I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

by Jacqueline Kehl (Adapted By), Maya Angelou

[Penguin Readers Level 6]

Autobiography.

Genres: Classics, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Feminism

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een interessant coming of age verhaal van deze grote Amerikaanse schrijfster. Maya Angelou, en misschien ook de her-taler, Jacqueline Kehl, maakten er een meeslepende autobiografie van. Zonder dit goed te bekijken had ik per abuis namelijk deze easy reader Penguin pocket meegebracht van de bibliotheek. 🙄 Het originele verhaal is zonder twijfel meer complex en gedetailleerder. De leesoefeningen achteraan heb ik geskipt. 😃

[athenaowl · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I was going to look like one of the sweet little white girls who were everybody's dream of what was right with the world." p.1

"Wouldn't they be surprised when one day I woke out of my black ugly dream, and my real hair, which was long and blonde, would take the place of the kinky mass that Momma wouldn't let me straighten? My light-blue eyes were going to hypnotize them." p.2

"I rather you have a good mind than a cute behind." p.56

"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." p.82

"They basked in the righteousness of the poor and the exclusiveness of the downtrodden. Let the white folks have their money and power and segregation and sarcasm and big houses and schools and lawns llike carpets, and books, and mostly, mostly, let them have their whiteness. It was better to be meek and lowly, spat upon and abused for this little time then to spend eternity frying in the fires of hell. No one would have admitted that the Christian and charitable people were happy to think of their oppressors turning gorever on the Devil's dpit over the flames of fire and brimstone" p.110

" Those who lived too far had made arrangements to stay in town. It wouldn't do for a black man and his family to be caught on the lonely country road on the night when Joe Louis had proved that we were the strongest people in the world." p.114

" I had wanted to bring something to read, but Momma said if I didn't want to play with the other children I could make myself useful by cleaning fish or bringing water from the nearest well or wood for the barbecue." p.117

[Sue Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you think of the beginnings that some of the great people of the world had, it gives you pause to ponder. This autobiography will certainly do that let me tell you. It's written very simply but you can't put it down as her life was certainly anything but simple. When you stop to think about her early life's experiences , you really wonder how they ever turned out with a semblance of normal, or without incredible anger or bitterness, or any kind of drive at all. She was fortunate to be raised with a lot of love though and so she was raised to be able to meet her obstacles with grace and self determination so that she could rise above them.

This book is basically the intro to her life - the early years, and I found it to end a little abruptly. It took me for a surprise actually - kept turning the pages to see if I missed something, but nothing was there but discussion questions. Well. I guess that's one way to make you read on.

[Phoebe M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great book and I definitely recommend it. Maya Angelou writes about her childhood and writes about many situations that happened within her black community and the experiences that changed her perspectives on life. This book is very inspirational, powerful and compelling. Although this book was complicated at times to read given it was written in the form, in the end after putting all of the puzzle pieces together you finish the read with not only understanding her life story but loving her for who she is and her life.

[Mindy Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and inspiring to read and reflect on how one person develops and succeeds in life. Her childhood was vastly different than mine. How amazing she was to go through the experiences she went through and become such a strong, successful, resilent, and influential woman.

[Jeni Burckart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an eye-opening look at the life of Maya Angelou and a look at a childhood so vastly different from my own it blew my mind.

Such a great read.

[Karissa Sanchez-Conard]

This memoir gives an honest outlook into the African-American culture of the early 1900s. Angelou's metaphorical insight early on shines through in her first book.

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellence

[Leo Nard · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a nice book. it gave me some new knowledge about racism that happened years ago in America. honestly Maya`s life here was a little bit gloomy and dark, so it might be boring for some people I guess.

[S. Wigget · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad I read this again (this time for a book discussion group). It's just as moving a second time.

[Jumana M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short but genuinely lived book! Good writing but no much details though... Would've loved a deeper talk, enjoyable never the less.

[Gabrielle Adlah · Rating 3 out of 5]

“ I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings “ by Maya Angelo is considered a beloved American classic all around the world. Maya Angelou was a poet, dancer, singer, activist, and scholar but most importantly she was an incredible writer. The book was written in 1969 when she was a big part of the civil rights movement. Maya wrote a lot of parts in the very detailed book, in my opinion some parts were too detailed and hard to follow along with at times. If you like a lot of detail in your book then this is the book for you. The book is a memoir about what goes on in Maya Angelou’s life and what she has gone through to get to where she is now.

While Maya and Bailey lived in a small town with their grandmother. They felt like they were being abandoned by their parents and they didn't want them so they sent them away. After a while they go back with their mom in St. Louis and Maya is attacked and raped by a man over twice her age. Now Maya has to live with the outcome of that even with her for the rest of her life. After maya was raped she didn’t really know how to love herself. She didn't even know what love was. The only thing that the mother ever said about love is “Keep your legs closed, and don't let nobody see your pocketbook.” Many years later Maya, her brother and her mother all moved to San Francisco and that is where learns how to love herself and be kind to other people. If all of these things happen then she will be free of imprisonment.

The character Bailey - Maya’s older brother in the book is courageous and stands up for himself even with harsh consequences. He is very protective of Maya and will insult the people that are mean or rude to her. In the book, Maya describes her mother as “A hurricane and a rainbow” her mother is independent, self-absorbed, impulsive, says what she thinks, and mostly, strong.

Between each chapter it either jumps a few years or it adds son to what happened in the chapter before. The chapters were relatively short, 7-10 pages sometimes shorter. There is a lot of writing on the page, it is full from top to bottom with words which make it hard to read because of the font being small so that they can fit a lot on one page. I feel like Maya wrote this book because she wanted to show the world how much she has gone through and how it's okay to end up okay after going through something so bad that your whole life changes. Along with what you believe in and how you go about doing certain things. Never take things for granted, be thankful for what you have and how you were brought up in life, how your parents start, who your family is and how they would react to such a tough situation.

