I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.75 You Save: $2.24 (32%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Book Review: Review:
Summary: 5 Stars
This books is the first of five books written about Maya Angelou (born Marguerite Johnson) chronicling her own life. She--and her brother Bailey--were sent to the Jim Crow South to live with their grandmother at a very young age. In this book, we follow her from childhood in Stamps, Arkansas to adulthood in WWII San Francisco.I don't know why I haven't read this book sooner. I admire Maya Angelou as a speaker and a poet, but it took something like Banned Books Week to make me get off my ass and read this book. I've had this book for a couple of years. I remember there was an excerpt from this book in my English 101 book when I first started college. I kept telling myself that I was going to read it soon, and I finally have.
I can see why the subject matter would concern some people, but I don't think this should be pulled from schools. I don't believe that she ever intended for this to be on a school's reading list, but it is (on some), and I think that it should stay there. It doesn't glorify racism or sexual abuse. Instead, it seems to teach a lesson and speak warnings.
Angelou's writing was candid. She didn't hold back about her life and the hardships that she encountered. She shares an honest view on racism and sexual abuse. The writing takes on a more personal tone that makes it easy to read. And of course, this was all related with a eloquent, poetical prose style that is uniquely Angelou.
Book Review: compared to To Kill a Mockingbird.....
Summary: 3 Stars
Our 8th grade English class was required to pick an independent reading book. I picked I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou. At the same time, my class was reading To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is similar to To Kill A Mockingbird in many ways. Both books portray a girl and her brother growing up in a Southern town. The main character represents the author as a young girl learning about prejudice and the hardships of life. Both authors express their views and opinions through the main character. The key difference between the two books is "as simple as black and white." Maya is black and sees the whites as a group of prejudiced rich people. Scout is white and sees how her classmates and her town is prejudiced against Tom Robinson and other blacks. An interesting observation that I made was that although both books are against prejudice, both authors are partly prejudiced themselves. Maya Angelou seems to see all whites as evil and prejudiced, while Harper Lee shows kind whites like Atticus. Lee makes the blacks seem accepting of prejudice and docile while Angelou sees blacks as people who are very aware of their situation and rebel against prejudice as often as possible. I think that each of these books only show half the story. To get a complete picture of growing up in a racist town you have to read them both.Book Review: Have any of you people actually read this book!
Summary: 1 Stars
I can honestly say that I thouroughly enjoyed this book........ until I actually read it. What a wonderful role model our "politically correct" society is raising for our children. Not only have you people idolized a blatant racist, but have bowed down to the sniveling, whining hypocrisy that is printed on the pages of this misfit novel. Yes I'm sorry that life was tough for African Americans when Maya grew up it was a fact of life, something we cannot do anything about. But isn't it nice the views and solutions that good ole Maya teaches us: "People were those that lived on my side of town. These others, the strange pale creatures that lived in their alien unlife, weren't considered folks." (Maya 21) She screams of the gross injustices imposed by Whites yet is more than happy to dehumanize them before she gets 1/10 of the way into the book! Well at least she worked hard in school despite her hardships...... until she started skipping classes and having sex with random guys. But hey if you people want to drool and slobber over this piece of junk then that is your right, BECAUSE YOU ARE ALL PEOPLE! NOT ALIEN THINGS! But do not sit there and tell me this is a work of art. Some of us don't suffer under the delusion that hardships automatically create magnificent role models because you are mistaken..... and here is proof.Book Review: Charmed but Cautious
Summary: 3 Stars
This book provides well-written insight into growing up as a black child during the Depression. Maya Angelou is wonderful with her use of words and imagery. I was greatly reminded of my own childhood and what being a kid really meant. Written in first person, she addresses childhood fears, respect for adults and growing up with such tangible details that she could be her eight-year-old self again.
Angelou's insights into the African-American way of life and religion during a time of national change range from tender to comical. She speaks warmly of her love for her brother and her frustration with the young white girls. It is sweet to see the growing up process taking affect and the experiences of youth shaping her character.
I am somewhat relieved that we were not permitted to read this book back in my high school literature class where many parents were opposed to it. I fear it would have caught me off guard in many respects. Many of the sexual themes running throughout the book are quite heavy and discussed in detail. Both the subjects of rape and teen pregnancy are covered and sex in general is frequently alluded to.
Though I do perceive this as a lovely piece of literature, I would be cautious in offering it to teens and others who may be unprepared for its impact.
Book Review: I know why the caged bird sings
Summary: 4 Stars
"I know why the caged bird sings"I know why the caged bird sings by Maya Angelou was a great book. This book told us about her life and how tough it was as a young African American girl growing up in the 50's and 60's. She was molested and raped, and put in other situations that she didn't want to be in, this book is just informing us that we will sooner or later be put in a position like she was. She lived in a world that ostracized her because she was black, everyday African Americans are put in that position, all she's telling you is how to handle it. I believe that every child, adult, and elderly person should read this book and I'm telling you, you will like it.
I know why the caged bird sings was one of the most touching novels that I have ever read. I had to read I this book for my first year of high school but if I knew it was this excellent I would've read it much earlier. I know why the caged bird sings is an intellectual and very magnificence novel, I would read it again and again until I know it by heart. If you didn't read this book you should, I would again. I admire Maya Angelou as a speaker and a poet; she's an artist not just to me but many others. I read all of Maya Angelou's poetry and I have read most of her novels and have loved all of them.