Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou's Autobiography, #1)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou's Autobiography #1)

by Maya Angelou

4.14 of 5 stars 4.14 · rating details · 211,209 ratings · 4,797 reviews

Sent by their mother to live with their devout, 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. Yea ...more

Paperback , 320 pages

Published December 1st 1987 by Virago Press (first published 1969)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

Or buy for

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings , please sign up .

Lists with This Book

What's Behind Your Belly Button? A Psychological Perspective ... by Martha Char Love

The Ecological Rift by John Bellamy Foster

Books for counselor educators

22nd out of 60 books — 52 voters

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Titles that start with I, J, or K

62nd out of 467 books — 55 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort : default (?) | rating details

Jun 26, 2008 Brad rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book. It was required reading for a University course I took on Adolescent Literature.

This book has been placed on banned book lists by needlessly close-minded people for it's real life content.

The book tastefully addresses issues of molestation, rape, racism. But it does so within the context of the trials and tribulations of growing up as well.

The book presents things in a direct and extremely vivid fashion, but it is not garishly or needlessly graphic. These are issues ...more

flag 110 likes · Like · see review

Jul 27, 2015 Arthur Graham marked it as to-read · review of another edition

I must confess I've read precious little Angelou in my time, but I'll never forget the day she tipped me $20.

It was some random gray day in Marquette, Michigan, must've been the winter of '00, and I was washing dishes as usual at the downtown Landmark Inn. Someone tapped me on the shoulder and said, "hey, there's a VIP coming in, put on your bellboy hat and head out front." I didn't put on my bellboy hat because I didn't have one — just the same dirty, drenched apron I wore every day in that yea ...more

flag 97 likes · Like · see review

May 28, 2014 Brian rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My mother could never really speak to me about the abuse she suffered as a little girl - the closest we came to talking about her experiences occurred when we read this painful and important book together. I imagine that Maya's book has allowed countless women who have suffered similar horrors an opportunity to know they will never be alone in their pain. And perhaps, like my mother, an opportunity to begin to heal by sharing their story with a loved one.

RIP, Maya. Your words have made this plan ...more

flag 81 likes · Like · see review

May 22, 2014 Dawn rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

May 2014: I wrote this review a year and a half ago. It is written from the perspective of a parent who cares about what her teenage children read in school. I hope it may be useful to other parents, teens, and anyone else who cares about content and wants to make informed decisions about what they read. I received mostly negative reactions to my review, but also a few positive comments which encouraged me. After a year of dealing with it all, I wanted to be done and move on, so I closed the com May 2014: I wrote this review a year and a half ago. It is written from the perspective of a parent who cares about what her teenage children read in school. I hope it may be useful to other parents, teens, and anyone else who cares about content and wants to make informed decisions about what they read. I received mostly negative reactions to my review, but also a few positive comments which encouraged me. After a year of dealing with it all, I wanted to be done and move on, so I closed the comment section. If you wish to read through the comments, you'll see a few posts I wrote in reply. My final comments are in the last two posts. This is my personal reaction to the book, and I support your right to make your own choices about what you read, too.

I read this book because my teenage son was going to be required to read it in his English class at school. I did not want to read the book because I was aware of its content. But I felt it necessary in order to be able to talk to the teacher about my objections. So I did not like this book. My degree in Comparative Literature enables me to recognize some literary value in Caged Bird, as well as historical and social value. I believe Maya Angelou is a talented writer. I admire some of her poetry. But her series of autobiographical books includes too much explicit and disturbing sexual content for me. And I certainly did not want my 15 year old son to have to read it! He did not want to read it and my husband and I completely supported his choice.

The most graphic and disturbing sexual material in Caged Bird involves the rape of the author as an eight year old girl. This horrible experience deeply affects her life. But I believe our teenage children can understand that terrible things like this happen, without needing to be dragged through the muck of the sordid details. Ms. Angelou writes vividly. My son does not want those images in his head, and I fully support him. I can see this book being taught at the college level, but I strongly feel that it is not appropriate for high school required reading. In my son's advanced English class, this book was one of six main texts. In the regular English class, there are only two main texts, and this is one of them. How sad, when there are so many other great literary works to choose from which are clean.

My son's teacher was nice and professional about it. Another English teacher was not so nice. She acted surprised that I would characterize the book as "R-rated." She said that we could see worse things on prime-time TV. Our (my husband's and my) response was "That's why we choose not to watch those TV shows!" It bothered me that she would try to use the "everybody's doing it" excuse. Just because our society's standards of decency continue to plummet, is no reason to embrace them! It is an American Lit class, so I suggested a couple of other texts as options if the purpose was to address the African American experience. But this book is obviously one of that teacher's favorites, so she defended it. The teachers did say that our son could choose to read a different book. However, because the class structure was centered on discussion, we and our son chose to have him read an 'edited version' of Caged Bird instead. I just told him which chapters to skip. And I'm glad that our son happened to have the more sympathetic teacher.

So I'm done with my rant now. Just needed to get that out. I'm glad that I love to read so I can be alert to what my children are exposed to at school. I know other parents who would also object to this book if they were more aware of the content. And I understand that it's hard to keep up with our kids sometimes. I expect we'll run into this problem again at the high school. But on the bright side, I also get to enjoy discussing good books with my children!

...more

flag 56 likes · Like · see review

view all 36 comments

Dawn The last few comments I've received are offensive. I've deleted a few of the worst. It makes me sad and frustrated to feel misunderstood and misjudged ...more
Oct 30, 2013 08:04PM

Dawn I closed the comment section on my review of this book after a year of dealing with a lot of offensive posts. However, I find myself wanting to add on ...more
Dec 13, 2013 09:51PM

Sep 09, 2015 Nandakishore Varma rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Caged Bird

A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

The above poem by Maya Angelou (not ...more

flag 42 likes · Like · see review

view all 10 comments

Nandakishore Varma Miriam wrote: "Nandakishore wrote: "Ken wrote: "Oh, I hate to be "that" guy, but the title of the book actually comes from Paul Laurence Dunbar's Symp ...more
Jun 15, 2015 08:53AM

Miriam He's mostly known now for written Southern-negro-dialect popular verses, but he also wrote the traditional sort of 19th century poetry full of classic ...more
Jun 15, 2015 01:03PM

