I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
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Book Reviews of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Book Review: Review:
Summary: 5 Stars
This books is the first of five books written about Maya Angelou (born Marguerite Johnson) chronicling her own life. She--and her brother Bailey--were sent to the Jim Crow South to live with their grandmother at a very young age. In this book, we follow her from childhood in Stamps, Arkansas to adulthood in WWII San Francisco.I don't know why I haven't read this book sooner. I admire Maya Angelou as a speaker and a poet, but it took something like Banned Books Week to make me get off my ass and read this book. I've had this book for a couple of years. I remember there was an excerpt from this book in my English 101 book when I first started college. I kept telling myself that I was going to read it soon, and I finally have.
I can see why the subject matter would concern some people, but I don't think this should be pulled from schools. I don't believe that she ever intended for this to be on a school's reading list, but it is (on some), and I think that it should stay there. It doesn't glorify racism or sexual abuse. Instead, it seems to teach a lesson and speak warnings.
Angelou's writing was candid. She didn't hold back about her life and the hardships that she encountered. She shares an honest view on racism and sexual abuse. The writing takes on a more personal tone that makes it easy to read. And of course, this was all related with a eloquent, poetical prose style that is uniquely Angelou.
Book Review: Angelou is a master of 'mother-wit'...
Summary: 5 Stars
I was raised, less than 75 miles from where Maya Angelou was born, so I recognize 'mother-wit' when I hear it. I Know Why the Caged Bird sings, is filled with the deep philosophical phrases and ideas common to wise old women of the south. Hardship, sharpens one's view, produces an economy of words that cut straight to the truth of a matter as does Caged Bird, in its flowing prose wrapped in 'mother-wit'.
The tragedy of child neglect, racism and child rape are presented in Caged Bird against the strengh of Maya's family upbringing by her proud Grandmother. You can feel that family strength rise up and save Maya, when she became mute after the mysterious 'sudden death' of her rapist. Maya felt the words of her own mouth killed a man, so she resolved to never speak again. Within this powerful decision of a small child, the beginnings of a great poet developed, as she wrote words on a tablet that she carried with her, instead of speaking. As our Maya turned in to herself for comfort, something was triggered within her, an awareness and insight into the beauty of words.
Reading Caged Bird gives you more than a story, it gives you insight into the birth of one of the greatest poets of our time: Maya Angelou.
Book Review: The caged birds sing of freedom...
Summary: 5 Stars
I had always been somewhat resistant when faced with the prospect of reading Maya Angelou's 'I know why the caged birds sing'. Perhaps it is the fact that it graces so many high school reading lists, and I remember the sense of dread of having to cram in a somewhat dull-ish book in a hour or two before an exam.But within a week and a half of reading this, I devoured the rest of her autobiographies with a mixture of such fascination and revulsion. Revulsion at the inhumanity, but taken by the beauty of Angelou's own humanity when dealing with those who oppress. The shear force of her womanhood is startling.
In some little way, I would go as far to say that this book has altered me, as I imagine it has altered many who have spent an evening curled up, turning page after perfect page.
Perhaps I feel more, I empathise a little more, perhaps I understand the process of self-acceptance a little better. Writing in itself is such a introverted period of self examination, and yet oddly, this book has the subtle power to suggest that the reader examine themselves.
It really is that brilliant, and certainly one i could have devoured at least a day before the exam.
Book Review: A canonical work in American literature
Summary: 5 Stars
Maya Angelou's memoir of growing up in the 1930's and 40's offers a cold, hard assessment of the petty indignities, fear and racism (both subtle and overt) African-Americans endured (and continue to live with.) But what makes this wonderful book shine is the way in which Maya (and her family and those around her) face, challenge and overcome these indignities. Added to this is Angelou's writing, which has a rythm, ebb and flow to it - in reading it is clear that she is a poet.
Added to the weight of racism, Angelou wrestles with sexism (making her doubly powerless: a woman and an African-American) and repeated and continuous displacement as she is shuttled from household to household. The transformation she makes from girl to womanhood is as powerful as it is moving. That she learns how to become the "formidible character" that many women of color are is a testament to her (and their) courage and strength. It is clear to me why this is considered such a seminal work in American literature. Easy to read yet powerful and uplifting, I highly recommend it.
Book Review: Maya deserves a Nobel Prize for Literature
Summary: 5 Stars
This was not the first book by Maya Angelou that I read and it is not my favourite but it is extraordinary! I have to confess that I have only become aware of Maya Angelou through Oprah Winfrey's talk show/book club. I had remembered seeing Maya interviewed on Oprah several years ago and am embarrassed (now) to say that I didn't watch the interview because I found she talked so slow. I cannot believe my own ignorance!!! When I read The Heart of a Woman because it was part of Oprah's book club I could not put it down and was immediately uplifted and mesmerized not only by Maya's 'life story' but also her writing style. I immediately went out to buy all of the other 4 books that comprise her memoir. Because I started with The Heart of a Woman I proceeded to Gather Together in My Name (my favorite). I Know why the Caged Bird Sings was the third book that I read and I can see why when it was published it created such a stir. Wow. I recommend this book to anyone and I hope that you will be as uplifted as I was by this incredible woman.