Reviews tagging 'Racism'

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

236 reviews

caroltb's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Rape, and Racial slurs

sandysmith's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

I certainly want to read more of her memoir, particularly her involvement with Malcom X and Martin Luther King. However, this book is about her early life from age 6 to about 17, growing up with her brother, and they were brought up mainly by their grandma. A beautiful lyrical prose and writing style. Read as part of my banned book series it's one of my favourites I've read so far. Yes, it explores racism, rape and molestation but it's so sensitively written and in the context of her growing up. It's her memoir, after all, and testament to the strong black woman she becomes. Would I ban it? Absolutely not. Would I let my children read it? Absolutely, for it has many discussion points and such wonderful writing. The only negative thing for me is the books title, as singing caged birds are not mentioned in the text, nor is understanding why they do so. I can come to my own conclusions re the title, metaphor, or descriptive, but I wanted the title to be more reflective of the book itself rather than my lacking interpretation. That aside wonderful wonderful stuff.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Racism, Child abuse, and Rape

momoxshi's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Still processing everything after finishing this. Currently speechless. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Rape

koreydobbert's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Classism, Racism, Sexual assault, and Bullying

samburkhouse's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Racism

haileyeh's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Rape, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Violence, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault

Minor: Lesbophobia

meaghanelizabook's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Racial slurs, Racism, and Child abuse

Minor: Death

abception's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Ableism and Abandonment

Minor: Alcohol, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Dysphoria, Pregnancy, Racism, and Classism

violetends's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Child abuse, and Rape

Moderate: Pregnancy

mirandaleighhhh's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0

Ohhhhhhhh wow. What a treat to listen to Maya Angelou tell her story (and even sing!). This was very difficult to listen to in the beginning pertaining to what happened when she was 8 years old, and I had to take a break before journeying on. I loved how she mentioned her journey with reading since she was very young, and I was flabbergasted at some of her experiences (the junk yard!). This is an important read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Child abuse, Racism, Murder, Racial slurs, and Violence