Nov 14, 2012 Rowena rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: afrocentric , american-lit , banned-book-challenges

I'm quite ashamed that it's taken me this long to read this book. Maya Angelou is so inspirational to many people so reading about her childhood and adolescence was really special. I found her autobiography tragic and also hopeful at the same time. Things have changed a lot since Angelou's childhood, such as segregation, and colourism in the black community (to an extent). The fact that she went through that period of history and is alive to see the first Black president in US history is just wo ...more

flag 40 likes · Like · see review

view all 15 comments

Shen Chen Great review- I feel the same way. Have delayed reading this book and finally slowly getting into it
Feb 18, 2015 12:33AM

Rowena Shen wrote: "Great review- I feel the same way. Have delayed reading this book and finally slowly getting into it"

Thank you, Shen! I hope you enjoy th ...more
Feb 18, 2015 08:59AM

May 29, 2014 Jami rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In her nonfiction autobiography, Maya Angelou describes her life from her young girl life up to the birth of her first child at age 16. The book drew me in at the very beginning because of the talent Angelou has with language, scenery, and loading the moment with emotion. Another intense draw for me was the fact that it is a nonfiction book. I was constantly thinking I can’t believe she had these experiences.

(SPOILER ALERT)When Maya turned three, she and her brother, Bailey, went to live with h In her nonfiction autobiography, Maya Angelou describes her life from her young girl life up to the birth of her first child at age 16. The book drew me in at the very beginning because of the talent Angelou has with language, scenery, and loading the moment with emotion. Another intense draw for me was the fact that it is a nonfiction book. I was constantly thinking I can’t believe she had these experiences.

(SPOILER ALERT)When Maya turned three, she and her brother, Bailey, went to live with her grandmother in Arkansas because of her mother’s divorce. They worked doing strenuous, everyday chores and the grandmother, referred to by the children as “Momma”, instilled in them religion and values. When Maya was eight and Bailey nine, they went to live with their mother in California. They loved knowing who their mother was finally—a beautiful, successful, hardworking woman. Soon, however, Maya was raped by her mother’s live in boyfriend. After being on the witness stand in court, Maya was terrified what would happen to her brother because of the threats that he mentioned about killing Bailey if she spoke to anyone about what happened. Maya didn’t have to worry about this for long, however, because the perpetrator was killed a few nights later. The children were placed in a ping-pong game of having to move to different places and learn to adjust throughout their difficult circumstances. The ping-pong game was relevant to more than moving; their emotions and identities seemed to follow the same pattern.

I loved this book although it has been censored and banned from schools and classrooms quite often. Because of the issues illustrated in the book, I think that this book would be most effective for students who are juniors or seniors in high school or older. Angelou had a difficult life with challenges beyond what I can wrap my mind around, and her blunt honesty tells it how it was. This fact was both hard and captivating. The book should be read by parents before handed down to teens, but if discussed properly, it has the potential for many teaching and learning opportunities. The book discusses graphic and disturbing conflicts in the book including (but not limited to) the following: racial prejudice and violence, sexual abuse, violence, language, prostitution, and an unwanted pregnancy. If discussed properly, the book would provide a great learning experience for both student and teacher as discovery occurs.
...more

flag 36 likes · Like · see review

Amy believe it
Jun 21, 2010 07:40PM

Carrie Just a minor correction to your review, they went to live with their mom in St. Louis. Their dad lived in California. Liked your review though.
Feb 25, 2012 11:15PM

Catherine This review should come with a SPOILER ALERT WARNING! As a person who just purchased a set of 6 of her books I wanted to simply know if I am making th ...more
Aug 02, 2012 04:15PM

Oct 28, 2014 Nicole~ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: autobiography , fem-bot

4.5 stars
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a personal account told in the voice of a child cleverly reconstructed by an adult narrator. Through the observations of Maya, the child, comes a coming-of-age story - a social record of a young black female growing up in the 1930s. As an historical document 'Caged Bird' covers the bigotry, cruelty, oppression and the constant threat of death that constituted daily life in the South.

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed fo 4.5 stars
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a personal account told in the voice of a child cleverly reconstructed by an adult narrator. Through the observations of Maya, the child, comes a coming-of-age story - a social record of a young black female growing up in the 1930s. As an historical document 'Caged Bird' covers the bigotry, cruelty, oppression and the constant threat of death that constituted daily life in the South.

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.*

The autobiography is also a representation that can be read as a feminist observation. The Black female is assaulted in her tender years by all those common forces of nature at the same time that she is caught in the tripartite crossfire of masculine prejudice, white illogical hate and Black lack of power. Maya was fortunate to have the unbending support from strong, financially independent, no-nonsense women like Momma (her paternal grandmother) who owned land and a grocery business, her mother Vivian who owned a gambling hall, and even her politically well-placed, octoroon maternal grandmother Baxter: all whose convictions not to be dependent on men, provided Maya with the foundation on which to build her self-assurance.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.*

More significantly, after the violent traumatic and pivotal experience of her young life from which she 'loses' her speech, we are reminded that abject struggle often precede success; it is through her strong willed teacher, Mrs. Flowers, that Maya finds confidence, self worth and retrieves from imprisonment her voice. The last part of Maya's journey through adolescence is poignant in the mother/ daughter / infant visual, and although she is still uncertain and insecure, she receives the promise of maturity: Mother whispered, “See, you don't have to think about doing the right thing. If you're for the right thing, then you do it without thinking.”

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.*

Maya Angelou eloquently articulated how the painful struggles and scattered happy experiences of growing up in the South had a significant role in the shaping of the gifted, outspoken, determined, inspirational person she became.

The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.*

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is the first in the magnificent six-volume autobiography of Maya Angelou (April 1928 - May 2014): a poet, author, civil rights activist, professor, feminist. A brilliant achievement, highly recommend. My copy is from The Collected Autobiographies of Maya Angelou ( Modern Library) 2012

*verses from the poem 'Caged Bird' by Maya Angelou, are not presented in original sequence.
...more

flag 34 likes · Like · see review

Feb 08, 2010 Caris rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010

Maya Angelou has been on my mental to-read list for years. It all started one day when I helped some guy at the library find her books on the shelf. He gratefully gathered all of them up- books and audios, poetry and prose- and set off to the distant recesses of the building to enjoy them.

