The Road Is Good: How a Mother's Strength Became a Daughter's Purpose
A powerful, timely memoir of Black immigrant identity, the story of an unforgettable matriarch, and a unique coming-of-age story by Nigerian American actress Uzo Aduba.

The actress Uzo Aduba came of age grappling with a master juggling act: as one of few Black families in their white Massachusetts suburb, she and her siblings were the unexpected presence in whatever school room or sports team they joined. But Aduba was also rooted by a fierce and nonnegotiable sense of belonging and extraordinary worth that stemmed from her mother's powerful vision for her children, and their connection to generations of family in Nigeria. The alchemy of being out of place yet driven by fearless conviction powered Aduba to success.

The Road Is Good is more than the journey of a young woman determined to survive young adulthood - and to create a workable identity for herself. It is the story of an incredible mother and a testament to matriarchal power. When Aduba's mother falls ill, the origin of her own power crystallizes and Aduba leaps into a caretaker role, uniquely prepared by the history and tools her mother passed along to become steward of her ancestoral legacy.

Deeply mining her family history-gripping anecdotes her mother, aunts, and uncles shared in passing at family celebrations and her own discoveries through countless auditions in New York and her travels to Nigeria-Aduba pieces together a life story imbued with guiding lessons that are both personal and profoundly universal.
1143735316
The Road Is Good: How a Mother's Strength Became a Daughter's Purpose
A powerful, timely memoir of Black immigrant identity, the story of an unforgettable matriarch, and a unique coming-of-age story by Nigerian American actress Uzo Aduba.

The actress Uzo Aduba came of age grappling with a master juggling act: as one of few Black families in their white Massachusetts suburb, she and her siblings were the unexpected presence in whatever school room or sports team they joined. But Aduba was also rooted by a fierce and nonnegotiable sense of belonging and extraordinary worth that stemmed from her mother's powerful vision for her children, and their connection to generations of family in Nigeria. The alchemy of being out of place yet driven by fearless conviction powered Aduba to success.

The Road Is Good is more than the journey of a young woman determined to survive young adulthood - and to create a workable identity for herself. It is the story of an incredible mother and a testament to matriarchal power. When Aduba's mother falls ill, the origin of her own power crystallizes and Aduba leaps into a caretaker role, uniquely prepared by the history and tools her mother passed along to become steward of her ancestoral legacy.

Deeply mining her family history-gripping anecdotes her mother, aunts, and uncles shared in passing at family celebrations and her own discoveries through countless auditions in New York and her travels to Nigeria-Aduba pieces together a life story imbued with guiding lessons that are both personal and profoundly universal.
22.5 In Stock
The Road Is Good: How a Mother's Strength Became a Daughter's Purpose

The Road Is Good: How a Mother's Strength Became a Daughter's Purpose

by Uzo Aduba

Narrated by Uzo Aduba

Unabridged — 10 hours, 9 minutes

The Road Is Good: How a Mother's Strength Became a Daughter's Purpose

The Road Is Good: How a Mother's Strength Became a Daughter's Purpose

by Uzo Aduba

Narrated by Uzo Aduba

Unabridged — 10 hours, 9 minutes

Audiobook (Digital)

$22.50
FREE With a B&N Audiobooks Subscription | Cancel Anytime
$0.00

Free with a B&N Audiobooks Subscription | Cancel Anytime

START FREE TRIAL

Already Subscribed? 

Sign in to Your BN.com Account


Listen on the free Barnes & Noble NOOK app


Related collections and offers

FREE

with a B&N Audiobooks Subscription

Or Pay $22.50

Overview

A powerful, timely memoir of Black immigrant identity, the story of an unforgettable matriarch, and a unique coming-of-age story by Nigerian American actress Uzo Aduba.

The actress Uzo Aduba came of age grappling with a master juggling act: as one of few Black families in their white Massachusetts suburb, she and her siblings were the unexpected presence in whatever school room or sports team they joined. But Aduba was also rooted by a fierce and nonnegotiable sense of belonging and extraordinary worth that stemmed from her mother's powerful vision for her children, and their connection to generations of family in Nigeria. The alchemy of being out of place yet driven by fearless conviction powered Aduba to success.

