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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This book makes you open your mind to ideas you might have not thought was possible to think and how far we come as human beings.
One of the great American voices on overcoming personal trauma.
Sad story
I personally don’t know what to think about this book. It’s definitely not my best read, but it’s still one of the books I’m glad to have read. Some of the events narrated in the book are slow while others are shocking and enriching. Maya’s beautiful language cannot be easily overlooked and the way she has put her words in events of dignity, pride and sorrow makes the book unique. I wished the book would have ended differently, but if we are to look at the book’s best parts it’s a good read!
She’s a brilliant author.
It explained so much…. it was like a prelude to understanding her, understanding her poetry, her passion, and her drive in life. I was in awe after reading it.
I spoke with a friend of mine, a daughter of a southern sharecropper after reading it, please keep in mind, this lady and each of her eight siblings all have college degrees, and she is a ministers wife, was inspired to read the book after I raved about it.
(I was at the time, in my twenties , we live in Georgia, the Bible belt, yes I am white, my friend is black. This is important, because a couple of days later she came to me and said, ” I want you to know I finished that book of yours.”
I smiled and beamed, “Oh, did you not love it?”
She went on to tell me that no she did not love it! I sat quietly and listened to her, her families struggles with being black in the South, being sharecroppers, being female, wanting to be educated, and she informed me of hard work and dedication. I asked her how she could always be so happy? She then told me about her faith in her family and God.
There are so many wonderful stories, about strong black, white, Chinese, Mexican, and all other Nationalities that do not get published, or even heard. I understand why my friend did not like this book. I still do! I love my friends story as well.
We should put our hands together for all women. We all sacrifice fight our own wars, and most survive. ,
the first book of Maya Angelou that I ever read. It compelled me to read all of her other books.
If I was ever asked “what books have made an impact on your life ” this would be one of the books. Reading this book as a teenager helped me to believe that you could survive the bad things in your life. That bad things happened to good girls, but you did not let those things prevent you from becoming the women you wanted to be.
Simply poetic!
Maya Angelou can make you FEEL her words. Sometimes you cry. But, you always feel stronger.
I loved this biography of the fascinating and courageous Angelou.
An excellent book of the experience of minorities in the U.S.
One of my favorite books of all time!
Stunning
Boring, not enough to read all the way thru
This is about Maya’ s childhood and teenage years and how she deals with family, money issues, and becoming a mother at such a young age. She also learns how difficult it is to grow up during the times of segregation and war times.
One of her first books that I read many years ago.
Great Book
I can hear Maya Angelou’s voice while reading her books. She’s the best!
A must-read beginning to the gift that Maya Angelou gives women, Blacks, and Americans. My introduction to this book in 9th grade has led to a life long love affair with Maya Angelou and Africam American female writers in general. Powerful.