Throughout the ages of despair and dislocation, we have been creative. We have defied death by having the courage to hope. Prejudice is a heavy burden that muddles the past, menaces the future, and makes the present unapproachable. I discovered All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes to be a charming and thought-provoking tale about Maya Angelou's life in Ghana during the early 1960s. I marked numerous passages on my Kindle, as there is some truly remarkable food for thought interwoven throughout the text. The themes of finding home and finding oneself are prevalent from beginning to end. Angelou elaborates so comprehensively on why so many African Americans in the late 1950s and early 1960s yearned to journey back to and reside in Africa, as several African countries were emerging from centuries of colonialism. I have a plethora of thoughts churning in my mind regarding this book. I relished it and was touched by it, yet I feel as though I require the assistance of a discussion group to fully process and fathom my thoughts about it. I firmly believe that this is a crucial book to read in 2020. There is a reason why many African Americans desired to flee America for newly independent African nations at the mid-century, and the reasons why Angelou and her contemporaries moved to Africa have not vanished from our society today. African American intellectuals may not be escaping to Africa nowadays, but the systems that compelled them to leave sixty years ago still persist. And that is something that I think any current U.S. citizen who is actively striving to become an anti-racist must deeply contemplate.

Hard to put down.

My first encounter with Angelou's work, and it's certain that it won't be my last. The fact that she is an outstanding writer is no news to those who pick up her books. However, I wasn't ready for how honest and self-reflective she would be. Through her words, you catch a glimpse of the remarkable person she was. Despite openly writing about her own immaturity (a paradox that we often struggle to accept?), you can see that her remarkable nature wasn't just a matter of chance. She could have easily been forgotten by history if she hadn't fought the battles she did, month after month, year after year.

Witnessing her journey as a black American in Ghana was both informative and often left a heavy feeling in my stomach. But it's her journey as a whole human being (not just a mother, a woman, or an intellectual, but all the aspects that make up a complex individual) that really grabs you. You get a real, almost tangible sense of her during this time. Suffering might be one of the true universal constants, and her responses to it ranged from anger to joy, and in a very instructive way.

Truly, truly, her work is stunning and uplifting. Maya Angelou was an incredible human being, but she became so through a combination of determination and a great deal of self-reflection. It didn't just happen overnight. She speaks of her pride, but what really spoke to me was her beautiful and rare humility in accepting her mistakes. And she wasn't afraid to hold onto conscious paradoxes, which is something I always appreciate in Western writers and thinkers. The lasting impression is that she was a tenacious person. What we could all do with just a little bit of that tenacity!

This is the fifth book in her seven-volume autobiography series.

She vividly describes her time in Ghana, where several African-Americans were residing.

It is truly fascinating to read about their endeavors to reconnect with their homeland and how they simultaneously yearned for the US. She pens about not fully being accepted or feeling entirely integrated in Ghana, while the US wasn't a perfect haven for them either. One of their friends would receive a food parcel from the US, and they would all gather to share it, reminiscing about their homeland.

Her son遭遇了一场严重的事故, and they had to stay in Ghana for a while. A young boy came to live with them as their "small boy," running errands. He also attended school and lived with them. He was from a prosperous family, and his entire family came to express their gratitude with gifts. They made it clear that they weren't repaying her. Their speech was deeply moving: "We want you to know that Kojo did not come from the ground like grass. He has risen like the banyan tree. He has roots. And we, his roots, thank you" (page 74). They arrived with a lorry filled with the produce of their farms as a token of their appreciation.

During this time, her son Guy also asserted his independence in a beautiful manner. He picked up his mother from the airport upon her return from a trip. He brought her a gift, cooked a delicious meal to welcome her, knowing she disliked airline food. After expressing his gratitude for all she had done for him, he told her that she had done an excellent job as a parent and then said, "Now, I am a man. Your life is your own, and mine belongs to me. I am not rejecting you, I'm just explaining our relationship has changed…" (page 186). At the end of his speech, he hugged her and left, saying he had his own dinner plans. I truly admired the way her son handled this situation, expressing his love while setting boundaries and asserting his independence.

