I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

By Maya Angelou

  • Release Date: 1970-01-12
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 1,161 Ratings

Description

Here is a book as joyous and painful, as mysterious and memorable, as childhood itself. 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. Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide.
 
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. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age—and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime. Years later, in San Francisco, Maya learns that love for herself, the kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors (“I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare”) will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned.
 
Poetic and powerful, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings will touch hearts and change minds for as long as people read.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings liberates the reader into life simply because Maya Angelou confronts her own life with such a moving wonder, such a luminous dignity.”—James Baldwin

Reviews

  • Fantastic

    5
    By Dentist_Austin
    This book truly took me through a well narrated rollercoaster of emotions, laughter and thoughtfulness. Highly recommend. Maya Angelou is an amazing writer!
  • Absolutely incredible!

    5
    By Chris Zelig
    Such a wonderful book! Usually books take me forever to complete, but I literally couldn’t put this book down. Thank you Maya for being you!
  • Masterpiece

    5
    By OchoaWhite
    This is an incredible autobiography of an incredible woman. So much to learn from her experiences and her view of the world. I read it in one day, as I couldn’t put it down. Maya Angelou is my hero!
  • Do not buy this audiobook!

    1
    By happylibrarian98
    This is a partial book! It skips chapters!
  • Glad To Have Experienced This Book

    4
    By A. M. McDonagh
    I have a newfound appreciation for the writings of the author after reading this book.
  • A required read that changed me

    5
    By Claya13
    I was required to read this book in the summer before my ninth grade. I had no idea what to expect. Upon reading this, I enjoyed hearing a black story without misery as the theme. Maya Angelou had become one of my favorite authors from this. I would highly recommend!
  • Simply Transfixing

    5
    By No Name Aria
    Maya Angelou has a power, a gift of being able to explain life in ways that make sense no matter where you are in life or when in time your life takes place. ❤️
  • I loved this book

    5
    By BosLife Queen
    I saw the movie, but I’m one of those who believe that the book gives more of a deeper message then the movie.. So yes I had to read the book it was only fair that I did🥰🥰
  • Book Review

    1
    By Roseareta
    I had to read this for my AP book choice in 10th grade and I do not recommend. In my opinion, I was bored out of my mind throughout the book and I love to read so it surprises me.
  • Overcoming ignorant societal prejudices

    5
    By Macnyac
    This book is well written and very engaging. I like Maya’s chronology of her different life phases. And she captures each phase with authenticity. She’s a great example that society doesn’t define you but rather you define how society should view you. Need I say this book educated me how to treat a woman by the way she perceives herself in which case Maya let’s us into her thoughts. Thank you Maya for sharing your life with us and may you dwell amongst us through your works.

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