I had been waiting for this reading for many, many years. And before I managed to pick up the original, a new, wonderful translation appeared in Poland, so I no longer had any excuses.

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is one of the most important American books that I have had the opportunity to read. It is the autobiographical story of a black girl growing up in the Deep South, who contends with racism, violence (including sexual violence), and the difficulties of coming of age in the 1930s and 1940s. Angelou creates a work that is full and moving.

Her words paint a vivid picture of the harsh realities she faced, yet also展现出 her strength, resilience, and the power of hope. Through her story, we gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of African Americans during that time period and are inspired by her ability to overcome adversity.

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is not just a book, but a powerful testament to the human spirit and the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges.

Even before I began listening to this audiobook, I could distinctly hear Angelou's voice, deep and unique. I recall seeing her on TV at some point in the past. Notably, although it was a while ago, when she read a poem she had written for President Clinton's inauguration.

This autobiography of her early years, from age four through sixteen, presents a challenging story at times, yet it is an astonishing account. At four years old, she and her brother Bailey are dispatched to Stamps, Arkansas, to live with their paternal grandmother, a devoutly religious and astute store owner, and their disabled Uncle Willy. They assist at the store, attend school, and endure the harsh realities of ugly racism. Four years later, they go to live with their mother, and at eight years old, Maya is raped by her mother's boyfriend. The children return to live with their grandmother, but Maya is so traumatized by the attack that she ceases speaking for several years.

However, amidst the difficult times in this portrayal of the Jim Crow South, there are moments of happiness and revelations about what life has to offer. It is back in Stamps that she develops a passion for reading, and she refers to Shakespeare as her first white love. She shares the joy of making her first friend and her unconditional love for her brother Bailey. The descriptions of the revival meeting, the church picnic, and the days at her grandmother's store are poetic, and her wonderful storytelling transports me there. A few years later, they move back with their mother, and it is here in California that we witness the impact of the past on her and also see her come of age at sixteen, on her path to becoming the renowned activist, writer, and poet. Angelou does nothing less than lay bare her heart and soul in this deeply personal and moving narrative.

Childhood memories are often a mix of joy and pain. I remember living in Arkansas with my grandmother, a time that was filled with simple pleasures and the warmth of her love. Later, I moved to St. Louis to live with my mother. However, at the age of eight, I experienced sexual abuse, which left a deep scar on my young heart. But through it all, my brother Bailey was always there, providing love and support, and giving me hope for the future.

As I grew older, I moved back to San Francisco with my mother. It was during this time that I began to question myself about my sexuality. It was a confusing and difficult period, but I knew that I had to be true to myself. At the age of seventeen, I achieved a significant milestone. I became the first African-American to be hired to work in the transportation department. This was a moment of great pride for me, and it gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams.

Honest story, inspiring.

There’s something truly captivating about Maya Angelou.

Her demeanour exudes a sense of grace and dignity, while her ladylike manners are a testament to her upbringing.

But perhaps most remarkable is her unwavering resolve.

It is no wonder that she became a national treasure.

An incident during her early childhood that should have stolen her innocence hardly affected her spirit.

Without a hint of bitterness, she created a detached shell around herself, maybe as a form of protection against a world that made her feel inadequate and adults who failed to safeguard her properly.

Her entire outlook on life made her wise beyond her years.

Spending her childhood as a loner allowed her to be a keen observer and gave her a deep thirst for education and a desire to improve her path in life.

She was an enormous inspiration, and this book beautifully showcases her growth from an innocent, naive child into a woman of great quality and substance.

This book is the first in a series of memoirs that she wrote, offering readers a fascinating glimpse into her remarkable life journey.

Perfect. A Masterpiece.

This statement truly holds for the remarkable work that is being discussed. It is not just an ordinary book but a literary gem that has the power to captivate and inspire.

Hype Lit Bookclub.

The Hype Lit Bookclub has recognized the significance of this particular piece. It has become a topic of great interest and discussion among the members.

Around the Year In 52 Books: A book inspired by real events.

This book, which is part of the "Around the Year In 52 Books" collection, is especially captivating as it is inspired by real events. It offers a unique perspective and allows readers to explore the real world through the lens of the story.

2018 Popsugar Reading Challenge: A book with an animal in the title.

Moreover, it also meets the criteria of the 2018 Popsugar Reading Challenge, having an animal in the title. This adds an extra layer of intrigue and makes it a must-read for those participating in the challenge. Overall, this book is a must-have for any book lover.

