Book Review: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

About:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is a memoir of the author’s childhood, this is the first in a series of autobiographical books Ms. Angelou is an American icon, Civil Rights figure, actress, and, of course, poet.

• 304 pages
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ballantine Books
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0345514408

My rat­ing for I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings— 5
Buy I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings from Amazon.com*
More Books by Maya Angelou*

Thoughts:

I didn’t think I would enjoy I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou as much as I did. My daughter had to read this book for school, so I figured I might as well jump at the chance while it’s at home.

This autobiography talks about the author’s childhood, and into her teenage years. The book ranges from very funny, to heartbreaking. That being said, Ms. Angelou doesn’t take herself too seriously, however, the subject matter is very serious.

The author talks about such difficult subjects as rape and race relations with frankness and openness. While this is a memoir of a young lady, the reflection of Ms. Angelou, with the benefit of years of hindsight are real and raw. Much like other biographies, self-introspection about past experiences are usually what makes them worth reading.

The stories the author, back then known as Marguerite, tells are astounding. From being put on a train with her brother Bailey from Arkansas to California without supervision. Only a tags on their wrists tagged “to whom it may concern”. Living with their grandmother, a strong and independent woman who owns a general store. Suffering racism galore, with nowhere to be safe, as well as many other anecdotes.

The arc of the memoir, from a little girl with an inferiority complex, to a young adult full of strength and confidence is something many could relate to. This is the first autobiography I read which I would consider to be literature, written with wit and wisdom to boot.

Buy I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings from Amazon.com*
More Books by Maya Angelou*

Zohar — Man of la Book
Dis­claimer: I got this book for free.
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account, the money is usually spent on book