When you choose to abandon the hustle and bustle of the world around you and immerse yourself in reading, truly living within the pages of a piece of writing, you become acutely aware that you are in the presence of a legend's profound suffering and remarkable vision. As I make a mental note to continue reading all of Angelou's work, there is a particular quote that will surely stick with me.

"Rise and be prepared to move on and ever on (Angelou, 2002, p. 210)." This simple yet powerful statement encapsulates the essence of Angelou's spirit. It encourages us to not only overcome the obstacles and hardships that come our way but to always be ready to keep moving forward,不断追求更高的目标和更美好的未来. Angelou's words have the ability to inspire and motivate us, even in the face of the most difficult circumstances.

Her work serves as a reminder that we all have the strength within us to rise above our challenges and create a life filled with purpose and meaning.

The final volume of Maya Angelou's extraordinary autobiography is a captivating account.

It details her poignant move back to America from Ghana and her reentry into the civil rights movement. She seems to be in a state of restlessness, living in several cities, experimenting with various jobs, reconnecting with old friends and former lovers, forging new connections, and grappling with her son's maturation process.

The heart of the book lies in the shock and horror she feels at the murders of Malcom X and Martin Luther King.

As she writes, "Death of a beloved flattens and dulls everything. Mountains and skyscrapers and grand ideas are brought down to eye level or below. Great loves and large hates no longer cast such huge shadows or span so broad a distance. Connections do not adhere so closely, and important events lose some of their glow."

Everywhere she turns, life seems to be repeating itself. The photograph of Coretta Scott King, veiled and standing with her children, reminds her of the picture of Jacqueline Kennedy with her children. Both women are under the intense gaze of the world, yet each stands as if in a dimension all their own, with their children and memories.

On the radio and in the newspapers, Martin King's name is repeatedly linked with that of Malcolm X, as if their lives and deaths are intertwined and confirm each other.

Angelou's six-volume autobiography is not only a fascinating historical record of American racial politics but also a vivid portrait of an amazing woman's life. Her unique and vivid literary voice makes it a compelling and profound read.

A Song Flung Up to Heaven is the final and smallest installment in Maya Angelou's remarkable autobiography series. When considering the extensive time period these books encompass, it becomes evident that blatant and offensive racism persisted until relatively recently, dominating a significant portion of the 20th century. Although slavery was abolished in the United States in 1865, its lingering effects endured for over 100 years, leaving an indelible stain on American history. This frustrating and sad reality makes one ashamed to be part of a world so marred by such injustice.

Maya's works will endure as powerful testaments to the harsh reality of racism. They resonate with anyone who has been deprived of basic human rights, not just those who unfortunately experience discrimination based on skin color. Maya was a truly talented writer, able to blend bitter circumstances with a lively sense of humor and poetic prose. Her autobiographies are not your typical chronicles; they have a distinct plot, a profound message, and valuable lessons to impart. I wholeheartedly recommend reading the entire series, regardless of your background. You are certain to find enjoyment and gain profound insights into life (an understatement, to be sure). In short, it's a win-win situation.

A Song Flung Up to Heaven is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the impact of racism and the power of the human spirit.

  Maya Angelou's Autobiographies:

1) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

2) Gather Together in My Name.

3) Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas.

4) The Heart of a Woman.

5) All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes.

6) A Song Flung Up to Heaven.

I have been immersing myself in a vast collection of Maya Angelou's books, and this particular one stands out as one of my absolute favorites. I am truly enamored with her voice. It exudes a remarkable calming effect on me, which is extremely valuable and clutch whenever it is deployed. This book is not only a literary gem but also extremely timely. Her in-depth discussion about the Watts riots could effortlessly be applied to the events that have transpired all over the country in the past year. As a die-hard James Baldwin fan, I derived great pleasure from listening to her share anecdotes about their friendship. It was truly a delight to listen to. Without a doubt, this audiobook is a favorite in its category. It has the power to transport the listener to another time and place, while also providing profound insights into the human condition. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a thought-provoking and engaging listening experience.