If I were Maya Angelou,

I would view the world with a clear and unobstructed perspective. I wouldn't look at things from an overly lofty or humble position, nor would I be too close or too far away. I would see the true essence of everything.

I would grace the stage with confidence, shining like a bright light, and sing my heart out to the eager crowd. I wouldn't let any opportunity pass by without flinging my thoughts into the air, loud and proud. For in a life filled with suffering and injustice, day in and day out, instead of becoming distorted and throwing my life away, I would take my lack of privilege and crush it in my fist. I would hold it to my lips and blow it away, as gently as if it were a flower being kissed.

If I were Maya Angelou, I would play the cards of life as they are dealt. I wouldn't even need to do so on a blue guitar. But alas, there is only one of me, and there will never be another Angelou. And though I sing a beautiful melody, I sing it soft and low, in my own unique way.

There are some biographies that are rather to extremely boring. Sometimes when reading them, you wonder why the life of that person should be made into a book? The biography of Maya Angelou does not belong to this category. Her life from the very first day of her existence was not easy because she was born with a pigment on her skin in an era when this characterized a person's identity and in the worst way possible. The experiences to which the author was subjected since she was a child are unbelievable and even more unbelievable is the way and the strength with which she dealt with them. It is enough - perhaps - to mention as an example that at the age of 8 she was raped by her uncle and for a certain period of time she refused to speak again. However, this biography, despite all the suffering and difficulties of the protagonists, is not just a sad one. On the contrary, it is a path to hope and the strength of the soul. Each chapter of this book is a new adventure, a new turn. Each page is written in such a vivid way with such polyphony that you forget that you are reading a first-person account - biography and you think that you have penetrated into the most interesting story. I recommend it WITHOUT HESITATION!!!

To put it simply, I adored this!

This experience was truly remarkable and left a lasting impression on me. From the very moment I encountered it, I was captivated by its charm and allure. Every aspect of it seemed to be perfectly crafted, appealing to my senses and emotions. The details were exquisite, and I couldn't help but notice and appreciate the thought and care that had gone into its creation. It was like a work of art that I couldn't get enough of. I found myself completely immersed in it, losing track of time and everything else around me. It brought me a sense of joy and fulfillment that I haven't felt in a long time. I will definitely cherish this memory and look forward to experiencing it again in the future.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou, is a profound and influential work.

This 1969 autobiography details the early life of the American writer and poet. It is the first in a seven-volume series and serves as a powerful coming-of-age story.

The book begins when three-year-old Maya and her older brother are sent to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. It concludes when Maya becomes a mother at 16.

Throughout the narrative, Maya evolves from a victim of racism with low self-esteem to a self-assured and dignified young woman.

The accompanying poem by Angelou further emphasizes the theme of confinement and the longing for freedom.

The free bird enjoys the wind, the current, and the sky, while the caged bird, with clipped wings and tied feet, sings of freedom with a fearful trill.

This work has been widely recognized and translated, with different versions and interpretations.

It has had a significant impact on literature and society, shedding light on the experiences of African Americans and the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity.

Overall, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a must-read for anyone interested in autobiography, literature, or the human experience.

"It was a terrible era to be black and have no control over one's life. It was brutal to be young and already trained to sit in silence and listen to the accusations against my race without being able to defend myself."

Marguerite Ann Johnson, better known as Maya Angelou. She was a ballerina, poet, actress, a militant in the civil rights movements of the African American people, and so much more. She was a brilliant and versatile personality who told her story in seven autobiographical books, of which only two were published in Italy. The first one was "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", published in the United States in 1969 and in Italy first by Beat Edizioni in 1994 with a literally translated title "Io so perchè canta l'uccello in gabbia"; then by Frassinelli in 1996 with the title "Il canto del silenzio".

Born in 1928, in this first book, she tells the years of her childhood up to the age of sixteen. Her arrival at the age of three with her brother Baylee in the small village of Stamps (Arkansas) will make her a witness to that terrible disease called segregationism.

"In Stamps, segregation was absolute, so much so that most black children were completely unaware of what whites looked like. However, it was known that they were different,可怕的, and in that fear was contained the hostility of the powerless towards the powerful, of the poor towards the rich, of the worker towards the boss, and of the ragged towards those who are well dressed. I remember never having believed that whites were really real."