The fifth of Maya Angelou's biographies, and - excluding "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" - probably my absolute favourite.

In this remarkable book, her writing has reached a new level of maturity, wit, perceptiveness, and boldness that simply blew me away.

The exploration of belonging and home is so deeply intimate and, at times, spine-chilling. The scenes set in 60s Ghana are incredibly rich, vividly painting a picture of that era. The energy of the Nkrumah years feels almost palpable, as if you can step right into that time and place.

Moreover, the depictions of motherhood are tender and heartwarming. It serves as an important reminder that whenever life is getting you down, you should give yourself the precious gift of Maya Angelou's writing. Her words have the power to uplift, inspire, and provide a source of comfort and wisdom.

Overall, this biography is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature and wants to gain a deeper understanding of the human experience.

Maya Angelou is a remarkable figure who delves deeply into her personal experiences in her works.

She shares not only the joys and sorrows of her own life but also offers incredibly encouraging advice that has the power to inspire and uplift readers.

Her words have a profound impact, as they resonate with the human spirit and touch the hearts of those who encounter them.

Reading her works is like embarking on a journey of self-discovery and growth.

It is impossible not to be moved by her honesty and authenticity.

She has a unique way of making the reader feel understood and validated.

I absolutely loved her works and the way she was able to connect with her audience on such a deep level.

Her personal experiences and encouraging advice serve as a source of strength and inspiration for all who read them.

She will always be remembered as a great writer and a source of hope.

I perhaps shouldn't take on reading Maya Angelou's autobiographies out of order. I have previously only read "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", #1 in her saga. But I still enjoyed this book plenty.

It was particularly interesting as an examination of Black American ex-pats living in Africa in the 1960s. I'm learning a lot right now about efforts by both white segregationists and Black African nationalists to "re-colonize" African Americans back to Africa as early as pre-Civil War and continuing even to the present day. So it was interesting to see how in the height of the Civil Rights Movement in the '60s, a lot of people we would consider leaders in that movement or at least in advancing the interests of Black Americans chose to spend their time in Africa.

They found community with other ex-pats but it was interesting to see Angelou reflect on how they weren't really "home" and how Africa did not just welcome them back with open arms. Angelou, with her beautiful way with language, shares how she both felt a part of, and apart from, the African people surrounding her.

“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, benefitting our imagination.”

“Many years earlier I, or rather someone very like me and certainly related to me, had been taken from Africa by force. This second leave-taking would not be so onerous, for now I knew my people had never completely left Africa. We had sung it in our blues, shouted it in our gospel and danced the continent in our breakdowns. As we carried it to Philadelphia, Boston and Birmingham we had changed its color, modified its rhythms, yet it was Africa which rode in the bulges of our high calves, shook in our protruding behinds and cackled in our wide open laughter.”

This book is truly captivating and will surely keep your attention from start to finish.

It is extremely engrossing, with a rich and multi-faceted storyline that unfolds layer by layer.

As you turn the pages, you'll discover new depths and details that will keep you hooked.

I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The author has done an excellent job of creating a world that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Whether you're a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book has something to offer.

It's the kind of book that you'll want to recommend to your friends and family.

So, if you're looking for a good read, look no further than this book.

You won't be disappointed.

This book had an immediate hold on me from the very beginning.

Ms Angelou's mastery of language is truly remarkable. She employs words that I had never encountered before, yet in a manner that is neither off-putting nor bothersome.

The book delves into a specific period of her life when she lived briefly in Ghana. She relocated there with her son, who attended university, and she managed to carve out a niche for herself.

One aspect of her writing that I deeply appreciated is the honesty in her thoughts and behaviors. She freely admits when she makes a mistake or jumps to conclusions too quickly, and I can identify with that.