It’s Maya Angelou! I truly desired to love this book, just as I have adored most of her remarkable works. However, I simply couldn't.

It is a rather slight volume, consisting of approximately 125 pages, and it seems to be mostly one extensive name-drop. All the celebrities who loved her, supported her, hung out with her, and made things fall effortlessly into her lap are mentioned.

Malcom X had a great affection for her and wanted her to be a part of the African Unity organization he was establishing. She was on the verge of doing so when he was tragically killed. James Baldwin was her close friend. Frances Williams provided her with an LA apartment and a job when she arrived in town. She was given a role in a live theater production due to the people she knew. Seymour Lazan, a Hollywood lawyer, offered her free advice and a “nearly new” car. Jerry Purcell, the owner of a supper club, assisted her with contacts and provided her with monthly cash. She obtained a new apartment, and various people showered her with lots of fancy furniture and art for it. She hosted an open house party, and fifty people attended, including numerous celebrities, all of whom were listed out.

She attended a Carnegie Hall event where MLK was speaking and was introduced to him. He immediately asked her to join his Poor People’s Campaign. She was making preparations to do so when he was assassinated. (Could she be some kind of jinx?) To help her overcome her grief, she went to a party with Jules Feiffer and his wife. Her good friend Enrico Banducci, the owner of the Hungry I in San Francisco, arranged for her to meet a couple of radio producers who wanted her to create a radio series on African American culture. While she was working on that, Robert Loomis of Random House kept calling her and pleading with her to write an autobiography.

If this were the only work of hers that you ever read, you might think that Angelou had a charmed life where everything was handed to her on a silver platter. And although I deeply want to admire her as a Black woman who has risen above all the oppression and negative messages, as a white woman brought up not to brag or boast, I find Angelou’s constant references to how good she looks, how all the men around her desire her, how she can sing (professionally), dance (professionally), act, write, and be a political organizer somewhat excessive. And all the celebrity-related content really does seem like blatant name-dropping. You don't really get a sense of what “Jimmy” Baldwin was truly like, other than that he loved Maya (not sexually, as Baldwin was gay) and would do anything for her.

Nevertheless, there are still reasons to read this book. There is a great deal of valuable information about how the oppression of African Americans is manifested in daily life. After all, it is Maya Angelou. She is incapable of writing a truly bad book. But she has undoubtedly written much better works in the past.

I began my journey with Maya Angelou's literary works by picking up the first book of her autobiography, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." I completed that remarkable book over a year ago, specifically in September 2019. Since then, I have skipped over the four intervening books and have now opened up this sixth volume, "A Song Flung Up to Heaven." My intention is to make my way back through those other four books in the near future.

I have a deep appreciation for the writing of Maya Angelou as she masterfully weaves her life story. This particular volume commences with Maya's return from Africa as she endeavors to collaborate with Malcolm X and投身于 the civil rights movement. The pages of this book are filled with tragedy and sadness as she grapples with finding her place amidst the chaos of racial tensions that prevailed in the United States. From the events surrounding Malcolm X to the riots in Watts and the influence of Martin Luther King Jr., the country was in a state of upheaval.

This book, which was originally published in 2002, resounds with relevant history. The audiobook, read by the author herself, enhances the richness and emotion of the text. It is truly a captivating read that offers valuable insights into a significant period of American history.

I truly love the way in which the sixth volume of Maya Angelou's autobiography concluded. It came full circle, neatly tying back to how she initially embarked on writing her very first autobiography, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." This book holds a special place in my heart and in the literary world.

To be completely honest, I am rather sad to see this remarkable series come to an end. Each volume was not only engaging, drawing me in from the very first page, but also highly educational. I learned so much about Maya Angelou's life, the times she lived in, and the challenges she overcame.