The specific place he went to enjoy them, apparently, was the children’s restroom, as that’s where I found all the covers torn off and unceremoniously stuffed into a trash can. I dutifully pulled them out, one Maya Angelou has been on my mental to-read list for years. It all started one day when I helped some guy at the library find her books on the shelf. He gratefully gathered all of them up- books and audios, poetry and prose- and set off to the distant recesses of the building to enjoy them.

The specific place he went to enjoy them, apparently, was the children’s restroom, as that’s where I found all the covers torn off and unceremoniously stuffed into a trash can. I dutifully pulled them out, one by one, and showed them to the librarian. So, if you’re reading this, somewhat-scruffy-intelligent-looking-guy-with-the-backpack:

You’re an asshole.

Anyway, that was where my interest came from. I have a perverse fascination with things people steal from libraries. To steal that which you already get for free suggests a really primal need, in this case for Maya Angelou. And if that guy had an insatiable need for her, then, by god, so did I.

So I started reading it and it wasn’t until about halfway through that I realized I wasn’t liking it. Technically, it’s good. Her words are lovely and the prose flows well. She jumps from one major plot point to the next, sparing the reader from anything mundane that may have happened to her. And her life was certainly exciting enough to warrant several works. Her sexual abuse and dysfunctional family were enough to best Jeannette Walls any day. I think I just wasn’t in the mood for it. There are times when you enjoy serious literary contributions and times when you should really just watch TV.

So, why the five stars? Because it’s a good book. An important book. An immensely important book. This ranks right up there with The Autobiography of Malcolm X , in my opinion, as one of the best studies of growing up black in a segregated world. Is it worth stealing? Absolutely. But only if one is willing to trade eternal damnation for the privilege. Now, I’m not a religious man, but I think that removing this book from the hands of those who could really benefit from it is a crime against humanity. And, if for no other reason, I hope god exists so that he can pull a Job on that Angelou thieving son of a bitch.
...more

flag 34 likes · Like · see review

Oct 10, 2014 Stephanie rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommends it for: noone

Recommended to Stephanie by: Classics Bookclub at 5 Minutes for Books Blog

Shelves: 2009 , classics , memoir

When I picked up I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou I knew two things:

1. The author is friends with Oprah and the Clintons.
2. The book is considered a classic.

The book is mostly set in the tiny town of Stamps, Arkansas. I lived much of my childhood within an hour's drive of Stamps so I found that detail very interesting.

The account of life as a Negro (the term Ms. Angelou uses) in rural Arkansas was fascinating. Some of it brought to mind memories of my own childhood (though I am "l ...more

flag 28 likes · Like · see review

view all 53 comments

Marie Thank you. I have considered reading this book, but I will not. At 65 I don't want those images burned into my brain either. I feel compassion for thi ...more
Apr 09, 2015 06:55PM

Megan I am writing again after a span of several years of teaching, thinking, etc.. I will say this: I still believe this book, placed in the hands of certa ...more
Aug 12, 2015 05:15PM

Mar 08, 2015 Jean rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Jean by: Donald

Shelves: around-the-world-challenge , auto-and-biography , classics , non-fiction , kindle

I have only ever given 5 stars to two autobiographies. One was written by a white English man; the other by a black American woman. On the surface you would think they could have very little in common, yet they do. They both have insight and compassion, which comes through in every sentence. They have both shown enormous courage in almost intolerable situations. In short, they have a common humanity. The white man is Terry Waite. The black woman, Maya Angelou.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by M ...more

flag 24 likes · Like · see review

view all 11 comments

Jean Thanks Mona and Kate :)

I hope you don't think I'm singing England's praises in this area though. To be fair I should say that England - in fact Great ...more
updated Mar 08, 2015 04:01PM

Jean Actually, I can't find anywhere I haven't qualified it already Mona :)
Mar 08, 2015 04:53PM

Aug 30, 2014 Paul rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: autobiography

The first of Angelou's series of autobiographies and a powerful account of growing up and coming of age in 1930s/40s America. In the background and foreground are racism, violence against women and the problem of identity. It is written with clarity and great force; there is no hiding from what you are reading.
It would be superfluous to sum up the book or outline its contents; it should be read. So I will just add a few thoughts and reflections.
Beacuse of the strong brother/sister relationship, ...more

flag 22 likes · Like · see review

view all 4 comments

Dolors I recently visited the San Francisco Railway Museum and learnt the amazing fact that Maya Angelou was the first black woman to apply for a job as a st ...more
updated Aug 31, 2014 05:05AM

Zanna I think racism is thriving under cover of the idea of progress and the ostensible framework of equality.
Oct 05, 2014 03:08AM

Nov 25, 2014 Willow rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

“What you looking at me for?
I didn’t come to stay…”

That’s how Maya Angelou’s beautifully written autobiography starts out…like a poem. Maya has a way of describing places so real that you’re there, basking in her nostalgia, your stomach growling because all the food sounds so good.

And the people, her family, are vibrant, distinct, and individual, as if Maya wrote a poem for each and every one of them. I kept thinking of Charles Dickens characters, yet these were real people Maya knew. She just makes them seem larger than life, and I loved that. The array of emotions Maya conveys is powerful. I almost think you feel her book more than read it (if that makes sense).

During the course of the book, I grew to love Maya. She has this forgiving way of finding compassion and grace in almost everybody, even to the man who raped her when she was eight, or the bitch who stabbed her. Her childhood is scary, cruel. Parts of it I was dreading, but yet somehow Maya finds the humor, telling stories that made me laugh out loud. I would have loved to sit and chat with Maya, simply because she seems to be nonjudgmental, startlingly honest, and comfortable in her own skin. She's learned to not regret. She always goes after what she wants. I find her inspiring.

With such beautiful writing, you’re probably wondering why I knocked off a star. It’s because the book doesn’t feel like a story. It’s a bunch of Maya’s childhood memories strung together. The ending didn’t end. There was no proper climax. While there were suspenseful moments, there was not a running suspenseful story that drove me on. I enjoyed reading the book when I was reading; however, I could set the book down easily. I’m more of a pulpy, romance, suspense reader that needs a driving story. I admit though that it’s good for me to read a classic now and then.

