All That Is Bitter and Sweet by Ashley Judd | Book Review

All That Is Bitter and Sweet: In 2002, award-winning film and stage actor Ashley Judd found her true calling: as a humanitarian and voice for those suffering in neglected parts of the world. After her first trip to the notorious brothels, slums, and hospices of southeast Asia, Ashley knew immediately that she wanted to advocate on behalf of the vulnerable. Seeking in-patient treatment in 2006 for the grief that had nearly killed her, Ashley found not only her own recovery and an enriched faith but the spiritual tools that energized and advanced her feminist social justice work.

All That Is Bitter and Sweet Is Not Your Typical Movie Star Memoir

Ashley Judd hardly discusses her movie career at all. It’s mostly about her traumatic childhood and her adult role as a humanitarian.

In All That Is Bitter and Sweet, Judd discusses her extremely dysfunctional childhood (how many memoirs would there be if people had functional childhoods?)

She discusses her problematic childhood here.

Her mother is Naomi Judd and her older sister is Wynonna Judd. Her mother and sister would sometimes leave her alone for days at a time and Ashley had to fend for herself.

Ashley’s childhood was chaotic and unstable.

She never felt that her emotional needs were being met. If she tried to voice her feelings, she was not taken seriously.

She was a brilliant student at the University of Kentucky. She studied French and women’s issues.

Ashley Judd Became A Movie Star

She realized that she wanted to be an actress. She was quite successful fairly quickly.

Her fame as an actress opened many doors to being involved at an international level.

Judd’s feelings of abandonment and abuse stood her in good stead as a humanitarian.

Ashley’s work has focused particularly on women’s issues,  especially in Third World countries.

Final Analysis

I like All That Is Bitter and Sweet. Ashley inspires me.

Ashley has found a real purpose for her life in humanitarian work.

She is also a profoundly religious person and has met with Desmond Tutu.

Ashley went on to graduate school at Harvard. She is continuing her fight for the rights of the poor and voiceless around the world.

If you liked this review, you can read about The New York Regional Mormon Single Halloween Dance by Elna Baker.

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