Moreover, the books were thoroughly entertaining. Maya Angelou's writing style is so vivid and captivating that it made me feel as if I was right there with her, experiencing every moment. I will truly miss this series and the wonderful journey it took me on. <3

I am completely devastated that this was the final installment of her autobiographies. It truly feels as if she has evolved into an old and dear friend, brimming with wisdom and unwavering hard truths.

This remarkable novel delved into her return to the USA following four years spent in Ghana and Egypt. The assassinations of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr occurred each time shortly before she was scheduled to join them for work. It was truly captivating to witness her interactions with James Baldwin, yet another amazing author. Moreover, it was fascinating to see how seamlessly this book intertwined with her very first one.

Her writing style is so engaging that it draws the reader in and makes them feel as if they are right there with her, experiencing every moment. The way she weaves together her personal experiences with the historical events of the time is nothing short of masterful.

I will truly miss reading about her life and adventures, but I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to follow her journey through these autobiographies.

It is truly a very sad moment to have completed the final book in her series of autobiographies. :( The journey through her life, as chronicled in these volumes, has been both captivating and moving. Each page has been filled with her experiences, her joys, her sorrows, and her growth. As we turn the last page, we feel a sense of loss, as if we are saying goodbye to a dear friend. We have become so invested in her story that it is hard to imagine that it has come to an end. However, we are also grateful for the opportunity to have shared in her life and to have learned from her experiences. The series of autobiographies will surely remain a cherished work, a testament to her life and her spirit.

Sister, it is essential to change everything that you don't like about your life. However, when you encounter something that you can't change, then it is time to change the way you think about it. You will see it in a new light, and perhaps discover a new way to approach it.

"Every black woman in this country has her head in a lion's mouth." This powerful statement highlights the challenges and difficulties that black women face.

"Believe people when they tell you who they are. They know themselves better than you." It is important to listen and respect what others have to say about themselves.

"We put surviving into our poems and into our songs. We put it onto our folk tales. We danced surviving in Congo Square in New Orleans and put it into our pots when we cooked our pinto beans. We were surviving on our backs when we clothed ourselves in the colors of the rainbow. We were pulled down so low we could hardly lift our eyes, so we knew, if we wanted to survive, we had better lift our own spirits. So we laughed whenever we got the chance." (James Baldwin) This passage beautifully describes the resilience and strength of the human spirit.

It was interesting to read about Angelou's relationships with Malcolm X, James Baldwin, and Martin Luther King Jr. There were some wonderful insights in the writing, but there were also other sections that didn't hold my interest as much as some of her other works. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and "Letter to My Daughter" are still my favorites. Overall, I would rate this book 3.5 stars.

“A Song Flung Up to Heaven” is a remarkable work that delves deep into a significant period of Maya Angelou's life. She returns from Africa with the intention of assisting Malcolm X in his “Organization of African American Unity.” However, fate has a cruel twist as Malcolm X is assassinated before they can even meet. The book not only explores this tragic event but also delves into her friendship with James Baldwin. It also vividly描绘s the Watts riots, which were a significant moment in American history. Finally, the narrative leads up to the heart-wrenching moment when Martin Luther King Jr is shot.

Maya Angelou's writing is truly a thing of beauty. Every word she pen is filled with emotion, depth, and a unique perspective that allows the reader to truly understand and experience the events she describes. Her ability to bring history to life and make it relevant and engaging is truly remarkable. “A Song Flung Up to Heaven” is a must-read for anyone interested in African American history, civil rights, or simply great literature.

I read this book right after I finished All God's Children Need Travelling Shoes.

Maya Angelou's writing is truly addictive. Once I start reading her works, I just can't seem to get enough.

The pages of her books are filled with valuable lessons and deeply impactful stories that stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Her words have the power to touch your heart, open your mind, and make you see the world in a whole new light.

It's like she takes you on a journey through her life and experiences, sharing her joys, sorrows, and everything in between.

Reading Maya Angelou's books is not just an entertainment, but a transformative experience that enriches your soul.

I can't wait to explore more of her works and continue to be inspired by her beautiful writing.