I definitely recommend reading this book for many reasons. Maya writes about a time, a place and about racism with quiet eloquence that is simply quite moving.
...more

flag 22 likes · Like · see review

view all 11 comments

Willow Yes, I figured you were probably swamped. I think you'll love Maya's writing. I'll be looking forward to reading your thoughts on this.
Oct 04, 2014 11:03PM

Willow Killer Rabbit wrote: "I love how you embraced Maya, Willow! A friend once told me that when we confess the sins that we did and those that were done t ...more
Oct 06, 2014 08:05PM

Apr 28, 2015 Carmen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Anyone

Recommended to Carmen by: School

Shelves: non-fiction , traditionally-published

RE-READ: 06/16/2014

This is my third time reading this book.

I think that this is an important book. Angelou relates her experiences of growing up black in America. This book covers birth-16.

Even though at times this book is really painful to read (when she's raped at age 8; when she goes to the white dentist), I think it is important to read it anyway. If this were a novel I wouldn't say that. I believe you should just ignore or not read fiction books that you don't enjoy reading. (I adore Anna ...more

flag 19 likes · Like · see review

Feb 06, 2011 Paul rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction , banned-book

Now that I've researched, read, and reviewed a number of banned and challenged books, I'm no longer surprised that writing about sex, particularly from a young woman's point of view, whips up fear and suppression. And there's plenty of sex in Maya Angelou's childhood memoir, starting with her rape, at the age of 9, by her mother's live-in boyfriend, continuing with her description of her mother's life as a prostitute, her adventures in Mexico while her father visits a whorehouse, her teen-aged f Now that I've researched, read, and reviewed a number of banned and challenged books, I'm no longer surprised that writing about sex, particularly from a young woman's point of view, whips up fear and suppression. And there's plenty of sex in Maya Angelou's childhood memoir, starting with her rape, at the age of 9, by her mother's live-in boyfriend, continuing with her description of her mother's life as a prostitute, her adventures in Mexico while her father visits a whorehouse, her teen-aged fear of being a lesbian, and her first self-initiated sexual encounter and subsequent pregnancy at the age of 16. But that's not all: she pokes fun at her grandmother's old-fashioned Arkansas Christianity and morality; she glorifies inner-city black lawlessness and crime; she lives in a junkyard for a month with other homeless children; she's scornful of white people. Worst of all from the censors' view, I suspect, is that she does not accept her place: she's smart, determined, and uppity. As far as Maya Angelou's own writing, I have to say that while she captured me throughout first two-thirds of the book, she lost me during the last third . . . I went from being absorbed and engaged to merely reading out of academic interest. From the time she runs away from her father in Los Angeles, the tone of her writing changes: detailed recollections of childhood, filled with fascinating detail, humor, and astute observations of character, suddenly stop, and Maya's memoir becomes compressed, rushed, and vague. Huge and important things happen afterward: her brother runs away from home; she becomes the first black streetcar employee in San Francisco; she decides to prove she is not a "pervert" (her own word) by asking a neighbor boy to have sex with her; she becomes pregnant and has a child -- but Maya covers all this in a hurry, almost as if she's writing about someone else. I don't understand why she put aside the momentum she'd built up during the first two-thirds of her memoir, and that makes me like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings a little less than I want to. Still, it's an important, ground-breaking book, and there are three very good reasons to read it: one, to tweak the censors' noses; two, to learn something of what it is to be a black girl in America; three, to hear the voice of a strong black woman who is not Oprah! ...more

flag 16 likes · Like · see review

May 13, 2015 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: memoir , non-fiction , read-2014

In this touching and tragic coming-of-age autobiography, Maya Angelou lays it all out there for everyone to see her challenging roller coaster of a life from age 3-16. While descriptively graphic in detail, the memoir also exhibits bits of humor in the narrative. I found Maya to be a kind, intelligent and courageous young girl despite her naïveté, and very fortunate to have a loving grandmother (Momma) and brother. Momma really was a tough ole bird too; the outcome of her encounter with Dentist ...more

flag 15 likes · Like · see review

Jul 02, 2015 Kirstine rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography-memoir , reviewed , 500-gbw

“ The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors and deserves respect if not enthusiastic acceptance. ”

I cannot deny the importance of this work, nor would I want to. It is in many ways a great work, and I applaud Maya Angelou for her honesty, and for the courage it must have taken, not only to write this book, but to have lived “ The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors and deserves respect if not enthusiastic acceptance. ”

I cannot deny the importance of this work, nor would I want to. It is in many ways a great work, and I applaud Maya Angelou for her honesty, and for the courage it must have taken, not only to write this book, but to have lived this life with her head held high.

However, it didn’t quite work for me. I found the individual stories interesting and captivating, they were descriptive and stunning in their detail, but they were cut off abruptly, and instead of melting into each other, with one following the next seamlessly, it seemed forced and fragmented.

These stories shared the presence of Maya, but thematically (if you can say such a thing about moments from a persons life) they were disconnected and made the book seem not the story of her life, but a collection of moments from her life. I wish I’d read it like that – that it had been written with that in mind – I would have gotten so much more out of it. Instead I kept waiting for her to return to observations or stories or people from earlier in the book and expand on them, to let me know what happened next, but all these moments, while appearing in the order they happened, mostly stand alone, and don’t bleed into each other.

This seems a ridiculous complaint, compared to the gravity of the work, but it sadly kept me from fully immersing myself in the story.

Still, despite my dislike of its fragmented presentation, I’m in awe of the stories she tells, the way she tells them and the honesty which she employs to reach the reader. Or perhaps not to reach the reader, but out of respect for her own experiences and the experiences of people like her, who went through the same thing. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, she seems to say, be proud of everything you are and everything that made you this way.

Her language is mesmerizing and her stories are at times brutal, but nevertheless filled with beauty and love and human understanding. Maya Angelou is a remarkable woman and this is a must read for anyone.

I might not have liked the narrative structure of it, but I loved the words I read. And I’m grateful for having read it.

“ Life is going to give you just what you put in it. Put your whole heart in everything you do, and pray, then you can wait. ” ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

view all 5 comments

Kirstine Zanna wrote: "I don't think you should feel bad about not liking aspects of the book = )"

Thanks, Zanna :) Sometimes I can get a little weird about not ...more
Oct 08, 2014 04:37AM

Zanna I think there is too much obligation and snobbery around books
Oct 19, 2014 12:35PM

Feb 04, 2011 Invidia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001

Hmm, congratulations to Ms. Angelou on braving struggles most people wouldn't have survived. As she wrote, "The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors and deserves respect if not enthusiastic acceptance."

