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A review by susannadkm
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
4.0
“The Black female is assaulted in her tender years by all those common forces of nature at the same time that she is caught in the tripartite crossfire of masculine prejudice, white illogical hate and Black lack of power. The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors and deserves respect if not enthusiastic acceptance.” (Chapter 34)
I’m a little embarrassed that until a few months ago, I thought this was a book of poetry. Nope. It’s an unflinching account of a hard, hard childhood. Angelou doesn’t write about very many white people crossing her path, but their oppressive presence is felt throughout. I was struck by little Bailey’s question after seeing a Black man’s body wash up in a river.
“The colored men backed off and I did too, but the white man stood there, looking down, and grinned. Uncle Willie, why do they hate us so much?” (Chapter 25).
I do think the book would have been better if it were a little shorter.
I listened to the audiobook read by Maya Angelou.
I’m a little embarrassed that until a few months ago, I thought this was a book of poetry. Nope. It’s an unflinching account of a hard, hard childhood. Angelou doesn’t write about very many white people crossing her path, but their oppressive presence is felt throughout. I was struck by little Bailey’s question after seeing a Black man’s body wash up in a river.
“The colored men backed off and I did too, but the white man stood there, looking down, and grinned. Uncle Willie, why do they hate us so much?” (Chapter 25).
I do think the book would have been better if it were a little shorter.
I listened to the audiobook read by Maya Angelou.