This was a “heavy” book, and I found myself unable to continue reading it for a prolonged duration at any one point.

However, I’m definitely glad to have read it.

Maya talks about her days living in Ghana. As a Black American, she seeks to rediscover her roots and racial identity.

This was the homeland that she (or someone like her, or someone definitely related to her) was once taken by force.

Though her only known home until then was America, she didn’t completely belong there still.

So, centuries later, in a radically different situation, would she finally feel at home in Ghana? Would she finally “belong”? The answer may not be as simple.

A beautiful memoir of self-discovery, rich anecdotal accounts (both heartwarming and haunting), and a strong reminder of the inequality that continues to persist in the world.

And yet, it shows how people become resilient and even accepting of it, to survive.

Favourite quotes:

“Tragedy, no matter how sad, becomes boring to those not caught in its addictive caress.”

“Our need for belonging allowed us to ignore the obvious and to create real places or even illusory places, befitting our imaginations.”

“If you want to know how important you are to the world, stick your finger in a pond and pull it out. Will the hole remain?”

“Don’t be in such a hurry to condemn a person because he doesn’t do what you do, or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn’t know what you know now.”

+More

This book should be read by everyone.

While living in Ghana, Maya Angelou delves deep into the profound examination of what it means to be black in America as opposed to what it means to be black in Africa.

She also elaborates on the fact that Black Americans have ancestors hailing from Africa, yet the issue of slavery and the associated guilt prevent Africans from wholeheartedly embracing Black Americans and granting them what they truly desire, which is to be welcomed home.

"We had come home, and if home was not what we had expected, never mind. Our need for belonging allowed us to ignore the obvious and to create real places or even illusory places, befitting our imagination. Since we were descendants of African slaves torn from the land, we reasoned we wouldn't have to earn the right to return, yet we wouldn't be so arrogant as to take anything for granted. We would work and produce, then snuggle down into Africa as a baby nuzzles in a mother's arms. And now, less than one hundred years after slavery was abolished, some descendants of those early slaves taken from Africa returned, weighted with a heavy hope, to a continent which they could not remember, to a home which had shamefully little memory of them. Which one of us could know that years of bondage, brutalities, the mixture of other bloods, customs and languages had transformed us into an unrecognizable tribe? Of course, we knew that we were mostly unwanted in the land of our birth and saw promise on our ancestral continent."

"I drank and admitted to a boundless envy of those who remained on the continent, out of fortune or perfidy. Their countries had been exploited and their cultures had been discredited by colonialism. Nonetheless, they could reflect through their priests and chiefs on centuries of continuity. The lowliest could call the name of ancestors who lived centuries earlier. The land upon which they lived had been in their people's possession beyond remembered time. Despite political bondage and economic exploitation, they had retained an ineradicable innocence."

"I doubted if I, or any Black from the diaspora, could really return to Africa. We wore skeletons of old despair like necklaces, heralding our arrival, and we were branded with cynicism. In America we danced, laughed, procreated; we became lawyers, judges, legislators, teachers, doctors, and preachers, but as always under our glorious costumes we carried the badge of a barbarous history sewn to our dark skins."

"Europe had ruled long, had brought to Africa a language, a religion, modern ideas of medicine, and its own pervading self-love. How could one suggest in one's own secret heart that Whites were not gods, descending from heaven, and like gods, bringing bounty on one hand and brutality on the other? That was the way of the gods."

"Prejudice is a burden which confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible."

This is an exquisitely written memoir that vividly chronicles Angelou's sojourn in Ghana. The narration is simply beautiful, captivating the reader from the very first page. The descriptions of the people, with their diverse personalities and cultures, are brought to life in the most enchanting way. The places she visits, from the bustling markets to the serene landscapes, are painted with such vivid colors that one can almost envision oneself there. The anecdotes she shares add an extra layer of charm and authenticity to the story.

Angelou is deeply introspective in certain aspects of the book, offering valuable insights and lessons. This provides the reader, especially those like me who are not of black descent, with a rare opportunity to learn from her experiences and gain a better understanding of different cultures and perspectives. This book is not only important and unique but also a sheer delight to read. It is a literary gem that should not be missed. I highly recommend it to anyone who has a passion for reading and a thirst for knowledge.

