Joana Avillez

This is a quick read, with 19 short essays by a wide variety of people telling how Michelle Obama came onto their radar and more specifically, the impact she had on them. Some essays were stronger than others, which isn't a surprise. From Lena Dunham, to Gloria Steinem, Alice Waters, Patton Oswalt, Jason Wu, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Tracee Ellis Ross and two 9th graders, as well.

A lovely, perhaps overlooked, detail are the sketches that open each piece, illustrated by Joana Avillez. It was only when I looked at them one after the other, apart from the essays , did I realize that it was a progression, almost like those old-fashioned flip-books. The theme of them is a garden, from empty earth to seed to full fruition and full cycle. Like Michelle's organic garden. They are black and white ink (or maybe charcoal?) sketches. Just beautiful.

I did mark quite a few passages but the one I will include here is from Alice Waters, because she speaks of the garden and sums up the book well, in my opinion:

"The food from the garden became a metaphor for the values of the First Couple, from welcoming guests to helping neighbors in need. Her vision extended well beyond the boundaries of the White House plot.... Michelle Obama's White House garden was so much more important than I could have imagined. It was a living, growing representation of the bounty and generosity and diversity of the United States - and of her own large-hearted, far-seeing vision for the future of food in this country."

And because the book was compiled and published this year, a few of the essayists did mention the current administration and some comparisons were made, but they were brief, and did not darken the book, in my opinion. It remains a solid tribute to a woman who stands head and shoulders above the current admin and yet, remains firmly *of the people*.… (mais)