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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
This is the 5th book in Maya Angelou’s autobiographical series and it read differently. I experienced it more as a collection of short stories.
The book covers a period of Mayas life during her thirties when she lived in Ghana. I am ashamed to say I had not previously reflected on the challenges that African Americans would have in seeking to return to Africa. Through many examples which Maya generously leads us through, as a reader I was better able to understand the differences between the cultures, and understand how the African American culture was built through oppression and resilience. The arc of Maya seeking to find “home” remains unresolved throughout the book, as I am sure it did in life, but towards the end, there is more of a sense of hope and optimism.
As this was a short book, I read it quickly. However, I will be reflecting on the content for many days to come. A powerful read that really opened my eyes and emotionally moved me.
The book covers a period of Mayas life during her thirties when she lived in Ghana. I am ashamed to say I had not previously reflected on the challenges that African Americans would have in seeking to return to Africa. Through many examples which Maya generously leads us through, as a reader I was better able to understand the differences between the cultures, and understand how the African American culture was built through oppression and resilience. The arc of Maya seeking to find “home” remains unresolved throughout the book, as I am sure it did in life, but towards the end, there is more of a sense of hope and optimism.
As this was a short book, I read it quickly. However, I will be reflecting on the content for many days to come. A powerful read that really opened my eyes and emotionally moved me.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Unlike the rest of the series the 5th part felt to me like a collection of unrelated events packed with awkwardness and I found it very slow paced through first half. A bit like there was not much going on. Towards the end the action picked up and there was a more central storyline.
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Great read about Maya’s earlier life, searching for her past.
Her poetry knocks you over, and her prose is just her poetry with longer lines.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
This was a well written book! Maya Angelou moves to Ghana as part of an attempt to claim a piece of cultural identity and historical identity. She discusses what it meant to move to Africa as an African-American. She discusses the issues of slavery frankly and how it made her feel to live in Africa and confront those thoughts within herself. What an amazing way to discover who you are and really think about your own construct while away from your home and away from all that you know. I thouroughly enjoyed the book while at the same time feeling badly that she did not know where her ancestors came from. As a person who is tied to my ancestors and to my knowledge of land and culture, this made me sad for her. However, she became a part of the Ghanaian community and learned so much about herself. Loved the book and her writing!
Maya Angelou is a master and never disappoints. This partial autobiography traces her time in Ghana in the early 60s. Fabulous insights into, and appearances by, many civil rights heroes, and brilliantly self-reflective.
challenging
hopeful
reflective