Maya makes her opinion clear about what she thinks about white people; she says that white people are “ people who walk on their heels ‘like horses.’ They are a strange kind of ‘alien unlife;’ they are not folks, they are white folks.” She has very strong opinions about certain things in this book. some I agreed with but some I didn't. But they were opinions that she expressed both sides to. So that you could look at it the way you feel but also the way that she feels. Maya illustrates how the strength of the characters and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma.

[Soraya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;
When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,
And the river flows like a stream of glass;
When the first bird sings and the first bud opes,
And the faint perfume from its chalice steals-
I know what the caged bird feels!

I know why the caged bird beats his wing
Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;
For he must fly back to his perch and cling
When he fain would be on the bough a-swing;
And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars
And they pulse again with a keener sting-
I know why he beats his wing!

I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,-
When he beats his bars and he would be free;'
It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core,
But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings-
I know why the caged bird sings!

// "Sympathy"-Paul Laurence Dunbar

[MJ Sasse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have wanted to read this book for awhile now and I was not disappointed in the slightest! This is one of the most interesting, inspiring, and compelling autobiographies that I have ever read. Angelou writes candidly about her childhood as a black woman growing up in the early 1900s; racism was blatantly obvious in every aspect of life, which makes Angelou's accomplishments all the more inspiring. It is fascinating to read about the events of her life and slowly understand what shaped Angelou into the admirable figure that she was. It was a fairly quick read but was SO impactful. I think that this book definitely deserves a spot on the list of books that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime. I am so glad that I finally got around to reading this book and it has left me with a lot to think about after completing it, especially because it ends so abruptly. I have been putting a lot of thought into what shapes a person into who they are and how much control we have over our own destiny. So this book came at the perfect time in my life to further ponder those questions. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!

[SKORAKORN · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED IT! It was so true and meaningful. A whole journey of life wondering and creating ourselves when dealing with the context in which one’s grew up. It is all about a generation and all the phases : from childhood to adulthood. All about the political context of post colonialism shaping every path she might have taken. The narration is so efficient and took all my attention from the very beginning to the last word.

[Marnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have wanted to read this book for years, and finally listened to the author read the audio version of it. Maya Angelou certainly had a lot of hardship in her life, but it all seems to have built an incredibly strong character. She lived with her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. Her grandmother was a force to be reckoned with, and she had money and some power in the town, even though there was definite racism and segregation during the time.

[Lori Selonke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know the Cage Bird Sings.......Maya Angelo is a icon. She found her way in a time racism was everywhere. With love, laughter, curisoity and wisdom. This audiobiography is about her early years. I was totally ingrosed in her story. Wanted to hear more, the book abruptly ended. I guess I will have to go on google and read more..........Love her.

[Antek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historia p. Angelou jest fenomenalna, wzbudza podziw. Jedynie wystawiam tak niską ocenę, ponieważ niestety trafiłem na skróconą wersję książki (penguin readers), a więc wspaniały język autorki został uproszczony zbyt bardzo, aby mieć taki sam efekt jak oryginał. Dla Mai Angelou 5/5, dla książki w tym wydaniu mocne 3,5 :)

[Bill Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story, very interesting perspective, and quite enjoyable. This is a penguin reader's edition, designed to introduce people to the joy of reading for pleasure. So why the workbook at the end? Despite the chore Penguin attempts to make of my reading, I did enjoy this book.

[Beverly Schott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that describes resilience for a child who has suffered so much pain. Maya Angelou describes her life as well as her family’s that has so much love in the midst of tragic happenings. It is a story of courage.

[El Mehdi · Rating 3 out of 5]

autobiographie of Maya Angelo(marguerite) told by her ,from the age of 4 until she graduate give birth to her son

[Katharine Eger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, tough, heartbreaking

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful easy read

[Heba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maya is a delightful person, It was such a great pleasure to see the world through her eyes, it’s heart breaking and warming too, I liked the book as a friend in hard times.

[Lilian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Niet uitgelezen. Kwam er niet doorheen

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Autobiographical set in 1930s & 40s. Age 3-16.

[Kelsey Ebling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good. I'm so impressed when people can write their life stories with such detail and insight.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have wanted to read this book for a while, but I had not realised that it was part 1 of many more. I'm not sure why it had been split into so many books when this is so short and stops as a young teen.

It is an auto biography from an African-American women growing up in the 1930s and 1940s. She suffers more from her dysfunctional family than from racism. She is raped at the age of 8 she is raped by her mother's boyfriend, she is shipped back and forth between family members and there is not a lot of connection between them except with her brother.
Her brother tries to solve the Southern Black boys "humorless puzzle of inequality and hate".
The style is simple and engaging which makes it easy to read.
I don't think it answered the title, maybe future books do.

[Noora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be pretty good, not great or amazing, and that's why I gave it a 3 stars. For a non-fiction biography its was amazingly an easy read. I loved how much emotion can be felt through the events of her early childhood and how she touched on really sensitive events in her life. I feel like reading just the first part of her autobiography series isn't enough to get a sense of who Maya Angelou is. I'll have to read the rest of the series and rate them as a whole.

[Keller Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I read the original book by Maya A. I mistakenly chose (on Goodreads) some adaptation of the book. That’s not what I read, but I can’t figure out how to change it on Goodreads*

There’s no way to do Maya other than audio book with she reading. Her delivery is hers alone.

I read this book a long time ago. But recently I’ve seen it appear in various articles and lists so I felt like it was a sign to revisit it. I love her storytelling and her story. She has an amazing gift.