Person
Cynthia Erivo books: every book Cynthia Erivo wrote and recommended
Across 2 podcasts. Every show Cynthia Erivo appears on, in one place — not just one.
Books by Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo is an English actress and singer. Known for her work on both stage and screen, she is the recipient of several accolades and one of few individuals nominated for an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award (EGOT), winning all but the Oscar. Erivo was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2026 New Year Honours for services to music and drama. During her podcast interviews on Las Culturistas and On Purpose with Jay Shetty, Erivo discussed several books that shaped her artistic career and personal life. She spoke about Alice Walker's classic novel The Color Purple, explaining how she felt a deep connection to the character Celie and knew she was destined to play the role. She also recalled picking up Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked with a classmate at drama school, where they memorized the musical score from back to front. Furthermore, Erivo mentioned reading George Eliot's Middlemarch on the set of Wicked and discussed her ongoing efforts to finish Hanya Yanagihara's emotionally intense novel A Little Life.
Books recommended by Cynthia Erivo
-
A Little Life
Discussed“That could be good; I still have to finish A Little Life. That’s a hard one!”
Where to get it
-
Life
Life is a multi-layered title encompassing works such as Hanya Yanagihara's acclaimed novel, Claire Tomalin's memoir, and biographical histories.
Discussed“I still have to to finish a little life I have to oh that's a hard God I know it's hard I know it's hard and I and I've put it off for a really long time”
Where to get it
-
Middlemarch
Middlemarch by George Eliot is a classic Victorian novel that explores provincial life, social reform, morality, and human relationships in a fictional English town.
Discussed“one final thing yes uh I was reading Middle March on set oh yes and I remember you got a copy I do you have a copy I haven't read yet I haven't I haven't finished it either I was going to ask you if you finished it”
Where to get it
-
The Color Purple
The Color Purple by Alice Walker is a classic epistolary novel following the life of Celie, an African American woman living in the American South who endures profound hardship and discovers her self-worth.
Discussed“The Color Purple came because I knew it was coming, and I was like, 'I know I'm supposed to play Celie.'”
Where to get it
-
Wicked
Wicked by Gregory Maguire is a celebrated 1995 revisionist fantasy novel that reimagines the Land of Oz from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West, serving as the foundational source for the hit musical and subsequent film adaptations.
Discussed“one of them happens to be Wicked and we learn that school back to front”
Where to get it
