Scan barcode
A review by kris_mccracken
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
4.0
A rich and evocative memoir that does not pull any punches. Maya Angelou tackles themes such as individuality, rape, racism, class, literacy and self-worth. There’s a lot here, given that it covers Angelou’s life from the age of three to seventeen.
It’s not easy going. The darkest moments are offset by the knowledge of Angelou’s current stature in the canon. The highlight of the piece is the portrait of Annie Henderson (her maternal grandmother), a strong, resourceful woman who nurtures her grandchildren despite her lack of education and anchors their lives in a way that their parents are simply unable to do.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
It’s not easy going. The darkest moments are offset by the knowledge of Angelou’s current stature in the canon. The highlight of the piece is the portrait of Annie Henderson (her maternal grandmother), a strong, resourceful woman who nurtures her grandchildren despite her lack of education and anchors their lives in a way that their parents are simply unable to do.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