James Baldwin provides the best parts; the rest are scrappy and unsatisfying.

His contributions are truly remarkable, shining like bright stars in a rather lackluster constellation.

The self-depreciating humour that characterized the first books has unfortunately given way to a sense of smugness.

This shift is rather disappointing, as the earlier charm and authenticity seem to have been lost.

It's as if Baldwin has traded in his endearing self-awareness for an air of superiority.

However, despite this flaw, his work still holds some value.

The parts that he does well are so good that they almost make up for the shortcomings of the rest.

One can't help but wonder what could have been if the entire work had maintained the same level of quality and integrity as his best efforts.

Perhaps with further refinement and a return to his roots, Baldwin could once again produce truly outstanding literature.

Some of the words that came alive for me were:

"But my tongue was all I had, all I had ever had." This simple yet powerful statement emphasizes the significance of language and the voice. It implies that in certain situations, our ability to express ourselves verbally might be the only tool we possess.

"We put surviving into our poems and into our songs. We put it into our folk tales. We danced surviving in Congo Square in New Orleans and put it in our pots when we cooked pinto beans. We wore surviving on our backs when we clothed ourselves in the colors of the rainbow." Here, the author beautifully describes how the concept of survival is integrated into various aspects of life. It is not just a physical act but also a creative and cultural expression. Through art, music, dance, and even daily activities like cooking and dressing, people find ways to cope and persevere.

A skilled writer through and through. This final sentence serves as a testament to the author's talent. The ability to bring these words to life and make them resonate with the reader is a mark of great writing. It shows that the author has a deep understanding of the human experience and the power of language to convey emotions and ideas.

This woman was truly amazing.

Her memoirs are captivating and I find myself loving them deeply.

If you have only read "Caged Bird", I cannot stress enough how highly I recommend delving into more of her story.

Her life was filled with such fascinating experiences and events.

It's like opening a door to a whole new world when you read about her journey.

You'll be amazed at the challenges she overcame and the growth she achieved.

Her story is one that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

So don't hesitate, pick up her other works and continue to be inspired by this remarkable woman.

I read her first book last year and skipped to the last installment.

In this book, she vividly expressed and revealed her inner emotions when dealing with the assassinations of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.

She had come back from Ghana following Malcolm's invitation to create an African-American organization. However, just a few days after her arrival in the US, Malcolm was assassinated.

Her strong feminism and unwavering dedication towards her African heritage are truly admirable.

I love and highly appreciate her brilliant and amazing sense of literature. I have re-read some really powerful sentences over and over again just to fully savour their profound meaning.

For example, the sentence "Sister, change everything you don't like about your life. But when you come to a thing you can't change. then change the way you think about it. You'll see it new, and maybe a new way to change it."

This sentence really touched me and made me think deeply about how we should face the challenges and difficulties in our lives.

#1month1bookchallenge2018 #februarybook

DNF.

I had such high expectations for this book. I adored her recent work with a yellow cover that was dedicated to all the daughters. It was truly a remarkable piece. And her poem “Still I Rise” is an absolute masterpiece that always manages to inspire and empower. However, this particular book just didn't do it for me.

It seemed to be filled with an excessive amount of name dropping and descriptions of dinner parties. Instead of delving deep into meaningful themes and engaging storytelling, it felt more like a showcase of the author's social circle and glamorous lifestyle.

I was disappointed that the book didn't live up to the standards set by her previous works. I was hoping for something more profound and thought-provoking, but unfortunately, it fell short. Maybe it's just not my cup of tea, but I can't help but feel a sense of letdown.

Despite this, I will still continue to be a fan of her and look forward to her future works, hoping that she will return to the form that made me love her writing in the first place.

Heel interessant,

It is extremely interesting. The content is presented in a way that makes it very easy to read.

Ik vond het heel leerzaam om over deze tijd vanuit Afro-Amerikaans perspectief te lezen.

I found it to be very educational to read about this period from an African-American perspective. It provides a unique and valuable insight into a particular era and culture. By seeing things through this lens, one can gain a deeper understanding of the experiences, struggles, and achievements of the African-American community during that time. This not only enriches our knowledge but also broadens our perspective and helps us to appreciate the diversity of human history. Overall, it is a great read that I would highly recommend to others who are interested in learning more about different cultures and perspectives.

Yeah, I've completed Maya Angelou's autobiography series. It has truly been a captivating journey.

In some respects, it seems odd that she chooses to conclude her autobiography when she turns forty. What about the subsequent forty years?! However, this book concludes with her being requested to write her autobiography, so in a sense, it has come full circle.

