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megryanreally's review against another edition
3.0
A bit anti climactic and seemingly drawn out at times. Though following maya through the details of her finding her dream and experiencing life abroad was worth it for the depiction of her struggle to reconcile her guilt of leaving her son when she returns and seeing her relationship with him come back alive in the end.
mariafernandagama's review against another edition
4.0
This is, in comparison to her first two autobiographies, much lighter and easier on the heart. We finally get to see some doors opening for her, and get to be amazed at how she takes every chance life throws at her, and how it almost always pays off.
I do, however, felt a bit overwhelmed by the many events and many different people described in this book. I know it's all important to mention, but with such a hectic pacing, it's really difficult to connect to the people and places. The ending also felt a bit rushed. It's like she took us through this wonderful, magical fairy tale throughout the book, and then at the very last pages decided to remind us that there are consequences to being so happy and carefree for so long. But these hardships last only through a few paragraphs, which I'm sure it's very different from how it happened in her life.
Anyway, I'm both excited and nervous for what's to come in the next chapters
I do, however, felt a bit overwhelmed by the many events and many different people described in this book. I know it's all important to mention, but with such a hectic pacing, it's really difficult to connect to the people and places. The ending also felt a bit rushed. It's like she took us through this wonderful, magical fairy tale throughout the book, and then at the very last pages decided to remind us that there are consequences to being so happy and carefree for so long. But these hardships last only through a few paragraphs, which I'm sure it's very different from how it happened in her life.
Anyway, I'm both excited and nervous for what's to come in the next chapters
yesenianavaa's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a really long time to get through this book mostly because I didn't care too much for the story. The writing wasn't bad or anything, I just wasn't too fascinated by Maya's career as a singer and dancer. But her charm, sharp criticism, and humor definitely came across. I didn't know that she was married to a white man, but it was interesting how race was talked about in this. she was careful around white people and mistrusted them. She said," The question was not if she would divulge her racism, but when and how the revelation would occur" I thought it was interesting the connection she made between the Black experience in america and the Jewish experience. She compares their general history of persecution and creates a link between two very different groups of people. She also makes a harsh commentary about the nature of her interracial marriage and how society has created this constructs of white versus black. She checks her friends who use AAVE and how it carries different significance when white people use it. The end of the book chronicles her tour with Porgy and Bess. I really liked the story about the man who was in love with her and called her every day. She said "If he was a swimming champion the match took place in 1910" and I thought it was so funny! She also talks about her discomfort at seeing the servants in Africa. And how slavery wasn't that far ago for her and Black Americans so it felt weird being in spaces where there were black slaves being masked as servants.
expatally's review against another edition
3.0
Really enjoying reading about Maya Angelou’s life. She had some amazing experiences.
felixbooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
3.5
Rating only in comparison to the first two which felt seminal in my overall reading life. An incredible series and one I’m looking forward to continuing. Her style is very direct and approachable, and the books are always easy reads even if difficult subject matter.