Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

71 reviews

sunny_not's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

3.0

Although it was hard to read due to the heavy topics it deals with. The chapters weren't super connected with each other either so it felt like it was incomplete at some parts. However it's still a very important read. I wish that this was a long memoir rather than a book series of memoirs tho, since I wanted to read more of this. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Misogyny, Medical content, Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual violence, Racism, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, and Blood

lucinotlucy's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, and Rape

Moderate: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism

Minor: Abandonment, Blood, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, and War

thebankofbooks's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

2.5

Whilst I’m in awe and pain at the life Maya has lived, and whilst I was fascinated to find out about it, I’m sad to say that I was put off by the writing style. For me, it felt off and made it so much harder to get into.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Racial slurs, Racism, Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault

anne152's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective slow-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual violence, Racism, Racial slurs, and Murder

jcstokes's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

This is now my favorite of all time. It made me realize how universal the feminine POC experience is. It turns out that things that I thought were original to me have already happened and were already thought of. It’s comforting but also disappointing because though this book takes place almost 90 years ago, POC women are still going through the same struggles. My hope is that in 50 years when I re-read this book, I will be satisfied with how far society has come and that some of the situations in this book will be so foreign that the only realistic thing about the book will be the feelings and memories it gives its readers.

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Racism and Classism

Minor: Pregnancy

hellothereforeitsalex's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

raelin's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

Heartbreaking and heart warming. Uplifting and depressing. Isn’t that life though? It is all the things, as is this memoir. 

This audiobook read by the author was so moving. The raw honestly and painful openness in how she beautifully and tragically describes her early life is amazing. 

It really reinforces that the adolescent experience is almost universal. The awkwardness and lack of self confidence while also being incredibly sure footed in some situations was so very relatable even 50 years after it’s original publication. 

I really would recommend this to anyone, and especially sullen teenagers who feel misunderstood by everyone around them. This really brings home that everyone has a story, and you may never know another person’s whole story, but that there are some near universal feelings about finding your place in the world and how to fit in. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Car accident, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Lesbophobia

rayanam's review

challenging emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual violence

sashagalkina's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

Maya Angelou is undeniably brilliant writer. Her sentences have a life of their own. Style so beautiful and engulfing, it's hard to believe it is just text on paper. A lot of reflection on difficult topics but not in an obtrusive, overwhelming way. I feel like the book broadened my mind. Can't recommend it enough.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Sexual assault

Minor: Death

gabbagirl's review

emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

The prose... the PROSE. Angelou's lines are crafted with such a dedication to creating an honest, compassionate depiction. While reading the novel, you get this impression that Angelou truly sees the world as a series of metaphors and similes. I can't even begin to express my gratitude for Angelou's work. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Adult/minor relationship