A remarkable woman. There are some absolute gems in this book; there are also some mundane patches. I loved listening to Maya herself read the book. The anecdotes that I remember most are her family's reaction to her teenage pregnancy (What a joy for us to have a beautiful child to love) and her experience in Senegal walking on a rug that she thought everyone else had been forbidden to walk on to discover that it was the rug where they all sat to eat. ( )

Letter to my Daughter is a book of wisdom, a collection of 28 short works -- mostly essays, and a couple of poems. Ms. Angelou doesn't have a daughter (her only child is a son); this book is dedicated to women all around the world. Angelou plumbs the depths of more than 80 years on the planet to serve up bits of her experience as lessons for her readers. Some of the essays, particularly those pertaining to her younger adult years, concern violence and disrespect towards women. In others, Angelou relates cultural blunders or near misses made during her travels. The embedded lesson is usually not about the gaffe itself, but the personal learning and growth that came from it: In an unfamiliar culture, it is wise to offer no innovations, no suggestions, or lessons. The epitome of sophistication is utter simplicity. (p. 91)

In fact, most of her lessons came from mistakes. I admired Angelou's ability to expose her own vulnerability for the reader's benefit. My only complaint about this book is that its 166 pages are misleading. Each piece is quite short, usually 2-4 pages. Each essay is padded with additional pages (a cover page, a blank page, etc.), and of course there are obligatory pages about the author, the typeface, and so on. I would have preferred a greater percentage of this book be devoted to Angelou's words of wisdom. Nevertheless, these essays lend themselves well to periodic re-reading, and this book will remain on my shelves to be dipped into later. ( )

This book was very moving, it spoke of her life and the other amazing wonderful people that have gone on to glory that she'd befriended and loved. Like Martin Luther King and his wife. Just an amazing book, I cried and laughed and learned upon reading it. ( )

Some of these essays are extraordinary. Others aren't. I'm glad I read it. ( )

A series of short pieces, most no more than two pages long, including bits of autobiography, essays, and poetry. The theme is things written for the daughter she never had, and to all the women she considers in some ways daughters. She speaks of having her son at age 16, of being beaten and saved by prayer, perhaps, and of many other things. One piece is about Fannie Lou Hamer, who has been a hero of mine since reading about her in various books on the Civil Rights movement.

There was one quote that touched me a lot, and I repeat it here:

"Many things continue to amaze me, even well into my seventh decade. I'm startled or at least taken aback when people walk up to me and without being questioned inform me that they are Christians. My first response is the question, 'Already?'
It seems to me that becoming a Christian is a lifelong endeavor. I believe that is also true of one wanting to become a Buddhist, or a Muslim, a Jew, Jainist, or Taoist. The persons striving to live their religious beliefs know that the idyllic condition cannot be arrived at and held onto eternally. It is in the search itself that one finds the ecstasy." (p. 165)

The book is recommended for a fast and inspiring read. ( )

Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou is addressed to all women (Angelou’s only child is her son), like a kind of matriarchal wisdom book sharing memories, advice, poetry, and stories. In an intimate slim volume, she speaks of race, sex, truth, violence, and motherhood, recalls friends and travels in her own lyrical voice. ( )

These short essays and some poems offer lessons that Maya has learned throughout her life. Some were easy lessons and some probably left ugly bruises. The reader is charged with the task of taking the lesson for herself. Although mostly about women, Maya's letter is equally pertinent to our sons. Our mother Maya provides us with the space to explore courage, love, understanding, and progress. Most interesting to me was the idea of courage and how it is most certainly the glue for the changes that we desire. Courage to be honest: to be frank and clear ourselves of the cloud of lies, to move forward. Maya also discusses the ability to go home (because in fact you can never leave) and about popular culture and it's obsession with vulgarity. The only thing that ruffled my feathers was Maya's idea that success and all that is proper must look a certain way. ( )

A collection of several very short stories and poems, many focusing on the life of African-Americans, the importance of our upbringing, and overcoming adversity. ( )

A wonderful series of letters written by a true mother for many women The book includes many of the author's experiences and tries to impart what is important in life. ( )

Letter to My Daughter is a collection of 28 short essays (and a few poems) on life, faith, motherhood, kindness, and what it means to be human. Though many of the essays are written to and about women and issues women face, this collection and the wisdom Angelou offers are universally appealing and applicable. This is another of those books I think should be required reading for life. The pieces are short and pithy, and Angelou says it like no one else can. When she talks, I want to pay attention.

At just 166 pages, this small volume is page-for-page one of the most valuable books I’ve read in a very long time and is the perfect selection for a rainy afternoon. Angelou has lived a long and interesting life, and I’m so grateful that she’s chosen to continue sharing her experiences with us. I hope this won’t be the last time.

Full review at The Book Lady's Blog ( )