A review by seannflyn
And Still I Rise, by Maya Angelou

3.0

First book of poetry I've read in a while all the way through, and also it's my first Angelou book. Snappy, humorous at times, and freedom-seeking. Pretty good, but in terms of her creative potential it didn't blow me away. I felt at times the poems were throwaway remarks, seemingly unfinished or lacking the refined concision of someone like Plath, and that no real engagement existed between her and the written word. Blasé is probably a good descriptor. But I guess that casualness to life etc. is the appeal. Favourite poems were "Kin","In Retrospect", "Prelude to a Parting","Insomniac" and "Prescience".