However, being a '90s child, the book was very anachronistic to me. I've appreciated Victorian novels tremendously, havin ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Sep 26, 2010 JG (The Introverted Reader) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own , 4_stars , z_author_american , biography_memoir , non-fiction , z_read_in_2010 , reviewed , z_setting_us , strong_females , titles_i_like , banned-challenged

The first volume in Maya Angelou's autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is not an easy read. It picks up when she's three and her brother is four and they're being shipped from California to Arkansas--alone on a train. They live with their paternal grandmother for years. Maya writes poignantly and heart-breakingly, but never with self-pity, about life as an African-American girl in a segregated South.

I'm having a hard time writing this review. I occasionally run into this problem with The first volume in Maya Angelou's autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is not an easy read. It picks up when she's three and her brother is four and they're being shipped from California to Arkansas--alone on a train. They live with their paternal grandmother for years. Maya writes poignantly and heart-breakingly, but never with self-pity, about life as an African-American girl in a segregated South.

I'm having a hard time writing this review. I occasionally run into this problem with memoirs. Who am I to judge what someone has had the courage to put on display for all the world to read? They have generally lived through experiences that I don't even want to think about.

Maya, or Marguerite as she's mostly called in the book, is a "tender-hearted" soul. She's intelligent, she's a reader, she's a dreamer, but she has no prospects, simply because of the color of her skin. She unflinchingly lays down her history. There were parts that I had an unbelievably hard time reading, but by sharing them, Maya lets the world remember what segregation leads to, and even lets others who have shared some of her experiences know that they are not alone. Some sections left me feeling sickened by the casual cruelty of humanity, others left me infuriated for the same reason. I was never indifferent.

It's not all darkness and misery though. She has good times growing up too. There's one scene at a picnic that stands out as a beautiful bright spot. And when she meets some of the women who become her mentors, they are spots of hope also, encouraging us to reach out to those less fortunate than ourselves.

I did feel like this book just kind of stopped. I guess you could say that it stopped when her childhood ended, but there's not much of a conclusion or a wrap up.

Pick this up to read a story of survival against the odds. Actually, she more than survives. Wikipedia describes her as "one of the most honored writers of her generation" and follows up with a long list of honors and awards.

I read this book for Banned Book Week 2010. Read a banned book and decide for yourself. ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Feb 17, 2015 Karina E rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2015

3.5 stars - A lot of wisdom and powerful memories are shared in these moving glimpses into Angelou's life and her writing is beautiful and captivating. I would have loved more though. Especially the last part of the book feels like a set up for what there was still to come.

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

May 21, 2011 jzhunagev rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommends it for: to those raring to read African-American Literature, this is a good start!

Recommended to jzhunagev by: the "Voice"

Shelves: classics , award-winning-best-seller , non-fiction , biography-and-memoir , drama , 2011-reads , dark-chest-of-wonders , from-book-to-film

Defying the Odds
(A Book Review of Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings )

The first volume in a five part nonfiction autobiography series, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings chronicles Maya Angelou’s coming-of-age in the segregated South during the 1930’s.

“If growing up is painful for the Southern Black girl, being aware of her displacement is the rust on the razor that threatens the throat. It is an unnecessary insult.”

Told in the first person reflective prose, the multi-talented Angelou r ...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

K.D. Absolutely Another great review, but... where is the "pocketbook"?
May 22, 2011 04:45PM

jzhunagev K.D. wrote: "Another great review, but... where is the "pocketbook"?"

Like all men, the "pocketbook" will forever be in our hearts. Nyahaha! :D
May 22, 2011 07:17PM

jzhunagev My Darling Regine (truthfully, I miss saying those words), thank you for the "like." ...more
May 22, 2011 09:12PM

Mar 05, 2011 Bev rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: autobiography

"The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors and deserves respect if not enthusiastic acceptance."

That quote sums up the entire experience of reading Maya Angelou's honest, heart-breaking, and wonderfully written story of growing up black in the 30s and 40s. That she can make her story so real to someone who grew up white, m "The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors and deserves respect if not enthusiastic acceptance."

That quote sums up the entire experience of reading Maya Angelou's honest, heart-breaking, and wonderfully written story of growing up black in the 30s and 40s. That she can make her story so real to someone who grew up white, middle-class and with a stable family life, is an amazing feat. She uses lyric language as well as witty satire to bring home to the reader exactly what her life was like. She deftly portrays the courage, dignity and endurance needed to survive a childhood filled with suffering, prejudice, and inequality.

After being shipped back and forth between parents she never really knew and a grandmother who served as mother for most of her growing up years; after many experiences that drove home to Maya the differences between her life and that of "whitefolks"; after several emotionally and sexually disturbing incidents--it is amazing what this woman has become. Honored poet and author, playwright, award-recipient and holder of many honorary degrees--Maya Angelou and all the strong women like her truly do deserve our respect.

I am glad that my Birth Year Reading Challenge brought this book into my list of books read. Its raw emotion and sensitivity made it a difficult read, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Four and a half stars out of five.

This review was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block . Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Jul 25, 2014 Chrissie rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bio , race , usa , downpour , 2014-read , disliked , life-stages

If I ask myself if I liked the time spent with the book, the honest answer is no. I cannot even give this 2 stars. For me it was not OK.

Please note that I respect the bravery of the woman who dared to write about her life as a child and through her teens, until she becomes a woman, and how she was sexually and psychologically exploited. At the book’s end, at the age of about seventeen she was a woman and an adult. Life had hardened her. I respect her, but I am not judging her when I give the bo If I ask myself if I liked the time spent with the book, the honest answer is no. I cannot even give this 2 stars. For me it was not OK.

Please note that I respect the bravery of the woman who dared to write about her life as a child and through her teens, until she becomes a woman, and how she was sexually and psychologically exploited. At the book’s end, at the age of about seventeen she was a woman and an adult. Life had hardened her. I respect her, but I am not judging her when I give the book one star. I want to be very clear on that point. She even has the ability to look back and tell some of the events with humor. That takes strength!

