Thicker than Water

A Memoir

By: Kerry Washington

Narrated by: Kerry Washington

Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Award-winning actor, director, producer, and activist Kerry Washington shares the deeply moving journey of her life so far, and the bravely intimate story of discovering her truth.

While on a drive in Los Angeles, on a seemingly average afternoon, Kerry Washington received a text message that would send her on a life-changing journey of self-discovery. In an instant, her very identity was torn apart, with everything she thought she knew about herself thrown into question.

In Thicker than Water, Washington gives readers an intimate view into both her public and private worlds—as an artist, an advocate, an entrepreneur, a mother, a daughter, a wife, a Black woman. Chronicling her upbringing and life’s journey thus far, she reveals how she faced a series of challenges and setbacks, effectively hid childhood traumas, met extraordinary mentors, managed to grow her career, and crossed the threshold into stardom and political advocacy, ultimately discovering her truest self and, with it, a deeper sense of belonging.

Throughout this profoundly moving and beautifully written memoir, Washington attempts to answer the questions so many have struggled with: Who am I? What is my truest and most authentic self? How do I find a deeper sense of connection and belonging? With grace and honesty, Washington inspires readers to search for—and find—themselves.

Please note: Based on listener feedback, we have updated the audio of this edition. If you experience any issues, please re-download.

©2023 Kerry Washington (P)2023 Little, Brown Spark

Critic reviews

"I read Thicker than Water in one sitting, astonished by Washington’s thrilling story and shimmering writing. Washington is more honest in these pages than she has to be, and the result is a book that will heal hearts and relationships. Thicker than Water will keep readers up at night—flipping pages and thinking: Good Lord, she can write, too??? Yep, she sure as hell can."—Glennon Doyle, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Untamed

"If Kerry Washington's superpower in acting is that she can make the viewer feel intimate with someone we've never known, her writing superpower is that she can make us relive a life we've never lived. Utterly immersive, beautifully descriptive, and radically honest, this book takes a compassionate sledgehammer to the facades that so many of us create about ourselves and our families. It's such a gift."—Trevor Noah, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Born a Crime

“With a true gift for prose, Kerry Washington conveys an intoxicating passion and gratitude for her life. I found myself captivated by every chapter, at her side, inspired by the full spectrum of her experience.”—Gwyneth Paltrow, actor and founder of goop

Bravo!

Kerry, bravo for the courage to live your truth and the bravery to share it with the world. Secrets keep you sick, so now you are truly living life on your terms!

An amazing and important story.

Having a similar biological history, this booked helped open my eyes to many things. I laughed and cried but more importantly Felt so many new ways to look at our situations and perspectives and have been able to release a lot of old, unnecessary and negative thoughts. Thank you for this beautiful story!

A Reversal

I have a different view of water now: relaxing VS uncomfortable. Seeing how it was interwoven in Miss Washington’s life, I sense a calmness. I thank you for opening up your life to me, us. It’s true we are all like snowflakes: none alike!

Don’t Ask Kerry Washington this Question . . . .

“How are you?” Boggles me too. I recently learned that perhaps you’re an Enneagram 2? A Thinker and a Doer but late blooming to becoming a Feeler. Cause wtf is a “feeling”? Heart.

Truth

What a beautiful story. Soo well said and inspirational. My life is mine!! Wow how blessed you are🙏🏽🙏🏽

What a journey!

Thank you Kerry for doing your work and sharing your story with us. Well done!

Great Listen!

I am a big fan of Scandal, and loved how she narrated her story. Many actors fall into the accidentally discovered, with no previous acting talent. Kerry Washington does not. She knew she wanted to act at a young age and took every opportunity available to her to cultivate her talent. Thank you Kerry for sacrificing your privacy in telling us your story. You broke a lot of barriers for POC, and are a testament to hard work paying off.

Great book by Kerry

I’ve always been a fan of her work and always admire her. It’s great to know more about her as a person not just as the characters she plays on screen.

Such a moving read

Her use of language and sense of drama make for an insightful, honest, affecting story of a complex woman.

Swimmingly wonderful!

I truly enjoyed the journey into your life so majestically told with picturesque words! Thank you for taking the time to give further depth to your story by reading it yourself! Your voice brought a deeper dimension to the story. I highly recommend this book and guarantee it will prove to be an enjoyable experience!