My rating: 5/5 stars

“The Black female is assaulted in her tender years by all those common forces of nature at the same time that she is caught in the tripartite crossfire of masculine prejudice, white illogical hate and Black lack of power. The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors and deserves respect if not enthusiastic acceptance.”

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Poetic writing and effortless flow, this truly is a masterpiece. I now know why everyone loves and raves about this book. ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ begins with Angelou’s life as a four year old living with her brother, grandmother and uncle. It slowly follows her journey into early adolescence – the complicated relationships with her mother and father, and her realization and experiences of racism and abuse.

From Arkansas to San Francisco and many stops along the way, this enthralling autobiography, details moments of Angelou’s life that will make you smile and others that are incredibly heartbreaking.

The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that it ended. Particularly at a moment where a whole new life journey was about to start. So I guess I’ll have to read the second volume in the autobiographical series to feed my curiosity 🙂