The writing is of high quality, and the book is engaging. Nevertheless, I don't believe this is the finest of her works. It feels more like a compilation of anecdotes and experiences from her late thirties, after she had returned to the States from Africa.

There are several historical tragedies. At the beginning of the book, Malcolm X is assassinated; then, towards the end, when she agrees to undertake some work for Martin Luther King, he too is assassinated. During the book, she also resides in Los Angeles, during which time there are riots in Watts.

Her books undoubtedly document the movement for equality and the civil rights of black Americans. She has definitely led a fascinating life. Her mother makes an appearance again in this book - I adored her mother so much, so that was an added bonus as well =).

I had the great pleasure of listening to Ms. Angelou's lovely and distinctive voice in the narration of this audio book. Her first memoir, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," was dear to me for its remarkable honesty, warmth, humor, and sadness. This current book holds the position of my second-favorite among her seven memoirs, for the very same reasons.

In the late 1960s, Maya returned from her life in Africa, filled with excitement as she planned to work for Malcolm X. Sadly, however, historical events intervened and prevented this from coming to fruition. Maya openly shared her deeply personal feelings as she grappled with the loss of her friend. She moved several times, finally settling in Los Angeles, where she witnessed the Watts uprising. Later, she relocated back to New York and reconnected with her friends in the city. She was extremely close to James Baldwin (whom she affectionately called Jimmy), and he encouraged her to write her poems and consider prose writing. She also had the honor of spending time with Martin Luther King, Jr. when he was in New York, and he invited her to work with his organization. Tragically, once again, historical events thwarted this opportunity, and she had to endure the pain of losing another friend. When she was finally ready to face the world anew, she embarked on a new chapter of her life and turned to writing the story of her existence.

Through this book, I was able to vividly experience the unrest of the late 1960s and the heart-wrenching loss of Maya's two dear friends. She was truly an American treasure, having lived an extraordinary life.

There is one more book remaining in the series, and I am eager to begin reading it today.

Robert Loomis once said to Maya Angelou that it is nearly impossible to write an autobiography as literature.

However, Maya Angelou has clearly demonstrated that, while it might be a challenging task for the majority, it is indeed possible.

She possesses an extraordinary gift for writing and storytelling. Her words flow effortlessly, captivating the reader from the very first page.

Her autobiographical works are not only a reflection of her own life experiences but also a literary masterpiece.

Readers are drawn into her world, feeling every emotion and experiencing every moment along with her.

Maya Angelou's ability to transform her life into a work of art is truly remarkable and serves as an inspiration to aspiring writers everywhere.

She has shown that with talent, dedication, and a unique perspective, one can create an autobiography that is both engaging and literary.

Her works will continue to be cherished and studied for generations to come.

I listened to the audio book that I borrowed from the library. The moment I heard it, I was completely enchanted. This is because I have an intense love for Maya Angelou. Her reading of her work is simply captivating. It unfolds like an autobiography, or at least a significant part of one. In fact, I initially thought I might have been mistaken as I am well aware that her famous autobiography is "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings". However, this book is equally beautiful. The narrative flows marvelously, with a grace and elegance that is truly remarkable. Even though I only borrowed the audiobook from the library for now, I have already decided that I will be looking to add this wonderful book to my own personal library. It is a work that I know I will want to revisit and cherish time and time again.

It was truly astonishing to discover that she was acquainted with and was set to collaborate with both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. just prior to their tragic assassinations. Her accounts of the Watts Riots, her return to the US after residing in Ghana, and her African lover were equally captivating. The part about Dolly, his other lover, added a touch of humor. Additionally, her friendship with James Baldwin and the genesis of writing "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" were fascinating aspects. The audiobook, read by her, brought these stories to life in a unique and engaging way. It allowed the listener to truly immerse themselves in her experiences and perspectives. Through her words, we gain a deeper understanding of a tumultuous era in American history and the remarkable individuals who shaped it.

This is the sixth volume in Maya Angelou's seven-part autobiography.

Unlike her previous volumes, this one is less captivating. It seems more like a mere listing of events and people she met, rather than a profound analysis of emotions and learnings.

It is less inspiring compared to the previous volumes.

I was anticipating more in-depth analysis on the civil rights movement, which was in full swing during this period. While there is some mention of it, it is not sufficient.

Maya Angelou's autobiographies are usually known for their powerful and moving accounts, but this volume falls a bit short in that regard.

Perhaps she was more focused on presenting the facts rather than delving deep into the emotions and significance of the events.

Nevertheless, it still provides some valuable insights into her life and the times she lived in.

Overall, it is a decent read, but not as engaging as her earlier works.