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riestenberger's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those books that everyone has to read. It was so fascinating to see how such a powerful woman grew up and the wide range of things she had to endure. Listening to it in Angelou's voice made it even more impactful. There were bits and pieces here and there that I couldn't really figure out why they were included, and I was kind of shocked at how early into her life the memoir ended. Regardless, a powerful powerful book that everyone should experience.
katherine_ffrench's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
happylilkt's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of critical essays is perfect for the independent reader of [b:I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings|13214|I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou's Autobiography, #1)|Maya Angelou|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327957927l/13214._SY75_.jpg|1413589]. I did not read this in high school or college—or even with a book club. I read it with the Goodreads group "Everybody has read this but me." A wonderful group for catching up on iconic books and classics that everyone else has already read. Anyway, this collection helped me interpret and reflect on the book in ways that a discussion might have in a class. I did not read all of the essays—there are about a dozen—but instead picked the few that seemed the most interesting to me and read those. Highly recommended.
happylilkt's review against another edition
3.0
Angelou is such a gifted writer, but this story is very raw.
Content warning:
Content warning:
Spoiler
rape, extramarital sexnetsirk's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
thebookhaze's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those books that come highly recommended and that you hear referenced all the time. I’ve been meaning to read it for a long time because of hearing so much about it, but I had no idea what I was in for. I’d expected it to be deep and meaningful just from all the references about it, and having an idea of what life must have been like for a black woman in those days, but I have a long way to go for learning and understanding it.
I don’t know how Maya Angelou managed to write about her painful and defining moments in such a beautiful and lyrical way. I have no words to describe the feelings, but there were parts I had to stop and just take time to process. This is such a powerful book.
I don’t know how Maya Angelou managed to write about her painful and defining moments in such a beautiful and lyrical way. I have no words to describe the feelings, but there were parts I had to stop and just take time to process. This is such a powerful book.
cmcrandell's review against another edition
3.0
This book does contain some graphic topics, but makes Maya's biography (and accomplishments) that much more amazing.
blueridgebookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Many trigger warnings, & heartbreaking, as it is nonfiction. Angelou’s voice is searingly beautiful.
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
“To be left alone on the tightrope of youthful unknowing is to experience the excruciating beauty of full freedom and the threat of eternal indecision.”
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
“To be left alone on the tightrope of youthful unknowing is to experience the excruciating beauty of full freedom and the threat of eternal indecision.”