In this story, not a great deal occurs. Maya resides in Ghana and holds a job. She encounters various people, yet she feels a sense of discontent.

Perhaps it pertains to living in a place where one doesn't feel a sense of belonging. It's true that she writes beautifully, but this piece seemed more like it could have been a chapter within an autobiography rather than warranting its own standalone book.

There are many aspects of Maya's life that remain unexplored. We don't know much about her job, the nature of the people she meets, or the specific reasons for her discontent.

It would have been interesting to delve deeper into these areas and gain a more comprehensive understanding of her experiences and emotions.

Overall, while the writing is of a high quality, the story itself feels somewhat lacking in substance and depth.

I read this book in Ghana - the site of the majority of the story. Maya Angelou is truly amazing. As I read, I could almost smell, feel, and vividly visualize everything she spoke about. It didn't hurt that I was on the Legon University campus when I began this journey.

Angelou accurately portrays the African-American experience when we make that journey of discovery to Mama Africa. She vividly describes that intense desire to fall down and kiss the earth - the earth that is OURS - that our ancestors and the very cells within our bone's marrow yearn for. Along the way, she encounters figures like Malcolm X and Kwame Nkrumah. She also has her share of drama with her son. Most importantly though, she discovers herself and realizes her own unique journey.

This book is incredibly powerful. People are simply "straight up tripping" if they don't give it 5 stars. Read it, imagining that you are on her journey. If you haven't been to Africa yet, or lived through the fervent 1960's - allow her to take you there. I promise you won't be disappointed. It's a literary masterpiece that will touch your heart and open your eyes to a world of experiences and emotions.

In book five of her autobiographical series, Maya Angelou transports us to Africa. She resides in Ghana for three years.

Through her perceptive eyes, we encounter a prosperous land that is virtually devoid of White people. It is a place that any discriminatory individual would view as an oxymoron.

Alongside Miss Angelou, we discover some of the disparities between Africans and African-Americans and how centuries of slavery have altered the African DNA in America.

We bear witness to Malcom X's initial foray into Africa and his awkward and accidental encounter with Mohammad Ali. The encounter is awkward because Malcom X is distancing himself from the Nation of Islam at this juncture, thereby creating numerous more adversaries for himself.

The book concludes with Miss Angelou's return to America. I am eagerly anticipating reading the next installment: “A Song Flung Up to Heaven”!

Wow!

What an absolute eye-opener this has been.

The entire experience was truly fascinating, captivating my attention from start to finish.

It was not only inspiring but also beautifully wrought, with every detail carefully crafted and thought out.

The way it presented new ideas and perspectives made me see things in a whole new light.

I was completely immersed in it, and it left a lasting impression on me.

It's rare to come across something that is so engaging and thought-provoking at the same time.

This has definitely been a highlight, and I can't wait to explore more like it in the future.

Overall, it was an amazing and unforgettable encounter that I will cherish for a long time.

The last few chapters of the book had such an overwhelming air of melancholy that it was incredibly difficult to bring it to an end.

It was as if Maya Angelou had cast a spell over me with her powerful and poignant words.

Her writing has this unique ability to touch the deepest recesses of one's soul and evoke a plethora of emotions.

With each page turn, I found myself becoming more and more immersed in the story, feeling the pain and sorrow that the characters were experiencing.

Maya Angelou's talent as a writer is truly remarkable, and she has once again managed to wreck me with her beautiful and heart-wrenching prose.

I will forever be in awe of her work and the impact it has had on me.

This is the last of Maya Angelou's memoirs that I currently possess. I'm excited to have completed my collection, but I'm well aware that I'll have to continue my exploration.

Maya Angelou's life is truly captivating. I was in a discussion with my mother about this series of memoirs. She wondered how there could be so many and was astonished to learn about the numerous aspects of Angelou's life beyond being a great poet and writer.

This book chronicles Maya Angelou's temporary move to Ghana. We learn about her initial struggles in connecting with the Ghanians and her close friendships with fellow African Americans living abroad. There's also more about her performing experiences (she performed with James Earl Jones and Cicely Tyson) and her political engagement (Malcolm X makes an appearance). Her son becomes more independent in this installment, surely paving the way for a radically new chapter in the next one.

