Mehr als Genug: Wenn sie dir sagen, dass du zu viel bist, bist du genau richtig

by Cynthia Erivo, Carla Hegerl (Translator), Jessica Joerdel (Translator)

Der NYT-Bestseller der weltberühmten Sängerin und Schauspielerin!

Wicked gehört mittlerweile zum Standardrepertoire in jeder Musicalausbildung. Auch Cynthia Erivo erlernte die Musik schon lange, bevor genau diese ihr Leben verändern würde. Jetzt ist sie eine der bekanntesten Schauspielerinnen und Sängerinnen der Welt und beweist, dass sich selbst zu entdecken eine niemals endende Reise ist.In bewegenden, persönlichen Anekdoten beschreibt sie, wie sie als queere Schwarze Frau im Showbusiness ihren Platz gefunden hat. Erivo schildert die Herausforderungen, mit denen sie konfrontiert war, und zeigt, wie ihre sensible Emotionalität und ihr unermüdliches Durchhaltevermögen sie an die Spitze gebracht haben. Sie ermutigt Leserinnen und Leser, ihre Träume kompromisslos zu verfolgen, auch wenn der Weg schwierig sein mag. Ihr Buch ist nicht nur eine persönliche Erzählung, sondern auch ein kraftvolles Manifest für Diversität und Selbstakzeptanz. Cynthia Erivo inspiriert damit nicht nur die nächste Generation von Künstlerinnen, sondern alle, die ihre Träumen leben wollen.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir, Biography, Biography Memoir, Self Help, LGBT

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 17, 2025

Reviews

[Bence]

holding all the space for the contents of this book 😌💚

[CJ Opal · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a part in this book that had me raging. I had to stop listening and really sink into the feeling before I could continue. There are times when we fail ourselves, when we let the world at large, the powers that be, the assholes in charge, tell us who we are and what we're worth. Looking back and reflecting on those moments in her own life, and deciding to never let it happen again, Cynthia gives us the blueprint to overcoming a world that wants to belittle you and find inner peace. It's not a destination, but work we have to do every day to remind ourselves that it's okay to be more than what is expected or desired by others.

[Erin Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly my most favorite read of 2025.

[Kendra Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 A good memoir/self-help book about being okay with yourself when other people are trying to push you down.

[Hailey Deltano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved listening to this book. Cynthia’s prose is stunning and hearing her own words in her voice is definitely the way to go. it’s a cross between a memoir and self help book. She talks about her life and struggles as a young performer, and at the end of each chapter she asks questions of the reader to help put everything into perspective. there were many times where I fully bawled my eyes out because of how much I related to her. 10/10 absolutely beautiful!!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. This book touched my heart and soul in so many ways. As someone who has heard I’m “too much” more times than I can count in my lifetime, this book hit home. Cynthia’s journey is one we can all learn from. This book is a wonderful reminder than none of us are “too much”, we are all Simply More. May we all be our loud, dramatic, emotional, beautiful selves.

[Hilary Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️🎧 quick and enjoyable! Cynthia has incredible insight and depth. I only wish there were more of her story! A nice mix of memoir and encouragement.

[Archie Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. Her voice is just so beautiful and poetic it was so relaxing to listen to the audio book

[Alexia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ I wish I had liked this more but I’m afraid that was a nothing burger with nothing sauce.

Erivo seems like the kind of memoir author who wants to have something significant to say without actually having anything substantial to pull from. There is little depth to her writing, and her flowery moments rely on this strange self-reflection angle she squeezes in needlessly to the end of most chapters.

Her prose is very casual and conversational, which I’m sure would be nice listening to the audiobook but in print felt like it missed the mark that her flowery “you are not alone” message tried to make.

I admired her touching on her abandonment from her father and the racism she experienced in drama school, but most difficult aspects of her life feel brushed over - necessary to mention but reluctant to actually dig into them. I noticed this most with her talking about her sexuality, and how it was and perhaps still is a point of contention in her family. As someone whose family also didn’t react well to my coming out, I felt for her and admired her growth from that moment. However the moment felt rushed and under discussed, perhaps a page of writing, while she spends pages explaining her character in the Colour Purple and how the applause felt on broadway. To which I think… why did you write a book?

Honestly this read like a woman with incredible talent who felt compelled to market off the Wicked hype and didn’t actually have much to talk about. It feels like she’s trying to be as Humble As Possible and prove that she has struggled to earn her piece of the pie. It’s very possible that she is truly this humble, but humility being the only force behind a memoir left me fairly unimpressed.

[Lindsey Zolot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be still, my HEART. Perfectly written and read.

[Lindsay (pawsomereads)]

No ratings for memoirs from me but I really enjoyed this! It was a really quick read and I loved listening to the audiobook narrated by Cynthia herself. This book was comprised of short little vignettes or essays explaining little life lessons that Cynthia has learned and felt were important enough to share with us. It gave a little bit of insight into her earlier life and also gave a bit of insight into Wicked. I'm sure everyone reading this would have loved for her to dive a little deeper into this portion because of how beloved the movies are. It gave just enough of a peak behind the curtain to give the audience an understanding of how difficult and special that process was, but I'd definitely take a whole other book just about the filming of Wicked. Definitely recommend for an easy yet introspective and inspiring read.

[Manita Taylor Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly admire Cynthia, not just her as a performer, but as a person. She’s authentically herself. And she shares her wisdom and glimpses into her life so generously in her book.

[bri 🧸 · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh cynthia i love you so very much

[Pantelis Andreou · Rating 5 out of 5]

The day she gets that EGOT status, i’m gonna celebrate like crazy. The definition of angel on earth.

Wish this was longer though. I was on the last chapter and i felt sad that it was that short.

