October {2011} Discussion -- I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS by Maya Angelou

[Charity]

We can't wait to hear what you think!

[Bea]

I just finished listening to this yesterday. I heartily recommend the version narrated by Maya Angelou. Her voice is so rich and melodious.

I approached this read with trepidation. I knew in advance that it dealt with racism, child abuse and rape. What I didn't know is that it also is deeply human and very funny in parts. My upbringing was very different, but I related so much to the author's world view growing up as a "tender-hearted" (sensitive) and imaginative child.

I loved this book.

Looking forward to the discussion.

[Jenny]

I recently finished and I really liked it. Some of Ms. Angelou's metaphorical flourishes tripped me up a little, but it was beautifully written. Her description of her years in Stamps were slower paced but as she grew older the narrative sped up considerably. I found it to be appropriate since that is how we seem to experience our youth. It was both heartbreaking and humorous. I especially enjoyed reading about driving her father away from the Mexican fiesta and her tenacity in pursuing her first job. I just loved how she grew up from an insecure little girl to a courageous and somewhat precocious teen.
I would love to learn more about Mother Dear as well. She wrote her to be a flawed but truly remarkable woman and mother and I felt myself wanting to learn more about her.
I also wanted to find out what happens to Bailey, so I think I might have to read the rest of her autobiographies.

[Bea]

I thought the fantasy about her grandmother's confrontation with the white dentist was priceless. The situation itself was so sad but you could see that this little girl was born to write. I really admired that grandmother throughout the book.

[B.]

I have a date with a bubble bath, a glass of wine and this book tonight! Cannot wait to get started on it!

[Danyellemastro]

This was a strange one for me. I wanted to love it, and like it enough I did, but I think for the most part I wanted more - not in terms of more racism, or more abuse (heavens no!) but a deeper connection with Angelou through her prose.

Her poetry invites us in so much more intimately, and I felt a lot of what I read was a study in characters not well enough developed. I know that autobiography creates constraint, on both characters mentioned and perceptions formed, and in Maya Angelous' case I definately felt her struggle between her truth and her pen.

Not bad, an enjoyable enough read, but not as deep as I expected. Looking forward to the winter group reads!

[Josh]

Just finished. I've never read any of her work before, never really wanted to because I didn't think it would interest me and I thought it would be hard for me to relate to.

I'm happy to say that I was enthralled with this book and could hardly put it down. I look forward to reading more of her work. Good choice for this month.

[Kristi]

I really enjoyed this book. Angelou's story was very captivating, and as a work of literature, it deftly weaves together issues of race, class, gender, regional culture, and so much more. After some less enjoyable experiences reading caricatured accounts of these issues, I was pleasantly surprised by the complexity and nuance of Angelou's narration. I found her mother to be a particularly interesting character, simultaneously weak and strong, inconstant and reliable.

So glad I finally read this!

[Trisha]

I thought that this was an ok read. I felt her story was very interesting, but there was something lacking in her writing style that made it feel a little slow. I have read other autobiographies that would really pull the reader into the story, but I felt like that extra "something" was missing here. It was still a good book though, and it was brave of her to share her story and describe what the culture was like at that time.

[Amanda]

Dbolden wrote: "This was a strange one for me. I wanted to love it, and like it enough I did, but I think for the most part I wanted more - not in terms of more racism, or more abuse (heavens no!) but a deeper con..."

Dbloden, I am not sure which version of the book you have, but the one I have says that Caged Bird is one in a series of memoirs by Maya. Maybe they would be worth looking into based on your feelings about Caged Bird. (Just something I thought you'd like to know.) :)

[Melissa]

Amanda wrote: "Dbolden wrote: "This was a strange one for me. I wanted to love it, and like it enough I did, but I think for the most part I wanted more - not in terms of more racism, or more abuse (heavens no!) ..."

I'm pretty sure Angelou covered her life in five installments. I read "Heart of a Woman" years ago, and enjoyed it as well. I think I enjoy her poetry best though- what voice.

I saw her speak once at Kent State University. Even though she wasn't there for any specific purpose, she was amazing and inspiring. It was like attending the best commencement ever. I left that auditorium feeling like I could take on the world. I highly recommend if you ever have a chance, you see her in person.

[Amanda]

I was a bit surprised originally to find an autobiography amongst the mainly fiction offerings of the 1001 books, but I have to say that I can easily see why it made the cut, Angelou's writing reads as smooth as fiction. She lead an eventful life in a time and place as fascinating as it is tragic, is a wonderful writer and has an amazing ability to channel her childhood memories. I'll certainly be looking into her other works.

[Chel]

I read this a couple of years ago and thought it was great, having good character development and alot of emotional development through circumstances the protagonist faced. I thought the characters were fantastic and was surprised to find it quite exciting too.

[Amanda]

You make it sound like a work of fiction, Chel! I don't think you are wrong though. There hasn't been a lot of discussion on this book and I feel in part it must be because it is hard to know how to analyse a work of non-fiction, especially one as personal and frank as this. What makes it so great though is that it is so very readable because it shares so many of the hallmarks of good literature. I have read childhood memoirs that were emotionally manipulative and self-pitying, but this work is strong and impartial.

[Melissa]

Upon finishing this book, my only thought was "I love this woman".

Several reviews seem to criticize her character development, but her characters were very real to me, even given what a mystery most people in her life were to her.

It has been mentioned that this should not be recommended to teens, but I wholeheartedly disagree with that. She shows by example how to overcome obstacles in life that most people can't even imagine. She takes responsibility for her actions, "does what is necessary" when necessary, and emphasizes how important it is to get an education. Many children lead similar lives today, regardless of whether we want to accept that or not. Maya shares very personal thoughts, which are extremely humorous at times, exposing a wildly creative young mind and brilliant prose. She reminds us that we can all persevere and make a difference.

I was able to relate to her youthful awkwardness, fearful childhood thoughts and fantasies, and found myself laughing out loud on several occasions.

My favorite lines were:
"My formal Spanish must have sounded as pretentious to the ears of the paisano as "Whither goest my sire?" would have sounded to a semi-literate Ozark mountaineer."

"I shivered to think how that revelation would add to her iceberg of hate for me"

I look forward to reading her other memoirs.

[FrankH]

An affecting memoir. I had trouble reconciling the bold, experimental California teenager with the precocious youngster growing up in Stamps, and am not entirely sure why the author didn't spend more time coming to terms with the abandonment by her natural parents or, at the end, with the casual, confused manner in which she became a mother. Was there anything in the text that connected her rape as a child with the fascination with Lesbianism? For me, the best story-telling comes from her keen observations on the black community in rural Arkansas. Loved the humor in the account of Reverend Thomas and Sister 'Preach It' Monroe and the pathos and dignity of her race -- the underclass -- emerging from the account of the tent meeting. When Angelou depicts Momma talking and lifting the spirits of her weary customers, just getting by, we get the idea that her determination to keep the shop financially healthy was all in service to her true Christian ministry.