I do not think the book is well written. The writing simply did not appeal to me. I did not enjoy the words chosen to express her feelings and experiences. Life has delivered to her one beating after another. Her writing reflects her strong character and her thick-skinned attitude toward life. The lines are to the point, straight-forward and presented in a no-nonsense voice.

This is a coming of age story. It is about how a girl comes to view her own sexuality. It is explicit; this matches the tone of the entire book. You do come to understand her dispassionate attitude toward life. Even if memoirs and biographies are my favorites, not everyone has a story to tell and not everyone has the ability to tell that story properly. Her life was difficult, but not without kind family members - she had her paternal grandmother and her brother. Maybe it is good that her story has been told, but I feel perhaps another could have told it better.

I am starring the book, not the person and not the narration. I star both books I dislike and those I detest as one-star books. I disliked the book but detested the narration by the author. She reads the lines very slowly, in a measured, steady tone with every syllable enunciated one by one. It is read, not spoken. There is little feeling in the voice. I find this amazing since it is her own story; why don't her emotions peep through? In addition some of the words were completely indecipherable. Some, but not all I could figure out from the context. Do NOT listen to the audiobook. If you want to read it, read the paper book. This was one of the worst recordings I have ever listened to.

It doesn't feel very nice saying what I am saying, but this is the truth and authors must be willing to hear how readers are honestly reacting to their book. Remember I am not judging her as a person. I admire her as a person; she didn't go under.
...more

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

view all 7 comments

Kendra I'm currently listening to the audiobook (well, trying to for the second time). I actually came to Goodreads to see if anyone else was as baffled as I ...more
Sep 06, 2015 02:46PM

Chrissie You are not the only one!!!!!! TERRIBLE, huh?!
Sep 06, 2015 09:46PM

Jan 25, 2010 K.D. Absolutely rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Nenette (I gave her a brand new copy as Christmas gift last month)

Recommended to K.D. by: 1001 Must Read Books Before I Die

Shelves: 1001-core , race

This is my first memoir written by an African-American woman and I like it. It's an easy read, totally devoid of steam-of-consciousness style that Miss Woolf (from my recent book before this), as Maya Angelou used first-person direct storytelling approach. However, it is not an easy-easy read because the plot is about racial struggle and it has all the depressing real-life incidents like rape at the age of 8, she and her brother being transported like animals, being abandoned by their parents tw ...more

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

Mar 17, 2015 Candi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

The first of a series of autobiographies by Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is simultaneously heartrending and inspiring. This beautiful memoir of Ms. Angelou’s years as a child up to the age of seventeen exemplifies the resilience of a strong human spirit. Living with her grandmother, uncle, and brother in the segregated state of Arkansas during the 1930’s and early 1940’s, Maya, or Marguerite as she was called, was forced to deal with abandonment, racial prejudices, and grievous The first of a series of autobiographies by Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is simultaneously heartrending and inspiring. This beautiful memoir of Ms. Angelou’s years as a child up to the age of seventeen exemplifies the resilience of a strong human spirit. Living with her grandmother, uncle, and brother in the segregated state of Arkansas during the 1930’s and early 1940’s, Maya, or Marguerite as she was called, was forced to deal with abandonment, racial prejudices, and grievous abuse. And yet, Marguerite showed astonishing strength and courage through all this pain and hardship and emerged as a powerful role model for anyone that has suffered from hatred, injustice, or misfortune.

Growing up, Marguerite reflects on what it was like to be a young black girl living during these times, as well as her insecurities regarding her own image. Not uncommon to many young girls, she felt awkward and plain. When describing her excitement over a new dress for church, Marguerite notes “I was going to look like one of the sweet little white girls who were everybody’s dream of what was right with the world” , and later … ”I thought that if she was planning to marry our father she must have been horrified to find herself with a nearly six-foot prospective stepdaughter who was not even pretty.”

I especially enjoyed Maya’s descriptions of her love for books. Reading provided a refuge for little Marguerite, as well as an inspiration for her writing in her adult life. I could easily envision such cozy descriptions as “There was going to be a storm and it was a perfect night for rereading Jane Eyre. Bailey had finished his chores and was already behind the stove with Mark Twain… Pots rattled in the kitchen where Momma was frying corn cakes to go with vegetable soup for supper, and the homey sounds and scents cushioned me as I read of Jane Eyre in the cold English mansion of a colder English gentleman.” Food was a comfort for Marguerite as well and also provided for some very mouthwatering narrative. Humor and sarcasm were not lacking within the pages of Ms. Angelou’s memoir either. Many of these moments seemed to have occurred while attending weekly church services or occasional revival meetings. Marguerite recalls going to church one morning while Reverend Thomas was preaching the words “Great God of Mount Nebo” and Sister Thomas, given to bouts of shouting and jerking when feeling the spirit, approached the Reverend, hit him with her purse, and knocked out his false teeth. “The grinning uppers and lowers lay by my right shoe, looking empty and at the same time appearing to contain all the emptiness in the world.” I could not keep myself from snickering along with Marguerite’s contagious and hysterical laughter.

Despite the books, the food and the humor, Marguerite suffered as well. One could not read this book without your heart going out to her when she experienced rage, loneliness, and physical and emotional pain. The retelling of some of the more horrific incidents in her life is astonishing, graphic, and brutal. But throughout this very personal account of Maya Angelou’s early and formative years, we can see her little triumphs and celebrate with her. Reflecting on her graduation from the eighth grade, Maya says “We were on top again. As always, again. We survived. The depths had been icy and dark, but now a bright sun spoke to our souls. I was no longer simply a member of the proud graduating class of 1940; I was a proud member of the wonderful, beautiful Negro race.” Maya did survive and her numerous achievements point to her victory over adversity and injustice. I look forward to reading the next “chapter” in this inspirational woman’s life story.
...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Mar 15, 2014 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I chose this book for my Women in Literature course. My goal was to teach post-1960s memoirs by women, and to have at least half of the books on the syllabus be written by women of color, and boy, does it ever prove how far the publishing industry has to go when you begin looking for literary-quality memoir by women of color. The under-abundance of such books is shocking yet predictable, the age-old story of sexism and racism combined as a double whammy against women of color. Mostly it's depres I chose this book for my Women in Literature course. My goal was to teach post-1960s memoirs by women, and to have at least half of the books on the syllabus be written by women of color, and boy, does it ever prove how far the publishing industry has to go when you begin looking for literary-quality memoir by women of color. The under-abundance of such books is shocking yet predictable, the age-old story of sexism and racism combined as a double whammy against women of color. Mostly it's depressing, and there is no excuse for it. There are so many women of color out there with amazing memoirs in them, but somehow these memoirs are not getting published. One of my students, a black male who is a college junior, said that he had never read a book by a black woman before. No one of any color should get to their junior year of college before reading a book by a black woman. This has to change. And Angelou's work is the perfect demonstration of why.

