Part memoir and part self-help book, the actress reflects on her life and career with comforting effect but more depth could have been given.
This is really a book that celebrates the power of being unapologetically you as seen through the eyes of Cynthia Erivo in a way that is part self-help book and part autobiography.
At just 200 hundred pages, while in many ways it is insightful as to how many situations can make us all stronger and can act as a lesson to moving forward in life. There is something very soothing in the way in which the book has been written that allows for plenty of self reflection – particularly when Erivo turns a question onto the reader on the subject covered in the chapter.
In addition it is fascinating to discover more – even if its it bitesized antidotes that give us an insight into Erivo’s background. The types of music she listened to, her experiences at drama school and how she reacted to finding out that she was going to lay Elphaba in the film adaptation of Wicked for example.
Yet it feels as though she is holding herself back in many ways, still feeling cautious about letting the reader in too close, particularly given the length of the book. She is able to draw us in and then draws slightly back – but this could simply be down to the way in which the book has been edited .This is also very much reflected in the disjointed tone of the book overall that can feel slightly patronising and frustrating in many ways – despite the good intentions.
This being said, there is striking honesty in the way in which she recounts deeply personal events that have shaped her life. There is vulnerability there, but the reader also gets an idea of her strength and the life lessons she has learnt from each experience. She never proclaims to be perfect, with a strong sense of self-awareness on display throughout.
As a autobiography, it could have been a great guide to aspiring actors and how to use their qualities and of being more to advantage – this is certainly hinted at in many ways. Equally finding out more about her experiences in the industry as well as what happened after she got the role of Elphaba deserved more reflection. She is an inspirational personality and it just doesn’t feel that this book gives enough time for the reader to fully see all of the qualities that she has (but this could be also down to her the humble side to her character that makes her unable to write a complete autobiography at this stage in her life).
There is certainly plenty to be taken away from ‘Simply More’, yet it feels more could have been said in her eloquent way that she expresses herself here. The more that she accomplishes, the more we all want to know her more.
By Emma Clarendon
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️
Simply More by Cynthia Erivo is available now.