In the 1930s and beyond, the hardships of being a young African-American woman in America are laid out in all their nakedness from childhood. Maya Angelou expresses the countless problems she faced during her childhood and adolescence in a straightforward language without any embellishment. It's as if she pulls the pin of a bomb and places it in your lap, and how you will deal with the human shame brought by this terrible past now becomes your concern.

The most beautiful aspect of the book is the language used. She describes the horrible events in her life with uncompromising honesty. You are filled with hatred, but you still can't put the book down. Definitely get to know Maya Angelou's pains, her unwavering stance despite those pains, the values she upholds, and her unique way of expressing herself.

This work not only shows the difficulties and struggles of a particular group but also reveals the strength and resilience of the human spirit. It makes readers reflect on the past, understand the present, and look forward to a more just and equal future.

“What you looking at me for?
I didn’t come to stay…”



Maya Angelou's autobiography begins in a truly captivating way, much like a beautiful poem. Her descriptions of places are so vivid that one feels as if they are right there, sharing in her nostalgia. The food she writes about sounds so delicious that it makes your stomach growl.



The people in her life, especially her family, are brought to life with such vibrancy and individuality. It's as if Maya has composed a unique poem for each and every one of them. I couldn't help but be reminded of Charles Dickens' characters, yet these were real people that Maya knew. She has this amazing ability to make them seem larger than life, which I absolutely adored.



The range of emotions that Maya conveys throughout the book is truly powerful. It's almost as if you can feel her book more than simply read it. During the course of the story, I found myself growing to love Maya. She has a remarkable way of finding compassion and grace in almost everyone, even in the face of great adversity. Her childhood was filled with scary and cruel moments, but somehow she manages to find the humor in it all, telling stories that made me laugh out loud.



I would have loved to have the opportunity to sit and chat with Maya. She seems to be nonjudgmental, startlingly honest, and completely comfortable in her own skin. She has learned not to regret and always goes after what she wants. I find her to be truly inspiring.



However, with all its beauty, I did knock off a star. The book doesn't quite feel like a traditional story. It's more of a collection of Maya's childhood memories strung together. The ending lacks a proper climax, and while there are suspenseful moments, there isn't a continuous, driving suspenseful story to keep me hooked. I enjoyed reading the book when I was engaged, but I could also set it down easily. I admit that it's good for me to read a classic now and then, and there are many reasons why I would definitely recommend this book. Maya writes about a particular time, place, and the issue of racism with such quiet eloquence that it is simply moving.

Long live Maya!

This remarkable book presents yet another compelling reason for people to pen their stories. By putting them in writing, it offers comfort to others, assuring them that they are not alone in their experiences or the feelings associated with those experiences. Hope truly radiates from this book.

Although it is autobiographical, it focuses only on her youth. Nevertheless, it covers numerous fundamental themes of life and describes them frankly. I couldn't help but chuckle. Her Arkansan grandmother's description, in many aspects, could have been used to depict my Texan great-grandmother of the same era, even though she was white. She, too, took in all the children of parents who couldn't quite manage in those days, only to have them snatched back home periodically.

I will surely continue to seek more of her story within the body of her work.

5 stars. Without a doubt.

She understood the perversity of life. It was the kind of perversity that revealed that in the struggle lies the joy. Life is not always a smooth path. There are challenges and difficulties that one has to face. But it is precisely in these struggles that we find the true essence of joy. When we overcome an obstacle, when we achieve something that we have been striving for, that is when we experience a sense of fulfillment and happiness. It is like climbing a mountain. The journey may be tough and tiring, but when we reach the summit and look down at the beautiful view below, all the hardships seem worth it. She had come to realize this truth, and it had changed her perspective on life. She no longer feared the struggles, but rather welcomed them as opportunities to grow and find joy.

Angelou was truly a pleasure to read in the words of Eli Janoty. His translation was excellent!

The beauty and power of Angelou's work shone through in Janoty's translation, making it accessible and engaging for a wider audience.

Janoty's skill in capturing the essence of Angelou's writing is remarkable, and it is a testament to his talent as a translator.

Reading Angelou in Janoty's translation is like experiencing her work in a whole new light, and it is a joy that should not be missed.

Overall, the combination of Angelou's masterful writing and Janoty's superb translation makes for a truly unforgettable reading experience.

This is my third time reading this book.

I firmly believe that this is an extremely important book. Angelou vividly relates her experiences of growing up black in America. The book comprehensively covers the period from her birth to the age of 16.

Even though at certain times this book can be truly painful to read, such as when she was raped at age 8 and when she went to the white dentist, I still think it is of great significance to read it. If this were a novel, my stance would be different. I believe that one should simply ignore or not read fiction books that one doesn't enjoy. (For instance, I have a great admiration for Anna Karenina, but I in no way think that one HAS to read it.) However, I think that with this book, Angelou offers a rare and honest glimpse into what life was like in the 1930s and '40s for an African-American girl and teenager.

That being said, I truly enjoy reading her words. Angelou is a remarkable writer. Each chapter is like a captivating story. The book is not disjointed at all; rather, each chapter has a unique little story or theme that she elaborates on. I am never bored when reading her books (I have read almost all of them).

I was deeply saddened to hear that she passed away last month at the age of 86. But she lived a fulfilling and rich life. She undoubtedly made a significant mark on the world, and the world also left its印记 on her. May she rest in peace.

"Yo sé por qué canta el pájaro enjaulado" is the first of the seven autobiographical novels of Maya Angelou, and it is brilliant.

I'm not a big reader of non-fiction (something I've proposed to remedy this year and that I think I'm achieving). Unlike the previous autobiographical works I've read, in this one, the character/person of Maya Angelou crosses the pages in such a brutal way that it almost wouldn't matter what she was telling me as long as she kept doing it.

Since this is the first installment of her autobiographical series, it tells us about her childhood and part of her adolescence (up to the age of 18). And although there are undoubtedly spine-chilling parts, I would highlight that the genius of Angelou lies in always facing the world with intelligence, courage, and a great and brilliant sense of humor.

I would recommend the reading of this novel to everyone, especially as it is now. It offers a unique and powerful perspective on life, filled with both hardships and moments of hope and inspiration. Angelou's writing is so vivid and engaging that it draws the reader in and makes them feel as if they are right there with her, experiencing her life along with her.

Whether you are a fan of non-fiction or not, this novel is definitely worth a read. It will leave you with a deeper understanding of the human spirit and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Maya Angelou's memoir is an absolute masterpiece.

It is so vividly descriptive that it often feels as if one is reading a work of fiction. The story is beautifully written, with every word carefully chosen to bring her experiences to life.

This is a heartbreaking yet powerful coming of age story that takes the reader on an emotional journey. It is a tale of struggle, pain, and ultimately, triumph.

Angelou's resilience, poise, and grace in the face of adversity are truly inspiring. Her ability to overcome the many obstacles in her life and emerge stronger and more confident is a testament to the human spirit.

Reading this memoir is not only a pleasure but also a valuable learning experience. It teaches us about the importance of perseverance, self-belief, and the power of the written word to touch our hearts and souls.

I had the privilege of meeting Maya Angelou at a reading she gave decades ago. It was a truly memorable experience. Since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed delving into her funny and poignant autobiography.

Maya Angelou's life was a remarkable journey. She grew up in the Jim Crow south, specifically in Arkansas, where she faced the harsh realities of racial discrimination. Despite the challenges, she managed to find her voice and her strength.

Later, at the eve of World War II, she moved to San Francisco. This new environment opened up a world of possibilities for her. In her autobiography, she shares many interesting anecdotes about her life in both Arkansas and San Francisco.

Her descriptions of the places where she lived are vivid and detailed, allowing the reader to truly envision the settings. Through her words, we can feel the heat and humidity of the south, and the excitement and energy of San Francisco.

Maya Angelou's autobiography is not only a fascinating read, but it also provides valuable insights into the history and culture of the United States. It is a testament to her courage, resilience, and talent as a writer.

This is the peril of not knowing anything about a book. Maya Angelou's autobiography begins as a pleasant yet rather conventional memoir. However, suddenly, out of nowhere, blammo! An extremely traumatic event occurs with very little warning, and I was completely unprepared for it.

Which is likely just how her actual life was, except it wasn't a book, of course.

Anyway, if you haven't read this yet, you now know more than I did. Brace yourself.

Apart from the extreme trauma, this is an absolutely stunning book. What a remarkable writer Angelou is! She is incredibly perceptive, her writing is beautiful and incisive.

This book is truly something special. It's not just any ordinary piece of literature. It has the power to move you, to make you think, and to open your eyes to a world you may have never known existed.

So, if you're looking for a book that will leave a lasting impression, this is it. Don't be afraid to pick it up and embark on this journey with Maya Angelou.

**Title: A Review of [Product Name]**

I recently tried out [Product Name] and I have to say, it's a pretty good product overall.

The design is sleek and modern, which I really like. It's also very user-friendly, with intuitive controls that make it easy to operate.

In terms of performance, [Product Name] did not disappoint. It worked quickly and efficiently, getting the job done in a timely manner.

However, there were a few things that I didn't like about the product. For one, the price is a bit on the high side. I think there are other similar products on the market that are more affordable.

Additionally, the battery life could be improved. I found that I had to recharge it quite frequently, which was a bit inconvenient.

Overall, I would rate [Product Name] a 3.5 out of 5. It has its pros and cons, but if you're looking for a high-quality product that performs well, it's definitely worth considering.

Just be prepared to pay a bit more and deal with the shorter battery life.

The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges as 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 cannot deny the importance of this work, nor would I want to. It is, in many ways, a great work. I applaud Maya Angelou for her honesty and for the courage it must have taken, not only to write this book but also to have lived this life with her head held high.

However, it didn't quite work for me. I found the individual stories interesting and captivating. They were descriptive and stunning in their detail. But they were cut off abruptly. Instead of flowing seamlessly into each other, one following the next, it seemed forced and fragmented.

These stories shared the presence of Maya. But thematically (if one can say such a thing about moments from a person's life), they were disconnected. This made the book seem not like the story of her life but rather a collection of moments from her life. I wish I had read it like that – that it had been written with that in mind. I would have gotten so much more out of it. Instead, I kept waiting for her to return to observations, stories, or people from earlier in the book and expand on them, to let me know what happened next. But all these moments, while appearing in the order they happened, mostly stand alone and don't bleed into each other.

This might seem like a ridiculous complaint compared to the gravity of the work. But sadly, it kept me from fully immersing myself in the story.

Still, despite my dislike of its fragmented presentation, I am in awe of the stories she tells, the way she tells them, and the honesty she employs to reach the reader. Or perhaps not to reach the reader but out of respect for her own experiences and the experiences of people like her who went through the same thing. There's nothing to be ashamed of, she seems to say. Be proud of everything you are and everything that made you this way.

Her language is mesmerizing, and her stories are at times brutal but nevertheless filled with beauty, love, and human understanding. Maya Angelou is a remarkable woman, and this is a must-read for anyone.

I might not have liked the narrative structure of it, but I loved the words I read. And I'm grateful for having read it.

“Life is going to give you just what you put in it. Put your whole heart in everything you do, and pray, then you can wait.”