Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

by Joanne M. Braxton

With the continued expansion of the literary canon, multicultural works of modern literary fiction and autobiography have assumed an increasing importance for students and scholars of American literature. This exciting new series assembles key documents and criticism concerning these works that have so recently become central components of the American literature curriculum. Each casebook will reprint documents relating to the work's historical context and reception, present the best in critical essays, and when possible, feature an interview of the author. The series will provide, for the first time, an accessible forum in which readers can come to a fuller understanding of these contemporary masterpieces and the unique aspects of American ethnic, racial, or cultural experience that they so ably portray.

Perhaps more than any other single text, Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings helped to establish the "mainstream" status of the renaissance in black women's writing. This casebook presents a variety of critical approaches to this classic autobiography, along with an exclusive interview with Angelou conducted specially for this volume and a unique drawing of her childhood surroundings in Stamps, Arkansas, drawn by the Angelou herself.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Biography, Classics, Memoir

176 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1998

Reviews

[AjMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting Maya Angelou at an event several years ago and since that meeting longed to read this book. A great read--which is not surprising for such an amazing woman.

[Rawan Ismail · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know why the caged bird sings In my opinion was very boring, and not that interesting. I did not like it at all, and I do not recommend this book to anyone. I rated this book a two, because it didn’t get my attention. It was very boring, and confusing. The book was very boring and confusing, because it was just her life, there was no real descriptive climax, other than she got raped. The strengths of this would be how it can really touch people’s hearts, in the book Mayas parents are divorced, and she lives with her grandmother, she also is very self conscious, so her pain is something everyone can relate to. Weakness would be that this book does not grab your attention; you can’t really visualize the book. I would read another book by this author, because I only read one book of hers, maybe her other books are good. I can’t say that her books are bad, because I only read one book.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time in college and didn't really love it- I think our class went way to far into the symbolism of the book (I NEVER can see the symbolism in a book, and I get bored with discussing it). This time around, I really enjoyed reading it. Maya had a tough childhood... it gives me courage that people are able to rise above such trials.

[Lois Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought this was the original works, but.... Read it anyway. Very slow.

[Mary Churchill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written autobiography such a joy to read

[Olivia Cipolla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that even though the book could seem a little slow or gave a lot of graphic information it was a good history lesson about the segregated times that African american people had to go through. It goes through a girls life from the time she was very young to adulthood and I thought that was a good aspect of this book. I recommend this book because throughout Maya's journey she becomes a strong young woman that overcomes and does not tolerate racism or sexism.

I loved watching Maya grow up and persevere although the things that happened in her life where horrible, it really sets a good example for people today that feel like they are going through things. People could also relate to Maya and benefit through her transformations in this book. She used to be a very shy little girl that couldn't speak for herself (many people can relate), to becoming the first black woman in San Francisco to work on street cars! I you're a person that likes true stories then read this one! There are really good lessons that you can learn while reading this book especially towards the end, and also gives hope to people that things can change for the good. All around good book!

[Louise Payne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book when I was 13 and in school. I loved it then and I still love it now. Up to this day I have still been sharing it with family and friends. When I was 15 I remembering doing a essay on this book and also writing a letter to the author which my teacher had mailed. Out of all the authors to write back Maya Angelou was the only one who did. Unfortunately for me, I was just a nappy-headed little geek and and had no idea that one day I would want that letter, or how much it would mean to me to have it now.
This was actually the first book I had ever read that was written by a black woman, when I found it in the school library I was like 'This is what I want to do'.

I am a great fan of Maya Angelou, not just of the books as she is a great inspiration to many women everywhere. I will never forget this book and it's story though as it was the first 'big book' I read as a child.

[Bobbie Darbyshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I prefer to read fiction (this autobiography was picked by one of my reading groups) so at first I wasn't hooked, seeing it as a series of essays from memory, all written beautifully, with economy, originality, honesty, empathy, humour, but varying in narrative interest. Also as the first big storyline developed, I feared the book was a 1969 precursor of the unappealing 'misery memoir' genre. I was wrong on both counts. The book is far from miserable, even the lulls have their interest, it develops real narrative structure, and the last 67 pages are terrific. Great writing from a big, gutsy heart. I'm not going to read the whole series of six, but am intrigued to see Ghana through Angelou's eyes in 'All God's Children Need Travelling Shoes', so may give that a go.

