‘Lovely One’ Review: A Timely and Intimate Glimpse Into Life Before the Supreme Court

On Sept. 12, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson ’92 came back to campus to discuss her new memoir, “Lovely One.” This event was hosted by the Harvard Book Store in conjunction with the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research and was moderated by Harvard Radcliffe Institute Dean Tomiko Brown-Nagin.

A powerfully constructed narrative, “Lovely One” focuses on Justice Jackson’s life before the spotlight and illustrates her journey to become the first Black woman in the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to intricately weaving her own story into the story of Civil Rights in the United States, Jackson offered intimate reflections on past experiences. In doing so, she removes the boundary between her public and private lives.

The memoir both begins and ends with her historic confirmation to the Supreme Court. This cyclical structure mirrors her own reflection on being “thrust into the white-hot spotlight.” This structure augments the book’s dual purpose as both a recounting of her journey to the Supreme Court and a personal reflection on what this means for her and the nation. Biblical themes also run through the narrative, enhancing discussions of family, justice, and faith.

Central to this narrative is the assertion by Jackson that she is the living manifestation of her ancestors’ hopes and dreams. Jackson opened with Maya Angelou’s famous quote, “I am the hopes and the dreams of the slave,” to acknowledge the groundbreaking nature of her ascent to the Supreme Court as a person affected by the systemic injustices of racism, sexism, and classism. During the Harvard Book Store event, Jackson explained that she hopes her memoir will inspire the next generation of young Black girls.

In her work, she frequently uses the word “striving” to describe the ethos of her life’s journey. From joining her high school debate team to the enormous effort she put into her law clerk positions, Jackson highlights how hard she worked. When viewed on its own, this narrative runs the risk of downplaying the ongoing impact of systemic injustice, which could in turn improperly redirect responsibility for the effects of racism. However, by constantly weaving milestones of the U.S. Black history and offering stories of her own dealings with racism, Jackson avoids this mistake. In doing so, she makes it clear that, while no amount of hard work can erase the effects of racism, one must believe in oneself if they hope to succeed.

In both this theme and others, Jackson’s sense of ethics shines throughout the memoir. As a jurist and writer, she comes across as a model of integrity and has been largely praised for her ability to remain strictly impartial. Even in her memoir, she manages to stay largely apolitical, focusing on her personal and professional evolution rather than taking partisan stances. Her lawyerly tone is present as she carefully defines terms, provides brief history lessons before diving into personal anecdotes, and ensures that her readers understand the context behind each story.

Nonetheless, the positioning of the memoir makes unstated yet poignant comparisons between Jackson’s own life and current events, hinting at her personal beliefs. For example, Jackson’s reflections on her time at Harvard are laden with discussions of race at predominantly white, elite institutions. She discusses the value of having Black friends in college, what she learned from her time with esteemed Black professors and professionals, and even the blatant racism she has faced. While not explicitly stated, it is easy to draw parallels between Jackson’s reflections and her dissenting opinion in the recent overturning of affirmative action in the Supreme Court Case, “Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College.”

There is a distinct timeliness to Jackson’s memoir, especially as it coincides with Kamala Harris's rise to the vice presidency, as her campaign tells many similar stories to that of the memoir regarding growing up in the post-Jim Crow era, attending elite universities, and pursuing a career in law as a Black woman.

As such, Jackson’s memoir is deeply vulnerable. In addition to speaking openly about the difficulties she faced as a Black woman in predominantly white institutions and her time at Harvard, her discussion of becoming a mother herself, framed within the context of the “Dobbs” decision overturning abortion rights, was particularly poignant. Once again, Jackson managed to paint her dissent as personal without explicitly commenting on the ruling.

In addition to the text itself, the audiobook version of “Lovely One” adds a layer of relatability and depth. Jackson’s voice is warm and personable, making her story feel even more intimate. Her inclusion of multimedia elements—songs, images, personal accounts, and quotes from poets—enriches the reading experience, offering a comprehensive view of her life.

In both the audiobook and text versions, Jackson also incorporates perspectives from friends and family, transforming the memoir into a holistic, comprehensive view of her life from all angles.

In my opinion, the most glaring and perhaps only flaw in “Lovely One” is the repetition of ideas, phrases, and narrative patterns throughout the individual stories and chapters. While this reflects Jackson’s natural, lawyerly state, readers may find this to be less than riveting. Likewise, those familiar with Jackson's previous interviews may not find a lot of new material beyond what made national headlines upon the memoir’s release, such as her discussion of her eldest daughter’s diagnosis of autism. However, the insights gained from her interviews with friends and family add fresh perspectives and retrospective depth.

In sum, “Lovely One” offers a uniquely intimate look at Jackson’s personal and professional journey, serving as a testament to the powers of resilience, history, love, and education. Ultimately, it is Jackson’s ability to reflect on her own life while embedding it within the broader narrative of American history that makes this a compelling read.

—Staff writer Lola J. DeAscentiis can be reached at lola.deascentiis@thecrimson.com.