Audiobook Review: The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

Author: Britney Spears

Narrator: Michelle Williams

Title: The Woman in Me

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

Format: Audiobook

Published:  October 24, 2023

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history.

Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last.

Review:

I put myself in line for both the ebook, physical, and audiobook and we would see what would come first. I was in the library queue to borrow this book for a month or so. I didn't expect to get this for another month. Miracle upon miracle, the audiobook arrived early. 

This is Britney Spear's story in her own words. She covers her early childhood to currently in her freedom. For the first time, we get to see her truth and what her fame and family did to her. 

I have been a fan of Britney since I was a little girl. I remember learning her dance moves. Learning her songs. I wanted to BE her. She was a superstar in my eyes. As I grew up I still enjoyed her music. I remember watching interviews and the paparazzi harassing her. If you couldn't see how they treated her back then...you were blind. She was our version of Princess Diana.  They put her and her children in danger just to get a pic. I'm surprised they didn't get her hurt or killed with their antics. Nasty, disgusting. 

And then, like the rest of the world, I was shocked by the reveal that her father had her in an unfair conservatorship. Listening to her tales of her suffocated life during this time made me want to sob. The girl had to beg for food. She was on a strict diet. Strict work routine. Strict medical shit. Strict bathroom routine. Strict EVERYTHING. Her isolation she described had me itching to run outside and get in my car and scream "FUCK THE PATRICHY" while I smoke, eat, and wear nothing but a bikini. How her father got away with it for YEARS stuns me. Shame. Shame on all the people who did that to her. 

Yes, the author had ghostwriters to help her write her tale and then had Michelle Williams (the actress) narrate. I think it was good she had other forces help her collect her thoughts and tales and put them into a novel. It flowed well and I could feel her in those words. They felt like her words. 

The narrator was fantastic. I listened to this whole audiobook in a matter of 24 hours. Yes, it was that addictive. Now...as much as I liked this narrator's performance.....a part of me really wished that the author read her own words. I get WHY she didn't want to, but she had been silenced for so long, I feel this would've made this book more impactful. 

Overall, this was a quick read, but it was good. It will make you feel all the feelings. Even though I wanted Britney to narrate, the narrator she hired on was fantastic. I'll give this 4 stars.  

 

Challenge(s):

- #55 for Audiobook challenge