I was getting worn out, not physically, but emotionally. The punches hurt, even if I understood that they have little to do with who I was as a person”, she writes. “Becoming” is a deeply personal reckoning of a woman with soul and substances, who defied expectations, and whose story inspires us to take the plunge despite the obstacles and to ‘become what we want to be’. 

With a blend of raw emotion and unflinching honesty, Michelle Obama's "Becoming" is more than just a memoir—it's a beacon of hope. Her path epitomizes the power of perseverance and authenticity, from the South Side of Chicago to the White House. Every chapter refers to the resilient woman within each public figure who exudes elegance. It isn't just her story; it is a rallying cry to all of us to become ourselves, chase our dreams, and create them with unending resolve. It is a must-read, offering an intimate portrait of a woman who inspires millions and continues to.