William Collins Dying of Politeness A Memoir.

by Geena Davis

At three years old, Geena Davis announced she was going to be in movies. Now, with a slew of iconic roles and awards under her belt, she has surpassed her childhood dream—but the path to finding yourself never did run smoothly. In this simultaneously hilarious and candid memoir, Davis regales us with tales of a career playing everything from an amnesiac assassin to the parent of a rodent, her eccentric childhood, her relationships, and helping lead the way to gender parity in Hollywood—all while learning to be a little more badass, one role at a time.

Dying of Politeness is a touching account of one woman’s journey to fight for herself, and ultimately fighting for women all around the globe.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Autobiography

Paperback

Published October 12, 2023

About the author

Two-time Academy Award winner Geena Davis is one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, having appeared in several roles that became cultural landmarks, such as Thelma in Thelma & Louise, Dottie Hinson in A League of Their Own, and Mackenzie Allen in Commander in Chief. She is also a world-class archer and is now recognized for her tireless advocacy of women and girls, as Founder and Chair of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media.

Reviews

[Jeanne Metz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! She is a bad ass and loved her transparency!!

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jättekul och lustigt sätt att skriva på - lite som en dagbok! Najs

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir shows with humor how Geena Davis became a great actress and advocate for stronger and more varied roles for female actresses. After her overly polite upbringing and early gawkiness, Geena got most of a college education, modeling jobs, and movie roles she did so well in that you might think the parts had been made for her. Along the way, she had to deal with sexual harassment, ageism, and her deep-seated conviction that she wasn't athletic. As she performed more and more of her own stunts and became a ranked archer, her self-image changed. In addition, working alongside talented and assertive actresses, like Susan Sarandon, increased her self-confidence and made her stand up against some of Hollywood's sexism. Finally, becoming a mother in her forties cemented her fierceness.

Through everything, Geena Davis remained kind and self-mocking. She also acted with and married some of Hollywood's greatest stars, and she shares a wealth of humorous anecdotes about everyone. An enjoyable read about a wonderful actress..

[Julie Trapp · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 From two-time Academy Award winner and screen icon Geena Davis, the surprising tale of her “journey to badassery”—from her epically polite childhood to roles that loaned her the strength to become a powerhouse in Hollywood. At three years old, Geena Davis announced she was going to be in movies. Now, with a slew of iconic roles and awards under her belt, she has surpassed her childhood dream—but the path to finding yourself never did run smoothly. In this simultaneously hilarious and candid memoir, Davis regales us with tales of a career playing everything from an amnesiac assassin to the parent of a rodent, her eccentric childhood, her relationships, and helping lead the way to gender parity in Hollywood. [amazon synopsis]

I have never seen Geena Davis in anything. This book was dull, slow and boring. I don't care if people intersperse their political views in a book, but this was soooo dull.

[Selina]

I think it’s hard to rate a memoir. I’ve followed the work Geena Davis does with her Institute for many years now. And I made some assumptions about her character that were incorrect. This book was frustrating but enlightening. It also certainly didn’t portray Hollywood or its male actors in a very positive light.

[S B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook, which gave it an extra star. She narrates it herself and I highly recommend it.

I'm honestly stunned I liked it so much. She seems to have had such a normal life, it was weird how I was still able to feel stuff and care and what to hear more of her stories.

Probably not a 5 star read in reality, I think the awesome audiobook has made me biased.

[Audrey Salas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not stop reading this book over a weekend. It was funny and honest.

Geena is full of love and heart

She made me laugh throughout the whole book; my eyes were glued to reading her story.

[Cat Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun, inspiring read about seeing the bright side of life, living authentically, self-belief and general feminist badassery.

I want to be friends with Geena Davis

[TJ Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

God Geena Davis is just the best. The end of this book made me so happy, such a beautiful lasting thought.

[Izzy Beveridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this. Geena Davis is a kind weirdo and I enjoyed spending time in her world.

[Dee Vajgrt · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow.... just amazing

[Willie Majeska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long live Thelma !!!!

[ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

don’t speak to me i need to watch geena davis’ entire filmography right now.