This is a short and interesting read that offers wonderful insights into the life of an extraordinary writer. I have no complaints.

"Prejudice is a burden which confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible."

For my second independent reading book, I made the decision to read "All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes" by Maya Angelou.

This remarkable book is the fifth installment out of seven in Maya Angelou's autobiography. Published in 1986, it stands out with its beautiful writing, distinct from many of the author's other works.

After delving into this book, I would毫不犹豫地 award it five stars. Its pacing is excellent, neither too fast nor too slow, maintaining a consistent and understandable rhythm throughout. The imagery is vivid, pulling readers into the story and making them feel as if they are right there with Maya and her son, Guy.

The end lesson is also profound, teaching us about the importance of perseverance, self-discovery, and the power of love.

The story takes place in Ghana, Africa, where Maya and Guy migrate in search of academic and career opportunities. They quickly fall in love with the culture and the sense of belonging that comes with having the same skin tone as those around them.

However, their idyllic life is suddenly shattered when Guy is involved in a traumatic car accident. In critical condition, he spends a significant amount of time in the hospital, leaving Maya alone in Ghana. This forces her to give her son some freedom and find her own path.

One of the things I loved about this book was the countless messages and life lessons it contained. "You do your best until you know better, then you do better." This quote really stuck with me, reminding me that we should always strive to improve ourselves and do better in life.

Another aspect that made this book so enjoyable was the imagery. As a poet, Maya Angelou has a remarkable ability to paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind. "For me, sleeping was difficult that night. My bed was lumpy with anger and my pillow a rock of intemperate umbrage." This description really made me feel the character's emotions and understand her pain.

I would highly recommend this book to young adults and up. It is both relatable and educational, offering valuable insights into life, love, and self-discovery. I have learned so much from this book and can't wait to read Maya Angelou's other six autobiographies.

Long before, I had been forcefully taken from Africa. The second departure would be less agonizing, as I then knew that my people never truly left Africa. We had sung of the continent in our blues, cried out in our gospels, and danced it in our breakdowns. Africa strutted around in our rounded calves, wiggled in our protruding butts, and crackled in our wide and frank laughter.

I relished reading this memoir/moment in Maya Angelou's life. Her writing was so honest, engaging, and vivid that it felt as if I was right there in Ghana with her. Themes of identity, belonging, motherhood, and what it means to be home pervaded the book. "If the heart of Africa remained elusive, my search for it had brought me closer to understanding myself and others. The longing for home dwells within us all, the safe haven where we can be ourselves without question. I had not consciously come to Ghana to find the roots of my beginnings, but I had continuously and accidentally stumbled upon them in my daily life."

AGCNTS is an intimate account of her time in Africa (Ghana and Liberia) during the 1960s. Inspired by the promise of pan-Africanism under Kwame Nkrumah's leadership, Maya Angelou, her son Guy, and several other Black activists formed a community, "Revolutionist Returnees," to explore, understand, and assist, hoping to be welcomed as returning sons and daughters. Feeling that this was a homeland that resisted becoming "home," she detailed this tension with honesty, sharing her frustrations, insecurities, and emotions throughout. She gave us an inside look at Malcolm X during his time there and recounted the death of W.E.B. Dubois. "Du Bois was ninety-six and frail, but we wanted him to live forever. He had no right to desire death. We argued that great men and women should be forced to live as long as possible." Maya Angelou was indeed one of the greats, and the same can now be said of her.

Highly recommended!

What a great joy it is to read about the lives of Black American expats during a crucial period in American and global history.

Maya Angelou vividly catalogs her time in Ghana with incredibly useful insights. In many respects, I can deeply relate to many of her feelings as a Black American in Africa.

Her account was also a great inspiration, making me dream of living there myself for a certain period one day.

Most fascinating of all was the visit of Malcolm X to Ghana and getting to see him and his larger-than-life personality through Maya's perspective.

This has truly piqued my excitement to read her other autobiographical books and further explore her remarkable life journey.

It is through such works that we can gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and emotions of those who have walked different paths, and it enriches our own perspectives on life and history.

I look forward to delving into more of Maya Angelou's literary treasures and being enlightened by her words.