She spends her daily life under the protective wing of her paternal grandmother - an emblematic figure of female strength - and witnesses the desperate reality of the cotton pickers:

"Years later, I would oppose the stereotyped image of the cotton pickers, always happy and in a singing mood, with so much anger that I felt myself being told by blacks themselves that my paranoia was embarrassing. But I had seen fingers cut by the small and solitary capsules of cotton, and I had been a witness to backs, shoulders, arms, and legs exhausted.".

The railroad tracks are the dividing line between two universes: the white and the black. Humanity decomposed by color. Incommunicability and oppression that see no outlet because everyone must remain in their place. "The boys" will take care of putting in order those who transgress, because someone must remind those with a weak memory how things are. Hooded faces as if cruel ignorance could be hidden.

She will see one of those mutilated and exposed bodies as a warning. Certain things are not forgotten. Maya, at the age of eight, back in Saint Louis, suffers violence that takes away her spirit and her voice. Certain things are not forgotten.

But life also offers the possibility of encounters that give a turn, and this will happen with Mrs Flowers when she tells her:

"Your grandmother says you read a lot. Whenever you have the opportunity. That's a good thing, but it's not enough. Words mean more than what is written on the paper. The human voice is necessary to infuse them with the nuances of a deeper meaning.".

And the voice returns. A stubborn voice in wanting to reach seemingly impossible goals, such as being the first African American woman to be hired by the San Francisco streetcar company. A mature voice in recognizing that sometimes it is also necessary to admit that "surrendering was as honorable as resisting, especially if there was no choice." A sincere voice because it does not hide the flaws of that adolescent naivety that leads to making mistakes. In any case, always a voice that does not remain silent. Because also (and especially) those who are confined behind a fence must make themselves heard. Because to resist is to live.

Maya Angelou, born Marguerite Annie Johnson in 1928, was an incredibly multi-talented African-American. She was not only a poet but also a singer, actress, writer, director, producer, composer, and a passionate civil rights activist. Her first book of the seven-part autobiography delves deep into her childhood and adolescence, up to the age of seventeen.

Angelou's childhood was far from peaceful. It began with her parents' divorce when she was just three years old. At that time, Marguerite and her beloved four-year-old brother Bailey were sent from their father's home in California to Stamps, Arkansas, to live with their paternal grandmother Annie Henderson.

Stamps was a southern town where segregation was extremely prevalent. Angelou noted that "In Stamps the segregation was so complete that most black children didn't really, absolutely know what whites looked like." Unfortunately, Marguerite's limited interactions with the racist white population left a lasting and often painful impression on her.

Marguerite and Bailey's grandmother, whom they called Momma, was an entrepreneur. She owned a plot of land and lived in her shop, called The Store, which sold food and candy to the Negro population of Stamps. Momma was strict, and the children were expected to balance school, homework, chores, and helping in The Store before they could go out to play or read their books. They were avid readers, and thanks to crippled Uncle Willie, who regularly tested them, they knew their multiplication tables by heart. Marguerite's favorite treats from the shop were foil-covered chocolate kisses and canned pineapple, which was a very rare indulgence.

Momma was also a devout Christian who prayed each morning and took the children to Church every Sunday. In addition, she periodically hosted Reverend Howard Thomas (Elder Thomas), who presided over the local church district. Elder Thomas visited Stamps every few months and ate and slept at Momma's house. However, Marguerite and Bailey disliked him because he was big, pompous, and prayed for so long over breakfast that the food became cold and congealed.

Marguerite became extremely anxious when she had to run errands in the white part of town because she was terrified of the whites, who disdained and mistreated Negroes. This disrespectful attitude even extended to white trash youngsters, who were rude and insolent when they bought snacks in Momma's Store. Once, when a few shabby, grime-covered little white girls made fun of Momma, Marguerite was reduced to tears.

Stamps was a dangerous place for black men, who were constantly at risk of being lynched. When a 'friendly sheriff' came to warn Momma that a group of white men was looking for a black troublemaker, Grandmother hid disabled Uncle Willie deep under the produce in a vegetable bin. Fortunately, the white men didn't come by, but Uncle Willie moaned loudly all night.