[Zeba · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning book that made me feel as though I experienced her joy and her pain first hand. Partly because I can relate to her struggles especially when she was younger but also, her writing is simply beautiful. Why I waited this long to read this book I'm not sure but I feel thankful and I am a changed person for it. My favourite quote from the book when Maya stopped speaking after a tragic experience, "Your grandmother says you read a lot. Every chance you get. That's good but not good enough. Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with the shades of deeper meaning."

[Doris Raines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What. And. Tremendous. Woman. She. Could. Not. Only. Write. Poems. She. Could. Also. Sing. Dance. And. Much. More. I. Recommend. This. Book. To. America. To. Not. Just. Read. Check. Out. Her. Empire. And. History. Of. Writeing. Her. Video. And. Many. More. Video s. Especially. This. One. And. All. The. Rest. I. Truelly. Understand. Her. And. Her. Poems. All. One. Word. She. Is. Just. Simply. A. Genius. Thank . you. Maya. Angleou. For. All. Your. Excellence. Works. Doris.

[Towanda Lorenz]

This was always one of my favorite books. Of course it was read in high school and again as recent as last year. Classic, that's all I can say. I wanted to take a look at this casebook to see if after reading through again as an adult I might find something new. An idea that I might have missed or allowing my adult perspective on things take me into an entirely different direction with this story. We will see.
Written by one of the greatest storytellers of all times. I always imagine her reading the story directly to me.

[Rose Marten · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so easy to forget that this book is an autobiography. Maya Angelou's beautiful prose and incredible story blow many completely fictionalized books out of the water. I love how she is never completely downtrodden and even in the worst of times (being raped at a very young age, living in a junkyard for a month etc.) she maintains a strong and positive outlook on life. I absolutely believe this is a must read.

[Rajiv Chopra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I personally found this book to be okay.

I was rather engaged in the beginning, as I found Maya's description and narrative style to be rather fascinating. As the book progressed, however, I felt that I was losing the plot and started to become a bit disengaged with the book.

A good book that captured my intellect, but not my heart

[Jahmilla2010 · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings I felt I knew the real Maya. Angelou doesn't try to cover up any of her mistakes or bad experiences and allows the reader to see her faults. There is no screen between the reader and the author.

[Kathy Whipple · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the language that Maya Angelou uses but when I read about her life I am glad I haven't had to have her journey. Her early years were quite rough and somehow she has be able to find a beautiful voice through it all.

[Judi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned how difficult it was to live a life as a black person in the South! I learned that society, as a whole, has come a long way in our thinking...at least most of us!!! I love how Maya writes, but at times got bored.

[Heather Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing autobiography- To kill a mockingbird from the other side of Segregation.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do I even need to say. CLASSIC!

[i bet you just cant keep up with the fashionistas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic classic classic classic what more can i say

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

an interesting insight of a black girl from a poor community and how most black children were raised by their grandparents.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book my junior year in high school. I have read many of her works all worth the time.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amazing piece of writing, I loved every minuite of it.

[S. Dixon, DTR · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's amazing to see the turbulent life Maya started out with and who she has become. Her story gives strength to all who read it.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya Angelou autobiography. Wow!!. It shoulds you can excel no matter what valleys and lows you life may have. You can break free.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading for AM lit class in college.

[Corey Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timeless classic by one of my favorite writer/poets!

[Rionna Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books everyone should read. It helps define who you are as a human, what it means to have human feelings and how to proceed with that strength and weakness. It is beautiful!

[Alys Geiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

[Larry Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody tells a story like Maya Angelou.

[Robert Osenenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rural life writing from someone who knows the experience cannot be duplicated no matter how many apps they have. A reminder of how important and powerful memoir writing can be.