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
more
I remember reading this for high school. Good to reread.
Love Maya!
She was a wonderful wise woman
Memoirs are hard to rate because some stories are better than others, but overall this was a very nice read. Maya lead a very interesting life even before she turned 18 and I was never bored reading her stories. I’m a little disappointed that my high school never made me read this book, so I experienced it for the first time at 23, but I’m glad I did. I’d recommend this to anyone who already knows they like memoirs, but also to people who are just starting to get into them (like me!).
I rarely read biographies, but this one was exceptional.
I loved this book and and many of her books. This one caused me to want to read more of her’s and I did so eagerly.
A great American classic.
Beautiful way with words.
I really liked this book, it is a true story.
It’s Maya Angelo – that says it all!
I loved it. It helped me overcome the trauma of my past. Maya restored my hope that I would become a survivor of my painful past, of the short time before I found my true family.
A giant classic. Resiliance of the human spirit against unspeakable conditions. I tear up just seeing the cover art
Raw and hard to read. Not a bad book but you need to be prepared for the content. If this is a school assigned book, I would want to read it with my child to discuss as they proceed.
Maya Angelou is a must read for everyone!
The book runs the gambit from heartwrenching, unfathomable, to joyful, anf inspirational. A testament to the truth ” It is not what happens to you in life that can make or break you, but, rather how you deal/react to it!:
What’s not to love? A classic!
This autobiography is heart-rending, a tearjerker, yet it reaches deep down and grabs the very essence of life inside each and every one of us, and it forces us to see how very precious life truly is, and makes us find a way to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Maya has my respect and admiration for her strength, her honesty, and her amazing resiliency. Her writing will snag you from the first, and hold you ’til the end.
Everyone should read this inspiring book, and to have more undresatdning and compassion. for current struggles in our country
Loved the depth of the stories.
A carefully crafted memoir that allows the reader to feel what Maya Angelou felt as she came of age. Absolutely stunning prose!