All this prejudice and hatred had a profound impact on young Marguerite, who sometimes fantasized that she was a pretty white girl with silky blonde hair. When Marguerite was eight, her father came to get her and Bailey and brought them to their mother Vivian in St. Louis, Missouri. Marguerite was initially reluctant to go but was charmed by her beautiful and vivacious 'Mother Dear' upon arrival. Unlike Momma, Vivian smoked, laughed, joked, danced, and threw parties.

However, tragedy struck when Marguerite was sexually abused by Vivian's boyfriend Mr. Freeman. He threatened her with dire consequences if she told anyone, so the terrified child remained silent. Vivian eventually found out, which led to an arrest, a trial, and extreme vigilante justice by Marguerite's uncles. After this traumatic experience, Marguerite and Bailey were sent back to Stamps, but Marguerite was so traumatized that she stopped speaking for several years. It was only through the efforts of a caring educator, Mrs. Bertha Flowers, that Marguerite began to talk again and perhaps developed an interest in a literary career.

Before leaving Stamps for good, Marguerite had another unpleasant encounter with a white person. Her habit of stealing candy bars from Momma's store led to severe tooth decay and an excruciating toothache. Since there was no black dentist in Stamps, Momma took her to a white dentist, Dr. Lincoln, who had borrowed money from Grandmother during the Depression. However, Dr. Lincoln refused to treat Marguerite, saying, "I'd rather stick my hand in a dog's mouth than in a n*****r's." Grandmother then shamed 10 dollars of "interest" out of the nasty man and took Marguerite to a Negro dentist in Texarkana.

A few years later, after Bailey was horrified by the sight of a bloated Negro body killed by whites, Momma decided that the children had to leave Stamps for good. She ensured that they got settled with their mother in San Francisco, where Vivian ran gambling clubs, associated with a wild crowd, and lived with her beau (and later husband) Daddy Clidell. Unlike Mr. Freeman, Daddy Clidell was a kind and decent man who treated Marguerite well.

Marguerite continued her education and, at 15 years old, became the first black conductress on the streetcars of San Francisco. To obtain the job, she had to claim to be 19 and lobbied hard for weeks, demonstrating the determination and courage that would serve her well throughout her life.

Afterwards, during a summer visit with her father Bailey Sr. and his girlfriend Dolores in southern California, Marguerite had a wild adventure in Mexico. After a night of heavy drinking and philandering, Bailey Sr. passed out, and Marguerite, who had never driven before, managed to load him into the back seat of their car and drive 50 miles down the mountain before having a minor accident. This incident was followed by a physical altercation with Dolores, who cut Marguerite badly. Marguerite then ran away and lived on the streets of southern California for a month, befriending other homeless kids and sleeping in junkyard cars. Eventually, she returned to San Francisco to continue her studies.

Meanwhile, Bailey Jr. began to act out, influenced by their mother's unconventional lifestyle and feeling jealous of her zoot-suited friends. He became surly, took up with an old prostitute, and tried to act like a big man, even though he was only 17. This behavior led to him being thrown out of the house, much to Marguerite's dismay.

Lack of proper sex education left Marguerite confused about her sexuality, and physical changes in her vagina made her think she might be 'becoming a lesbian.' To resolve this confusion, 16-year-old Marguerite seduced a handsome young neighbor boy and promptly became pregnant. Her mother Vivian, who was busy working and opening a club in Alaska, didn't notice until Marguerite was very far along in her pregnancy. When Vivian finally found out, she stepped up and became a caring and supportive grandma. The birth of Marguerite's son marks the end of the book.

The autobiography is filled with many additional scenes and characters, providing a rich and detailed portrait of the children's early years. Sadly, Marguerite and her brother were deeply affected by their parents' neglect and the blatant white bigotry they experienced, which had a lasting impact on Marguerite's life.

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I read this book for the Goodreads' book club Diversity in All Forms. It was truly an enlightening experience. If you would like to participate in the discussion, here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

This book, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", is the first autobiography of Maya Angelou. Maya lived with her grandmother in a small Southern town.

At a young age, she endured a plethora of tough and terrible experiences. She was brutally raped at eight years old by her mom's boyfriend and also had to deal with extreme discrimination. The way she described these events was so honest and raw, it really made me see the harsh realities of her life.

This book was an absolute eye-opener. It made me appreciate the power of words and the importance of sharing one's story. I look forward to reading a book by her every month for many more months to come. I know that each one will be a journey into a different aspect of her life and will teach me something new.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading about the human experience, especially those who want to understand the struggles and triumphs of people who have faced adversity. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge and empathy.