This book, of course, is a classic. I hesitated to assign it only because I was worried that all of my students would have already read it in high school, but it turns out that none of them had. Whether this is because it has fallen out of fashion in high school curricula for some reason (nefarious or otherwise) or because my students come from the state education system currently ranked last in the nation, is hard to say. But I was shocked that this was a new book to upper-level college students.

I'm sure I have little new to say about this book, but what struck me about it on this read (I had, like many teenagers in the 1990s, read excerpts in high school, though now I wonder which excerpts they were and which they weren't) was how deftly Angelou blends the consciousness of the "I" with the "we." Her pronoun use throughout the text is subtle but powerful, and cements the idea that her story is not just "her" story. Yes, on one level it is the story of a singular person, but it is also the story of black Southern families, it is also the story of African American history, it is also the story of people of all colors and backgrounds. To see this, you have to do a close textual analysis, but it is there on almost every page (most obviously in the section on graduation, where she threads the "I" and the "We" until both are singing the black national anthem.) As someone who specializes in memoir, I hadn't realized the effect this book had on later memoirs, but in reading it now it is so obvious. People deride the memoir for being a narcissistic, navel-gazing genre, but when it is done expertly, it is never just about the self. Angelou shows a different type of autobiographical writing, one that is just as much about the "we" as it is about the "I." ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Aug 10, 2009 Brittney rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommends it for: young ladies who need a lil guidance

Recommended to Brittney by: my 7th grade teacher

At last. I found a book that i can relate to. Im sure a few people don't want to hear any of my humble, sista preachin , negro spiritual talk , but i will pour my heart out for this book. Because it is my catcher in the rye. It is my inspiration. it warmed my heart and gave me a thirst for knowledge and reading. Everybody has that one book that changes there aura and the way they view the world. This was it for me. I can understand why this book would be not so enjoyable for a person who can no At last. I found a book that i can relate to. Im sure a few people don't want to hear any of my humble, sista preachin , negro spiritual talk , but i will pour my heart out for this book. Because it is my catcher in the rye. It is my inspiration. it warmed my heart and gave me a thirst for knowledge and reading. Everybody has that one book that changes there aura and the way they view the world. This was it for me. I can understand why this book would be not so enjoyable for a person who can not relate to some of the obstacles and struggles the author explains. I understand her frustrations,anguish and demeanor. This book has taken a weight off my shoulders, because it is hard to be humble in a world were you are invisible.
How many popular or famous stories do you remember that have a black girl as the main character. This one is special to me because she looks like me, has nappy hair like me, has parents like mine, and uses language that has the comfort and familiarity of home the way i remember. I have read alice in wonderland, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, a series of unfortunate events, snow white and so on. They were all great books that taught me a little more about the magic of storytelling and adventure. But this book gave me hope whether fiction or not ( though it is a little raw for younger readers). We have so much under the surface of our history. Strangely i believe that some people don't realize society is not obviously excepting to some children. Just because her story is not idealistic as the majority of people her age, at that time, doesn't mean it shouldn't be told. I am very grateful that she has shared her story with us all. Every one can find something in this book that moves them. I live in a country that doesn't hate me doesn't love me but keeps me on the side lines. I am not always the main character but sometimes i get a line or two. Thats ok. Things are coming around. Since i have read this book i walk with my head up a little higher, i do not settle for less and i try to speak my mind tactfully to whoever crosses my path. thank you Maya for giving me an adventure. I am hopeful for life because if Maya can overcome the odds i can to. Thats what good books are supposed to do. ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Mar 02, 2010 Portia [nerd] added it · review of another edition

Spark notes has to be the best thing created. Every summer I was given a reading list and I hit sparks notes up like crazy. As I read on spark notes the stories was beyond boring and it never failed, until I spark noted the book I know why the caged bird sings by Maya Angelou. As I read the first two chapters I was very interested in the book and decided that I needed to go to Borders as soon as possible. I always thought spark notes was just a major cheat sheet, now I know that I was just using Spark notes has to be the best thing created. Every summer I was given a reading list and I hit sparks notes up like crazy. As I read on spark notes the stories was beyond boring and it never failed, until I spark noted the book I know why the caged bird sings by Maya Angelou. As I read the first two chapters I was very interested in the book and decided that I needed to go to Borders as soon as possible. I always thought spark notes was just a major cheat sheet, now I know that I was just using it the wrong way and taking advantage. In the first two chapters that I read on spark notes the book stood out to me because of the title. As I read the book I started to think maybe the name I Know why the cage bird sings is actually the way Maya Angelou felt. The book also stood out to me because of the diction Maya Angelou chose, there are tons of great quotes I could get out of this book that was powerful. The story was just extremely interesting and was definitely a page turner.

The simple title I Know Why the Caged Bird sings started to unfold. It seemed to be a symbol to describe Maya Angelou’s feelings. Through out the story I was eager to find the true message of the book title. After 289 pages I found the message that Maya Angelou wanted to get across. The caged bird sings because it is trapped and has a story to reveal to the world. Maya Angelou was verbally, physically and mentally abused throughout the story and all she could do was fade into the background. She used a caged bird to describe her because a caged bird has nowhere to turn and can’t find its way out of the cage to gain its freedom. I think Maya felt like she was a slave to her own life. People looked at her like she was supposed to be everyone except for herself. Which killed her self esteem as a young child feeling like she wasn’t good enough, or as pretty as others. Maya was the caged bird because she couldn’t speak up for herself and say I’m not afraid to be me, I don’t care if I’m not as beautiful as the others, I have been physically abused and I need help. Instead she kept it all in. When a bird is in his cage you may notice that it sings all day long. The bird was trying to get someone’s attentions hoping that someone would come and let him free. Maya Angelou was the caged bird, she started to speak up and let her voice be heard so she also could be let free and able to live her life in her own shadow instead of being a slave to someone else’s.

