kavyajanani's review against another edition
5.0
Since August 1st, I have read this book four times. Yes, the poetry in this one cut that deep. I haven't been able to mark this as 'read' and review it. Maya Angelou's stunning poems are going to haunt me forevermore.
What's astounding is the way Maya explores various themes in her poems. Still I Rise is the most uplifting poem, followed by Life Doesn't Frighten Me, Caged Bird, Phenomenal Woman, Weekend Glory, Woman Work, and One More Round. There's also melancholia in My Life Has Turned To Blue, Insomniac, Prescience, and Refusal. There are also some quirky poems like Lady Luncheon Club and The Health-Food Diner.
Maya Angelou has a knack to write intensely and I'm looking forward to reading more of her works.
What's astounding is the way Maya explores various themes in her poems. Still I Rise is the most uplifting poem, followed by Life Doesn't Frighten Me, Caged Bird, Phenomenal Woman, Weekend Glory, Woman Work, and One More Round. There's also melancholia in My Life Has Turned To Blue, Insomniac, Prescience, and Refusal. There are also some quirky poems like Lady Luncheon Club and The Health-Food Diner.
Maya Angelou has a knack to write intensely and I'm looking forward to reading more of her works.
jxg255's review against another edition
4.0
I can feel her words as she had such a way of writing and using words. She can be so descriptive with a few words.
vince_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
This poetry collection is written like a challenge. It's really difficult to write truthfully. To not censor, or worry about what you write. Angelou does that with subjects like sex and race, and playfully taunts the reader as she does it.
It's also refreshing to read effective end rhyme. Her structure makes her poems more soulful, while speaking her truths—hard and uncensored truths—like a sermon.
This collection is worth it just for the poem Still I Rise. 4.4 stars
laurenjpegler's review against another edition
Don’t really want to rate this. I find poetry quite hard to rate anyway, so thought it best to leave it. I liked some the poems in here - some were quite moving and powerful - but others I felt indifferent to. I really liked the rhythm of these poems in particular!
I really want to start on Angelou’s other work; think I’ll enjoy that a lot more!
I really want to start on Angelou’s other work; think I’ll enjoy that a lot more!
msbethreads's review against another edition
5.0
I adore listening to an author read their own work. She brought life and meaning to the poems different to a reading. The emphasis and cadence on phrases/words was deeply felt. Will be listening too again (probably many timrs).