This book is a wonderful reflection of growing up Black in America. I felt Maya's hurt and confusion and pain in reading her story. She really captured childhood constricted joys and adolescent turmoil and grappling with the real world. Her view of the world gave me hope during a difficult time. 

i don’t really know how to rate autobiographies because it feels like i’m rating someone’s lived experience. that being said this book was quite good especially because i audiobooked it with angelou’s narration 

it was touching, reflective, and gave a window into a life i never could have known otherwise. i have no experience with angelou besides learning about her in school and probably reading a poem or two at some point. i hope to read more of her books and learn more of her activism going forward 

This is the first Maya Angelou boo I’ve read or maybe reread as an adult. Her words and descriptive language continue to be remarkable and hit in the best way. I can imagine when this was first published in the ‘60s, how this story flooded, stunned and found its audience. 

Normally I write longer reviews after I've had a day or two to digest the book, so I'll keep it short for now.

Immediate reactions/thoughts: how one's circumstances shape oneself (nurture over nature); whether Maya's experiences were normal in their diverted-ness, or if she was unusually nomadic; the traumas embedded in the families, social customs, and cultures of Black Americans (and liberation in Mexico), as well as in her personal history (pockmarked with darkness that would warrant trigger warnings in the 2020s); the frequent juxtaposition of imagined "success" rather than the reality (e.g., a self-described 'military dietitian' living in a mansion vs a cafeteria cook living in a trailer) delineating cultural worlds (the façade drops with the intrusion of the oppressive culture); and other thoughts but I'm quite tired now.

Maya is, as always, incredible.

It’s hard to believe all of this happened to one person in under 18 years. The book offers a truly fascinating account of an interesting life, vividly capturing the experience of a Black girl growing up in the U.S. South during the twentieth century.

As for the writing style, it took me some time to finish the book. The way certain elements of the story were woven together and the pacing of how long each aspect was explored could have been improved in places.

Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a raw and honest memoir that chronicles her challenging childhood, marked by racism, poverty, and sexual assault. Angelou's lyrical prose paints a vivid picture of her experiences, filled with both pain and resilience. 

One of the most striking aspects of this memoir is Angelou's powerful use of language. Her poetic and deeply personal writing style invites readers to empathize with her journey, from the darkest moments to the most joyful. Her ability to convey both joy and pain with such eloquence is truly awe-inspiring. 

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it. It's a reminder of the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and find meaning in even the darkest of times. 

It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates beautiful writing and powerful storytelling.