A powerful quote has great meaning and makes the reader connect with the person even if it doesn't relate to them. Maya's choice of diction made her quotes stand out and made a greater connection to her and feel the pain she felt. A powerful quote is also when a reader understands the writers obvious message but can still read in-between the lines and receive a deeper meaning. “It was remarkable how much truth there is in the two expressions “struck dumb” and “love at first sight”. My mother’s beauty literally assailed me”. The obvious message I received from this was that Maya’s mother was beyond beautiful. From this quote I felt like Maya Angelou has a lot of pain behind it. As a child people looked at Maya like she was the rotten apple. Her elders would say “my family was handsome to a point of pain for me”. I feel like when she starts describing her mother’s beauty she is actually sad that she didn’t have any of those traits. She has been surrounded by beauty her whole life and been put down because she wasn’t as beautiful as them. And that’s why I think she choose to put “her beauty assailed me” because her mother’s beauty itself attacked her, she didn’t even need to say that Maya was unattractive like the others because her beauty said it all.

I found this book to be very interesting and an eye opener. I really enjoyed reading about Maya and her older brother Bailey’s relationship growing up. When Maya felt alone he was there. There was times where I got the feeling that out of everyone in the book she felt like he was the only one that truly loved her for who she was and loved her with all his heart. He was the only one that really made her happy at one point. I felt so connected to Maya that I really loved to see her happy. When her brother came up she seemed to be so passionate and happy talking about her brother. Seeing her happy here and there made the story very good because no one wants to see a person down all the time. Happiness is a part of life and her brother Bailey definitely made her happy. “Bailey was the greatest person in my world” , “My pretty black brother was my kingdom come” and “He was my brother, my only brother, and I had no sisters to share him with, was such a good fortune that it made me want to live a Christian life just to show god that I was grateful”.

To wrap this up I really loved this book and think this should continue to be in school summer reading list. This book is amazing because the way she used the title I know why the caged bird sings to symbolize her is genius. This book has great choice of words and I’m sure there would be a lot of great quotes that would stand out to you and challenge your thinking. This book kept me at the edge of my seat and everyone should read it. If you haven’t read this already go out and buy it or do what I did and spark note the book and see if you end up buying the book like I did.
...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Jul 31, 2015 Adira rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: memoirs , adult-fiction , african-american-literature , anticipation , audiobook , autobiography-autobiographical , books-about-characters-with-health , books-about-traveling , books-read-in-2015 , books-set-in-usa , coming-of-age , e-book , kickbutt-heroines , own-a-copy , recommended , read-when-i-was-younger , read-selections-in-class , series , thought-provoking , violent-reads

I feel like it's hard to really rate this book as of now when I haven't read the other books in the series, but I'm going to put this read at 3.5 stars since I did enjoy the overall anecdotes that Maya Angelou shared with the readers.

It's amazing also how relevant the constant questioning by Bailey and Maya as children of "why do [whites] hate us so much?" still is in today's society when it comes to race relations even though the context of the question has changed. This can be seen in the pick I feel like it's hard to really rate this book as of now when I haven't read the other books in the series, but I'm going to put this read at 3.5 stars since I did enjoy the overall anecdotes that Maya Angelou shared with the readers.

It's amazing also how relevant the constant questioning by Bailey and Maya as children of "why do [whites] hate us so much?" still is in today's society when it comes to race relations even though the context of the question has changed. This can be seen in the picket signs of many parents as they protest across America these days with each passing shooting. Yet, Maya's story seems to remain relevant not just because of her experiences, but also because of the ever present figureheads in her life. Even if you're not African-American, I'm sure you can relate to having parents who were always trying to get you to figure things out for yourself or having had an adult like Mama who was so bent on making sure that you came up proper that it sometimes seemed like the joy was being sucked out of life as a kid thanks to never being able to "get away with anything." All in all, this classic held up to the test of time for me.

If you want a similar read, I'd suggest either continuing on with Angelou's memoir series by reading Gather Together In My Name or reading Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals who was one of the Little Rock Arkansas Nine children who fought to help integrate Central High School in 1957 after Brown v. Board of Education . Both Angelou and Beals were two women who valued education and were willing to stand up for their right to live out their womanhood as black women in America during difficult time periods. Thus, I wholeheartedly recommend both books. ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Apr 14, 2013 Stephanie Spines rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own

How brilliant!

Angelou is a master of prose! Her writing style is just a pleasure to read in all ways. Her imagery, use of similes, just general creativity is outstanding!

While she had a pretty devastating life, Angelou's memoir is full of joy. I mean, it is full of heartbreak and sadness too, but also notably full of happiness, laughter and joy.

My favourite aspect of this book is that Angelou creates a story of racism where the narrative is not that of victimhood, but a narrative of resistance. ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
500 Great Books B...: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou	5	21	Aug 18, 2015 11:11AM
Goodreads Librari...: Looking for a very specific cover	1	17	Aug 01, 2015 11:50PM
2015 Reading Chal...: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou	7	54	Jul 25, 2015 10:57PM
Jonge Nederlandse...: Boek van de maand - Juni 2015 - I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (thema (auto)biografieën)	11	30	Jun 21, 2015 12:53PM
2015 Reading Chal...: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou	2	12	Jun 10, 2015 06:43AM

Readers Also Enjoyed

Videos About This Book

Add a comment

Genres

Non Fiction

1,609 users

Classics

1,447 users

Autobiography > Memoir

1,025 users

Biography

771 users

Biography > Autobiography

387 users

Poetry

357 users

Cultural > African American

248 users

Literature

176 users

Biography Memoir

171 users

Feminism

144 users

See top shelves...

About Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou, born Marguerite Ann Johnson April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri, was an American poet, memoirist, actress and an important figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. In 2001 she was named one of the 30 most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. Maya Angelou is known for her series of six autobiographies, starting with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, (1969 which was n ...more

More about Maya Angelou...

Other Books in the Series

Maya Angelou's Autobiography (6 books)

Books by Maya Angelou

Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now

More…

Share This Book

Share on your website

title link	preview: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
avg rating	preview: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Goodreads rating: 4.14 (211209 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215575.I_Know_Why_the_Caged_Bird_Sings?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327949614l/215575.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215575.I_Know_Why_the_Caged_Bird_Sings?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou[/url]