Here is a book as joyous and painful, as mysterious and memorable, as childhood itself. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right. Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide. Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother … self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash.” At eight years old and back at her mother’s side in St. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age—and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime. Years later, in San Francisco, Maya learns that love for herself, the kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors (“I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare”) will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned.
Poetic and powerful, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings will touch hearts and change minds for as long as people read.
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings liberates the reader into life simply because Maya Angelou confronts her own life with such a moving wonder, such a luminous dignity.”—James Baldwin
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Isn’t she just wonderful? Do you know why a caged bird sings?
Maya Angelo is a brilliant poet and author. This is the first of six volumes of her biography. As a black women growing up in poverty and deprivation in the 1930’s
America by her grandmother she writes poignantly of her struggles with grinding poverty and sex abuse. The first time she saw a white person she thought it was a ghost. She is great woman who joined in the civil rights movement with Malcolm X. I loved this book.
Excellent true story. I loved it and I treasure my hardback copy I found for $1.00 at a used bookstore.
Love Myra A. Anything she write strike a chord in me.
An area I knew nothing about!
Heartbreaking but truly one of the most inspirational novels I’ve read. Despite the overwhelming adversities she was faced with, it was amazing how Maya Angelou persisted in hopes of a better life.
There are no words to adequately express the depth of emotions reading this book brings. To be able to thrive through adversity and rise above is a testament to the inner strength of the author. Maya Angelou’s gift to us is showing that no matter what happens there is always hope for a better tomorrow. I highly recommend reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
Should be on every required reading list for high schools in the USA. A beautiful classic.
Maya Angelou was truly a gifted woman, eloquent writer, and poet. “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” was a poignant telling of how she grew up during the time of continued harsh prejudice in America. She wrote from the heart about personal experiences throughout her own life. Beginning with her coming of age in a bigoted world, and how, through her writings, she overcame many of the obstacles she faced as a woman of color. Her perseverance was an enviable trait.
Heartbreaking and captivating
It interesting
Maya Angelou does not dwell on the treatment of a black woman in society, she merely tells about her life in this autobiography and the truths are evident. Her writing is special, descriptive, realistic and poetic all at the same time.
Stunning I found reality in every word — reread many times
It is incredible!
Maya, a heroine of our time.
classic, I reread as a refresher
I sadly remember the time in the rural south which is the setting for this autobiographical novel. Maya Angelou is the best at telling her life story in honest, though, though disturbing, terms
Love this whole series
I must admit to being a “huge” fan of Maya Angelou and all her works. This was the first book I ever read of her (besides her poetry). If you have not read it I feel it’s a must-read!
Maya Angelou is an author everyone should read! Her books are inspirational and will move the reader to tears and laughter. This is the book to start with and should convince any reader to keep on going through her works.