Blind Faith: The Miraculous Journey of Lula Hardaway, Stevie Wonder's Mother

by Dennis Love, Stacy Brown, Viola Davis (Narrator)

Hardship, sacrifice, determination and ultimate triumph make up "Blind Faith," the frank and compelling biography of Lula Hardaway, mother of superstar musician and singer Stevie Wonder. A motherless child born in a sharecropper's shack in Alabama, Lula was passed from relative to relative, unwanted and unloved. As a teenager she was sent to Chicago where she married a much older man who abused her and forced her to work as a prostitute. Determined to build a better life for her children, she eventually made her escape to Detroit.

Although Stevland Judkins was blind virtually from birth, Lula noticed that this little boy impressed everyone with his outgoing personality, his intelligence, charm, and his incredible musical talent. Berry Gordy dubbed the boy Little Stevie Wonder and launched him into musical history when he signed Stevie to his Motown label.

When "Innervisions" won a Grammy award for Album of the Year in 1973, Stevie Wonder refused to accept the award unless Lula walked with him to the podium where he proclaimed, "her strength has led us to this place."

Indeed, it was Lula's drive and her willingness to sacrifice the now for the future that saw them through. "Blind Faith" is not only the story of the birth of a superstar, but a stirring testament to a mother's love

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

5 pages, Audio CD

First published November 1, 2002

Reviews

[Queen Searles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authors, Dennis Love and Stacy Brown brilliantly recount the “Miraculous [life] Journey of Lula Mae Hardaway, Stevie Wonder’s Mother,” through her eyes. Lula Mae Hardaway’s faithfulness, bravery and steadfast pertinacity extend beyond inspiring! Growing up a ghetto child who has also, “been to the dark side and back,” I testify that the authors regally accomplished Queen Lula Mae Hardaway’s “chief motivation in telling her story.” Through the inspiration gained from this profound woman of DIVINITY… and BLIND FAITH, I AM Empowered. The chains of fear are vanquished! I AM in control of my destiny!
http://youtu.be/ihK_b-d9FEI

Before Berry Gordy became “little Stevland Judkins[’]” surrogate father and founder of the Stevie Wonder brand, Lula Mae Hardaway had already overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. She had gallantly gained autonomy from an abusive relationship, purchased a home and was successfully leading her family to Higher Ground. Lula’s staunch fortitude and her candidness has helped me to establish stronger bonds with my own biological mother, as well as with my sister momma. She has helped me to recognize, and face all of my fears, freeing me to visit the resting place of my Auntie Momma… and to love again, this time more definitively…

I give thanks that through this book I have bonded with the Spirit of Lula Mae Hardaway, the “Sweetest Somebody I Know.” She actually wanted doctors to give her beautiful eyes to her son…Lula is so dedicated to helping women such as myself, she struggled through health issues to ensure completion of this legacy to empower despairing women. After all of that, she returned from the other side of this existence in a dream to her son, energizing him to continue in His GOOD WORKS… http://youtu.be/yVJpxLPj02E

It is my opinion that this book, depicting the life of the woman who the world has to thank for the Blessings that have been bestowed upon us by the man behind the Stevie Wonder Brand, should be displayed on the “Silver Screen.”

[Debora Baird · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story. I liked the first 2/3 of the book because it was about Stevie's mother and her trials. But then it suddenly changed and detailed Stevie's songs and performances and completely lost track of his mother. Then the last few pages it sums up almost 20 years of her life in a couple sentences and ends. The author should have stuck with her story.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I of course have to mention my frustration at the fact that this was abridged - it drives me nuts. But beyond that, I thought the book was really good. Listening to Stevie's music is about as close to a truly spiritual experience as I am capable of having but I really did not know a lot about his story and really enjoyed learning more. The book is actually written very well and Viola Davis' performance is really spectacular. I will say that once the narrative reached Stevie's deal with Motown, Lula got lost and only emerged at the end as a sort of afterthought. In that regard, the subtitle was a bit misleading but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the compelling biography of Lula Hardaway, mother of superstar musician and singer Stevie Wonder. Written with her full cooperation and participation, her story is of how she gave birth to and nurtured one of America's greatest musicians/songwriters — and the struggles that preceded his rise to fame and fortune. Great book and a great story.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a major fan of Stevie wonder... I loved hearing this story from his mother's from his mothers point of view. I always new Stevie was special. But it wasn't until the story was told by his mother that I now realize how special. Enjoy this was a indeed a Good Read.

[Vikki Petraitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully-written amazing story - not just about Lula Hardaway, but also about the childhood of Stevie Wonder.

[Lavette Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was very interesting lets you know how far a mother would go to help her child.

[M. Winslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book.

[Catherine Richmond]

How do you raise a prodigy when you have no resources? Lula's story is that of so many women - minimal education including no sex ed and no birth control, uneven support, grinding poverty. Yet she managed to move away from an abuser, found steady work, managed her finances to buy a house, while raising three lively boys. The last third of the story focused on Stevie's career with Motown, which was interesting, and how he took charge of his life - his mother was a great example.

[Lucy Briggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended by Ruth Ryan. Had some Saginaw/Detroit connections. What a mother wouldn't do to put food on the table for her children. Part of the book was devoted to Stevie Wonder's first two decades, and Motown records which I found quite interesting.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was an easy to read biography of Stevie Wonder that takes the angle of his mom and her background, too. I'd like to have seen some more concrete examples of his civil rights work and also more about if he's been an inspiration to others.

[Big]

Bought this book at a discount bookstore in an Outlet mall. I've always liked Stevie and am interested to hear what his mom has to say.