The Road Is Good is more than the journey of a young woman determined to survive young adulthood - and to create a workable identity for herself. It is the story of an incredible mother and a testament to matriarchal power. When Aduba's mother falls ill, the origin of her own power crystallizes and Aduba leaps into a caretaker role, uniquely prepared by the history and tools her mother passed along to become steward of her ancestoral legacy.

Deeply mining her family history-gripping anecdotes her mother, aunts, and uncles shared in passing at family celebrations and her own discoveries through countless auditions in New York and her travels to Nigeria-Aduba pieces together a life story imbued with guiding lessons that are both personal and profoundly universal.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

With wit, insight, and heart, Aduba constructs a captivating self-portrait that doubles as an ode to her remarkable mother. In this powerful autobiography, even readers unfamiliar with Aduba’s acting work will be spellbound.
—Starred Review, Publishers Weekly

This modest, thoughtful memoir pays less attention to [Aduba’s] successes than to her family, cultural heritage, Christian faith, and particularly her strong relationship with her mother. Reflective and infused with gratitude, the memoir is as much about the conflicts and comforts of growing up Nigerian-American as about those of becoming a working actor.
—Booklist

Poignant and well-written, this memoir not only celebrates the achievements and talents of its author but also grounds readers in the customs of Nigeria. It is a must-have for fans of Aduba or Orange Is the New Black and for those wanting to read about the African diaspora.
—Starred Review, Library Journal

“Uzo Aduba once lamented to her mom, Nonyem, that her classmates couldn’t pronounce her full Nigerian name, Uzoamaka. Nonyem wasn’t having it: “If they can learn to say Tchaikovsky, and Dostoyevsky, and Michelangelo, then they can learn to say Uzoamaka,” she told her young daughter. That memory takes on new significance in the actor’s debut memoir, the title of which is both the translation of her name and a thematic undercurrent in the book. The Emmy winner dubs herself the “family historian” and tells the story of her and Nonyem’s pasts with remarkable clarity and gratitude.”
—Bustle

“With The Road Is Good, Uzo Aduba not only celebrates her mother’s life but also offers an inspiring narrative of perseverance, cultural pride and the unbreakable bond between a mother and daughter that transcends fame and fortune.”
The Lagos Review

Kirkus Reviews

2024-08-16
The Emmy-winning actress remembers her childhood, her beloved mother, and more.

Aduba, whose Igbo first name translates as “the road is good,” grew up in a family of five in an almost all-white Boston suburb, and one of the most enjoyable parts of her memoir is her evocation of the camaraderie among her siblings and close-knit relatives, including the colorful gatherings and parties they had during her childhood. Her adolescence was marked by loneliness and bullying, but as her standout vocal and acting talents emerged, key mentors helped her find her way. The description of her days in New York as an aspiring actress is satisfyingly detailed, as is the story of her landing the part of Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on the Netflix seriesOrange Is the New Black. Since she doesn’t tell the reader what the show is even about other than to say it is “a story about mass incarceration,” perhaps she is assuming that her audience is well acquainted with its premise and the particulars of her character, but if that’s the case, those readers would likely be interested in further detail and additional anecdotes. Instead, the subject comes up late in the book and is given only a few pages. Somewhat more satisfying is her description of playing Shirley Chisholm in FX’sMrs. America. Though a great deal of hard work went into writing this memoir, it sometimes feels unfocused, and it could have benefited from some culling and shaping by a professional writer. (Where’s J.R. Moehringer when you need him?) The description of her mother’s life and death are the most dramatic and interesting parts, but they are not well integrated into the overall structure.

Fans will enjoy this generous account of life as a Nigerian American daughter, sister, and actress.

Product Details

BN ID: 2940159431585
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Publication date: 09/24/2024
Edition description: Unabridged
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews