I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (original 1969; edition 1983)

Being no means qualified is not enough to stop me from making a recommendation. Though millions had read Maya Angelou’s words by the time I heard of her in 1992, the political nature of my introduction to her was sadly reason enough to keep me from her work for another 21 years. Now to those whose knowledge of Dr. Angelou is far superior to mine I have a suggestion. Listen to her first acclaimed autobiography “I know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, and though I don’t think there is another version, make sure you to the book read by Dr. Angelou herself.

Had I read “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” I would have enjoyed it, and been appreciative of Dr. Angelou’s great writing. But hearing her words come from her voice propelled by her heart left me moved and in awe. I know many more open hearts been moved by her words for decades, and although I’m slightly embarrassed by my ignorance, I am quite glad to have erased it.

I don’t recall exactly how I came to chose to read this book. I know I had read something James Baldwin had written about her, and that may have been all it took to search the library. The instant I heard her voice I could not let go of her story until I reached its end. About 8 or so hours in length, I listened in two sessions while home under the weather. Dr. Angelou’s writing did not cure me, but she certainly inspired me.

For quite some time I have believed that one of the proofs of Jesus divinity are African-American folk who have recognized His Love despite its introduction coming from the very same folks that introduced them to tyranny, pain, and slavery. The blending of her words and voice allowed me to hear that Love that has remained despite all the evil Dr. Angelou faced. It is what allowed her to offer grace, even though justice was needed. She never ceases her quest to justice, but it is not a prerequisite for her grace. I think this is in large part because even when she is holding a mirror allowing injustice to be seen, she never denies her sharing of the human condition – a need for grace. By not allowing the message of Love to be eclipsed by its often evil messenger, Dr. Angelou enables all of us, bearers of pain and creators alike, to see the truth that there is indeed grace to be had. ( )

Don't remember much about it. Oughta read it again. ( )

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. ( )

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This book is Maya Angelou's autobiography of her childhood into her teen years. The story is well worth reading and one that we can all learn something from.

While many of the scenes in this book are heart-breaking, the story is one of survival, finding yourself, and learning to let go of the idolized and childish viewpoints of those we love without losing the love we have for them. ( )