4.5/5

[Tori Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short and sweet memoir felt like a conversation with a friend. So much of her experience has no crossover with my life yet so much felt validating and relatable. I also loved learning some little fun facts about her

[Michelle Park Baamonde · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to Cynthia narrating the audiobook. I wish we got more of her story and less of the self-help advice, but I like how she shared her experiences and outlook on life. I have been a Wicked fan since seeing the show almost 20 years ago and anticipating the release of Wicked: For Good, so her memoir coming out the same week with parts where she reflected on her Wicked experience from drama school to the present day has me even more excited to go see the film.

[(Adri)ana | TenPieceLemonPepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was short and sweet but still so beautifully done.

to every creative, artistic, bubbly and probably neurodivergent Black woman who was once an enthusiastic, happy go lucky little Black girl who was constantly told that they were “dramatic” and “talked too much,” read this.

[Nessie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

phenomenal narrator! so interesting hearing about Cynthia’s life & inspirations. also loved her questions at the end of chapters. felt like a warm hug❤️‍🩹

[Kaleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! LOVE CYNTHIA! 😍

[Anna Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend listening to the audio— or do what I did and listen to the audiobook and read along. Cynthia’s voice is so calming and soothing.

It’s literally over three hours of one of the most successful women in the world teaching you how to be yourself, love yourself, and be successful, all while she gives you life advice. And she analyzes her major roles (including Wicked!!) and what life advice you can learn from the characters. I loved it so much

[Andre(Read-A-Lot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in the bookstore and saw this book, and sat down in a chair and two or so hours later I closed the book with a big smile on my face. I am now a bigger fan than I already was. Cynthia Erivo is an immensely talented artist. And in this message memoir she expresses that believing you are enough, is half the battle. This is a uniquely crafted book and can best be described as a message memoir.
She gives enough of her life while doling out life lessons and encouragement precepts while peppering the text with questions for the reader in a self-help kind of way. This was a great way to spend a few hours and this book proves in so many ways, that sometimes less is more! In this case less was just enough! Quick and easy to enjoy.

[Carson Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored every minute of this. If you know me, I almost never stray from fiction but I took a chance because I love Cynthia and it was a short read. I’m so glad I did…truly the most lovely little book!!!

[Sue Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad I listened to this one before wicked for Good.
Cynthia has a beautiful voice and was a great listen.As she states her truth and tells her story, Cynthia directs others on how to live authentically.

[Anouk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply more in awe of you… ilysm Cynthia!! This was a warm hug, full of wisdom, raw, emotional. Listening to Cynthia narrating her own story was so powerful, recommend the audiobook!

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning more about Cynthia’s journey! This is a short, easy read that will squeeze your heart.

[Tess · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a heartfelt, uplifting read. cynthia erivo’s talent and honesty shine as she blends personal stories with gentle, inspiring advice. a lovely reminder that being “too much” can be a power!

[Abby Greaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this. Knew immediately that I wanted to read Erivo's book when I saw it was available on Libro.fm.

This is perfect for fans of Erivo, or someone who needs to know that it is okay to be your true, authentic self. This was a quick one, but I can see myself going back to reread.

[Greyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ First off, I’d like to say this woman can read me a grocery list and its an immediate 3 star. This, however, is no grocery list. This book was interesting and loving and gave doable advice. Nothing too forceful but still impactful. Its the sweet spot for self-help/ memoirs. This book may not change your life but it explains a lot of Cynthia’s life and how music and acting is simply more for her. She tells you it’s okay to be “extra” and to allow yourself to just be you. Being able to tell stories the way this woman can through music now has background for me and I love that I can feel connected to her through her identity and spirituality. A daily badass. I enjoyed this book so much that I bought it mid-read. But I’m a simple person who’s just a little extra. This book is short sweet and to the point.

[Holly | Raise Your Words · Rating 3 out of 5]

| 3/5 Stars | ★★★☆☆

Trigger Warnings for Simply More​: Addiction, Racism, Homophobia, Grief, Self-Doubt, Emotional Trauma.

Simply More is part-memoir, part-self-help book by Cynthia Erivo. This is Erivo's first foray into nonfiction, with her only other authored piece being a wonderful children's book titled Remember to Dream, Ebere. In Simply More, Erivo uses Wicked as her bookends for her story, explaining how she learned to love music through Wicked, found her love of stage work through Wickedand, later, found her love of being on the big screen through Wicked.

I have to start with saying, LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK. Erivo has such a mystical reading voice, as evidenced by her lengthy array of narrated pieces ranging from The Yellow Wallpaper to 1984. She truly brings this book to life in more ways than her written word would have because, frankly, this book doesn't know what it wants to be. Is it a book paralleling success to running? Not quite. Is it a tale of getting a big break to play as a character that means so much to you? Kinda. Is it a self-help book utilizing vignettes of Erivo's life to support the reader? Uhhh, that is sorta the most accurate, but not fully.

All in all, this is good, but it needs a through line. I know Erivo is a fabulous storyteller, but this one just didn't spark that for me. I wish she had picked one of the big three areas she focused on: running as a metaphor, memoir, or self-help. Each of these areas could have produced a lovely story, but all three left me whirling. Thankfully her voice soothed me enough to enjoy it!

Follow all of my reviews and content with LinkTree

[Kalli Gohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️4.7

Ever since seeing Wicked (the movie) I have been enamored with Cynthia Erivo. She has this way of conveying emotion in a way that you as the audience member can’t help but to feel it with her. This book is a glimpse into her past and her career journey. She ends each chapter with a resonating thought or question to try to provoke you to think differently about your own life or perspective. I became emotional multiple times reading, some of her points hitting close to home. A short read that left me wanting more.