*This is a book review of Unfinished by Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
“… confidence is not a permanent state of being… It’s something you can work to develop and something you have to work to maintain.”
– Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Quick Facts
Author: Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Release Date: February 9, 2021
Genre: Memoir
Number of Pages: 256
SJ Rating: 96%
The Synopsis
Step into the life, mind, and heart of Priyanka Chopra Jonas as she recounts pivotal moments that brought her to where she is today, the beginning of her life.
The Good
To be honest, I don’t know if this will contain me fangirling over her more than it will contain material that falls under the category of “book review.” Still, let’s rave.
For starters, I absolutely love that she starts each chapter with a quote. I don’t know if you can tell, but I’m a sucker for quotes. All the quotes she chose are powerful and thought-provoking.
After reading this memoir, I want to be Priyanka’s best friend. Her recollection of New York, especially The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, solidifies my desire to be best friends with her. I appreciate how unfictionalized this book is. Like, if she doesn’t remember the details of a specific moment, she’ll come right out and say it. On the other hand, she is so incredibly descriptive and 100% Priyanka. Like she said, “Writing a memoir jogs your memory, bringing to light things that have been pushed below the level of awareness, things that we might rather forget.” You can tell there wasn’t help from other writers, like a ghost writer. Priyanka possesses excellent storytelling skills.
More reasons I need to be best friends with Priyanka (or at least meet her so she can bestow her life wisdom upon me): She doesn’t name any of the men she was “involved” with before Nick. Like, she’s so sincere and genuine; can I give her a hug?
When it comes to her beautiful relationship with Nick, I reread every line of that chapter. It’s beautiful and so nice getting the actual story of how they came together. She said, “Sometimes when you’re not looking for love, it appears right in front of you.” Continually, I appreciate her addressing the age difference and giving glimpses into her thought process when it comes to that aspect of their relationship. Talking about their marriage and weddings: “It was the formal beginning of supporting each other’s needs in a balanced way, of being able to talk about those things openly and honestly. A wedding is a lot of fun. A marriage is a lot of fun, too, but it’s also work.”
This memoir is educational in a way I never expected. I genuinely appreciate learning about a culture completely different from America; there was a deep dive in what she called the Hindu-speaking culture.
Something I’ve always been interested in is the story behind her nose because I knew there had to be a story there, and I was thrilled we got the story. Though, it’s not a bad ass fight like I thought it was.
Pictures. I adore every single one, and they really add to the story of her life; it is incredibly mind blowing how she looks so much like her mom. Personally, I think the best picture is the combination of Nick and Priyanka’s immediate families.
Lastly, the interior design major in me was obsessed with the last chapter where she looks at her life as a house and explores the different rooms that make up the glorious, unfinished Priyanka Chopra.
The Bad
The bad has nothing to do with the actual writing. More so, I am ashamed with the way the church treated her grandmother when she married outside of her religion. Churches shunning people out gives Christians a bad reputation, and it’s so disheartening that there are “Christians” out there who treat people like this.
Again, this is nothing against Priyanka. Throughout the book, there is a message of how people who are fair-skinned have an easier life and more opportunities. It’s crazy that the same idea of white superiority is literally everywhere.
The Overall
There is a big sense of gratitude throughout the memoir, which had a big smile on my face during most of my read.
I want to take a month to watch her entire discography, starting with Quantico. However, I currently have fifteen shows I am trying to finish so it’ll be a long while before I try to conquer this mission. For now, I will wait on the movie she is creating with Mindy Kaling (dream come true!) and watch it as soon as it premieres.
This is the first time I’ve binged a memoir, and I will definitely read it again.
Next book to be read and reviewed: You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
“But is there a world in which those who are blessed with more might build a larger table rather than building a higher fence?”
– Priyanka Chopra Jonas
