Reviews with content warning for Rape - I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Reviews tagging 'Rape'

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

284 reviews

adriano64's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

Content Warnings

caroltb's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Content Warnings

emptzuu's review against another edition

Go to review page

This autobiography was recommended to me, but I strongly feel it should come with a trigger warning, especially for survivors of sexual abuse and individuals with childhood trauma. Personally, I believe it's not my place to judge someone else's life solely based on my level of interest. However, I found the book predominantly tedious, particularly as it delved into mundane aspects of Angelou's childhood, such as chores and school life. Real life is rarely as interesting as one’s imagination. The heavy religious focus didn't resonate with me, as I'm not particularly religious, and it felt somewhat disconnected from my own cultural background. Being from outside the USA, I also found it challenging to connect with the narrative, compounded by what I perceived as a lack of emotional depth. Autobiographies aren't usually my preferred genre, and I find it baffling that this book is assigned reading for high school students.

Content Warnings

madde's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced

5.0

Content Warnings

sandysmith's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings