From BBC Radio 4:

When Maya returns from Ghana, the very first person she contacts is Malcolm X. She has a plan to spend some quality time with her mother and brother in San Francisco before commencing her work with Malcolm in New York. However, tragedy strikes when Malcolm is assassinated. Maya is completely devastated. To her shock, she witnesses the apathetic reaction of people to this tragic news. It is a moment that deeply affects her. The story is brought to life with the talented cast including Narrator, older Maya played by Adjoa Andoh, Maya by Pippa Bennett-Warner, Malcolm X by Don Gilet, Bailey by Samuel Anderson, and Mother by Ellen Thomas. It is dramatised by Patricia Cumper and produced and directed by Pauline Harris. For more information, you can visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000...

One of Maya Angelou’s remarkable autobiographical works, her words seem to have journeyed to heaven and back. This is truly such a beautiful piece of literature. Maya Angelou led an incredibly diverse and unusual life, and she chronicled it with an abundance of beauty and a hint of self-deprecation. In this volume, which delves into her life around the time of her fortieth birthday, she masterfully combines the personal with the political, the mundane with the celestial. It has the wonderful quality of being able to stand alone as a captivating read, or it can be seamlessly added to the other volumes of her autobiographical series. Despite its relatively few pages, it contains an astonishing amount of wisdom that is more than enough, on its own, to deeply inspire people.
Maya Angelou spent this period of her life in the company of (black) literary royalty and was actively involved in Black politics. Through her writing, she gives us a profound insight into what led to the Watts riots in LA or what Harlem was like on the day that MLK was killed.
If anyone reads this volume without prior knowledge of her poetry or essays, I earnestly hope it will serve as a gateway, leading them to discover more about this truly great woman.

4-4.5. Angelou's beautiful memoir offers a captivating look at her life from right after Malcolm X's death up to the passing of MLK. She has recently departed from Africa, which I believe was the setting of her previous two memoirs. Now, she is determined to forge a new life for herself. This is the point where we finally witness her writing emerging as a more significant element of the narrative. I found this memoir more engaging than many of the ones in between because it doesn't assume that the reader has perused the others. Instead, she provides a wonderful background that leads up to this particular stage of her life. It allows new readers to easily immerse themselves in her story and understand the context. Angelou's prose is as powerful as ever, painting a vivid picture of her experiences and emotions during this tumultuous time in history.

I’M FINALLY FREEDDDD!

This moment of freedom feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. After what seemed like an eternity of being held back, I can now spread my wings and soar.

The journey to this liberation has been filled with challenges and obstacles, but I refused to give up. I fought hard, persevered through the tough times, and now I am reaping the rewards.

Freedom means different things to different people. For me, it means having the ability to make my own choices, pursue my dreams, and live life on my own terms. It means being able to express myself freely without fear of judgment or restriction.

As I step into this new chapter of my life, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. I know that there will be more adventures and opportunities waiting for me, and I am ready to embrace them all.

Finally, I can say that I am truly free, and it feels amazing!

Like all of Ms. Angelou's memoirs, "And Still I Rise" (ASFUTH) is compulsively readable.

It is impossible not to cheer for her as she courageously navigates the perilous waters of the mid-20th century.

Ms. 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 all of the joys and sorrows, the triumphs and the tragedies.

The memoir is a powerful testament to the human spirit and its ability to overcome even the most difficult of circumstances.

It is a story of hope, resilience, and determination that will inspire readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Whether you are a fan of Ms. Angelou's work or are simply looking for an inspiring and thought-provoking read, ASFUTH is a must-read memoir that will leave a lasting impression.

In book six of her seven-volume autobiographical series, Ms. Angelou makes her way back to California from Ghana.

Here, we are taken on a journey through the assassination of her friend Malcolm X, experiencing not only the event itself but also the moments leading up to it and the aftermath. Then, we witness the Watts riots, with all their chaos and upheaval. And紧接着, the assassination of her friend MLK, Jr. occurs. “A man lived. A man loved. A man tried, and a man died. And that was not all there was to that. And it never was.”

We also gain an understanding of how she came to pen her magnum opus, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” It was due to the encouragement of her dear friend James Baldwin. His words and support inspired her to put her experiences and emotions onto paper, creating a work that would touch the hearts of countless readers around the world.

I just love her writing!!!

Her words have a magical charm that can effortlessly draw me into the world she creates.

Every sentence seems to be carefully crafted, carrying a depth of emotion and a unique perspective.

Whether it's a heartwarming story or a thought-provoking piece, her writing always manages to touch my soul.

The way she weaves together characters and plots is truly remarkable, making it impossible for me to put down her work.

I find myself completely immersed in her words, experiencing every moment as if it were my own.

Her writing is like a beautiful melody that lingers in my mind long after I've finished reading.

I can't wait to see what she comes up with next, as I know it will surely be another masterpiece.

*Listened to audiobook*

Narration by author.

Actual review: 3.5 stars

This was a nice, short, and interesting book. There were a few times when I did grow tired of it. However, then she would quickly say something that would make me laugh.

I’ll admit that I went into this not knowing what to expect. Even so, I still didn't quite get it at first. I felt that the book was leading somewhere but not quite getting there until the end. Then, I sort of saw the point.

That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the story. In fact, I enjoyed it very much.

But, I also thought that Maya brought a lot of her troubles on herself, especially when it came to guys. Also, she hates how guys objectified her, but she totally did the same to the guys.

I did love her friendship with Dolly.

Also, it was amazing how she was going to help both Malcolm and Dr Luther King Jr, but then they both died just weeks before she was able to make it to them to stand by them. It almost feels like too much of a story or coincidence to be true ;) Except that life is often that way.

Her story is interesting, but it lacks growth. Nevertheless, I still want to read more of her writing.

While I was listening to BBC radio, I happened to come across this book.

It was produced by BBC and consists of five parts. I was extremely curious to discover more about this book and, of course, about the author as well.

I was quite surprised to learn that she had written a large number of books, yet up to that moment, I had not heard a single thing about her.

I picked up the book and could only say, "Oh, I have to read this book."

I was not wrong. Everything I read in this book was truly fantastic.

Her entire life, starting from her journey to the USA, the development of her life as a woman, her struggle to become better, and her writing style which doesn't require a great deal of effort, yet this book is definitely worth the effort of reading in any situation.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone.

Everything she sets her pen to turns golden. She is the queen of literary autobiography, and she had an amazing life! She had a front row seat to history, and I can only hope that as she aged, she was able to sit back and wonder.

She chronicles in the piece her life from the time she left Ghana to when she penned 'I know why the caged bird sings.' This was a time that paralleled with the assassinations of Malcolm X and MLK. She allows her reader to get intimate with her mind, which, in turn, enables us to see this iconic figure as human yet driven by her talent and fears.

She is truly a remarkable woman. Her words have the power to inspire and touch the hearts of many. Her life story is a testament to the fact that with determination and talent, one can overcome any obstacle. We should all look up to her as a role model and strive to achieve our own dreams.

Overwhelmed.

This is a short and quick read, yet it is devastating in numerous ways. It is bookended by two assassinations, which gives it a sense of tragedy and loss. However, the book ends with her own beginning to write her own biography, which offers a glimmer of hope and new beginnings.

It is an even further irony that today would have been her 90th birthday, and it is, of course, the 50th year since King, her friend and one of her many inspirations, was killed. The fact that I managed to pick up this book on this very day makes it all the more poignant.

I am truly humbled by this experience. It makes me reflect on the power of words and the impact that a single book can have. It also makes me think about the importance of remembering those who have come before us and the legacies they have left behind. This book has touched me deeply, and I will carry its message with me for a long time to come.

Wonderful, heartbreaking, and uplifting - these are the words that come to mind when thinking about Maya's voice in this book.

Her words cut right to the core of what she means, allowing the reader to truly understand her thoughts and emotions.

Throughout the turmoil of the time period in which this book is set, Maya's voice shines through, painting a vivid picture of the events and experiences that she endured.

It is a voice that is both powerful and poignant, capable of making the reader feel a wide range of emotions.

Whether it is the joy of a new discovery or the pain of a lost love, Maya's voice brings these experiences to life in a way that is truly unforgettable.

Overall, her voice is one of the most compelling aspects of this book, drawing the reader in and keeping them engaged from beginning to end.