Total Page : 288
Publisher : Random House
Publication Date : 2002 03 05
>> A Must Read But If Only To Say That You ve Read It
Just recently I started reading autobiographies by black writers and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is one of the more famous and well known books of that genre I was so excited to finally read it as it has been on my list for a number of years And I have to say and I m speaking honestly here I was bored out of my mind I couldn t wait to be finished The book reminded me so much of Maya Angelou and the slow and steady way she speaks as if every single word is a treasure in itself I kinda of felt like I was stuck in molasses and couldn t get out
This book is one of those that every middle school child will be forced to read and I feel so sorry for those poor children This book had me yawning so much I got a little upset with the fact that it is so glorified and loved And the only explanation I can come up with is that maybe because it was originally published in 1969 it must have been such a beacon for black writers at the time to know that they can share their life stories with others and make a difference if only to break down the door for other writers to do the same
Don t get me wrong I really respect Maya Angelou I love her poetry and the endless wisdom that seems to seep from her very pores but I don t love this book But like the title of this review says the book is a must read but if only to say that you ve read it
If you want to read an autobiography that will have you tearing through the pages in anticipation for what will happen next I suggest reading the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass The Autobiography of Malcolm X one of the best ever written or Bone Black Memories of a Girlhood by bell hooks just to name a few
>> Inspiring Book
I have just recently read this book and I was amazed to know about the graphic negative things that Maya Angelou went through in her childhood but also inspired to learn how she embraced various poets and their literature to helped her emerege triumphant in the end Her writing is so poetic yet so very real Although I would like to know her explaination as to why she chose the title
I Know Why the Caged Birds Sing Overall this was a great read
>> Memorable Book when growing up
This book was published in 1969 I would have been 12 so I am guessing I read it sometime in the 70 s my teen years and I remember being very moved I have not read it again but am planning to do so I am very surprised and shocked at the controversy I had no idea someone wouldnt like it or have the impressions that have been written in these reviews I do know that rereading books from my childhood is a totally different experience one I cannot recreate I am different and the world is a different place I am wondering if some of the criticism has to do with your age when you read this and also if now is the first time for reading this book the world we live in is totally different Our views how we live etc so some of these may influence your perception All I know is I remember this as one of my all time favorite books that moved me Others are I Never Promised You a Rose Garden A Tree Grows in Brooklyn The Velvet Room From the Mixed up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler A Wrinkle in Time series Island of the Blue Dolphins Little Women Anne of Green Gables whole series an all time favorite reread Flowers for Algernon Jonathan Livingston Seagull yah this ages me The Little Prince these are just some from my childhood and teen years I read a lot I know I have forgotten some important book that were pivotal for me but I have not thought about these books in a long time Most of these were written in the 60 s and 70 s I am amazed at how many top books of the time I did read wondering how I chose them Oh I almost forgot 1984 Fahrenheit 451 The Secret Garden All these had great impact probably because of being young and impressionable My friend lent me her copy of The Secret Garden that had been her Grandmothers Oh what I would do for that copy now I love old books even then it added to the ambience and mystery to reading it Also loved The Little Princess by same author
Anyway I know that the book Why the Caged Bird Sings touched me in ways I had never experienced I am glad I read it and plan on rereading soon I recommend this book as a must read
