Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age-and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime. Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash.” At eight years old and back at her mother’s side in St. Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right. Here is a book as joyous and painful, as mysterious and memorable, as childhood itself. Her life story is told in the documentary film And Still I Rise, as seen on PBS’s American Masters. This is the first autobiography I read which I would consider to be literature, written with wit and wisdom to boot.īuy I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings from Amazon.Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide. The arc of the memoir, from a little girl with an inferiority complex, to a young adult full of strength and confidence is something many could relate to. Suffering racism galore, with nowhere to be safe, as well as many other anecdotes. Living with their grandmother, a strong and independent woman who owns a general store. Only a tags on their wrists tagged “to whom it may concern”. From being put on a train with her brother Bailey from Arkansas to California without supervision. The stories the author, back then known as Marguerite, tells are astounding. Much like other biographies, self-introspection about past experiences are usually what makes them worth reading. Angelou, with the benefit of years of hindsight are real and raw. While this is a memoir of a young lady, the reflection of Ms. The author talks about such difficult subjects as rape and race relations with frankness and openness. Angelou doesn’t take herself too seriously, however, the subject matter is very serious. The book ranges from very funny, to heartbreaking. This autobiography talks about the author’s childhood, and into her teenage years. My daughter had to read this book for school, so I figured I might as well jump at the chance while it’s at home. I didn’t think I would enjoy I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou as much as I did.

My rating for I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings- 5īuy I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings from * Angelou is an American icon, Civil Rights figure, actress, and, of course, poet. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is a memoir of the author’s childhood, this is the first in a series of autobiographical books Ms.

I know why the caged bird sings amazon