I also value her frankness regarding the challenge of finding "home" in Africa. She and other Black American expats struggled to feel at home in the motherland, due to the reactions of the citizens and the unfamiliar processes and customs. However, they never openly admitted this among themselves.

I suspect that people still face similar difficulties today, and I wonder if others have written about this. It provides useful food for thought for those eager to seek a sense of home elsewhere.

The time she spent with Malcolm was also captivating. Ms Angelou was a fascinating woman, sometimes a bit frustrating, but always captivating.

I highly recommend this book to everyone.

I know this isn't the popular take.

This was my first Maya Angelou autobiography and I don't think it was the right one to start with.

To be honest, I just didn't enjoy this book. I found it boring, lacking in narrative, and lacking a strong sense of humanity.

The only person in this story that you stay with throughout its course is Maya. Every other person is fleeting, marginal, and servicing her story. So, it follows that liking Maya is essential to liking the story.

But to me, she came off as self-important and self-pitying, though I will say still self-aware. I just wasn't sure if the self-awareness was being weaponized as a way to rationalize her ego or if it was contextualizing the vulnerability of her confessing her ego.

The book was a series of quick interactions that felt conceitedly dramatized and difficult to invest in emotionally.

However, it's obvious that it's very well-written. It's artistic, it's historically interesting, and I do think it's emotionally honest.

Despite my personal feelings, I can recognize the value and significance of this work. It's just that for me, it didn't quite hit the mark. Maybe I'll give another of her autobiographies a try and see if my perception changes.

All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes is indeed just one installment within the remarkable seven-book autobiographical series penned by Maya Angelou.

\\tIn this specific novel, Angelou vividly chronicles her profound journey of self-discovery as she makes the momentous move to Ghana. There, she delves deep into the exploration of what it truly means to be an African-American on the mother continent. It is a captivating story filled with desire, yet also delicately tinged with hope. The novel unflinchingly sheds light on the harsh and cruel reality of a world that often struggles to accept those who are different.

\\tMaya Angelou is widely and rightfully regarded as one of the most杰出的poets and writers in American history. It comes as no surprise, then, that All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes showcases her astounding prowess in word choice and imagery. Her personal development is presented in such a masterful way that the reader is temporarily transported, feeling as if they are living the life of another.

\\tFor all these reasons, I would毫不犹豫地rate the book a perfect 5/5. It is a must-read for anyone who has a penchant for reading autobiographies that possess a more engaging, story-like quality. Additionally, any fan of Maya Angelou’s other works is certain to find great enjoyment in this particular offering.

An interesting account from West Africa dating back to the late 50s has once again emerged, filled with the most beautiful writing and a cast of fascinating people.

It offers a unique glimpse into a bygone era, painting a vivid picture of the region's culture, traditions, and daily life.

However, it must be noted that the style of this account may not be on par with some of the other books in this series. At times, it leans more towards being anecdotal, perhaps lacking the more structured and in-depth analysis that some readers might prefer.

Nevertheless, it still manages to captivate with its charm and the authenticity of its storytelling, making it a worthwhile read for those interested in West African history and culture.

This was the very first book in this year's Postal Book Swap F rotation. Everything about it was a secret until each of us had seen all of them.

I happened to pick this up to read on the same day I had a conversation with a woman who was working at a permanent refugee camp in Malawi. And I got so engrossed that I read the first half without taking a single break. I simply couldn't stop reading!

Maya Angelou is truly captivating. It's not at all astonishing that a poet would pen such lyrically beautiful words. However, there are certain moments in the book that are written with such exquisite beauty.

I was completely unaware of this particular period in Angelou's life. I didn't know about her disillusionment with Martin Luther King, Jr., nor did I know that she was internationally renowned even in the 1960s.

Her honesty and the exploration of identity seem to be the very core of this book. Can Black Americans truly find their roots in Africa? Can Africa be a homeland to which they can return? Or does their Americanness and their painful history set them apart too distinctly? Will she manage to find acceptance and a sense of belonging?

This book feels as if it is an ancestor in itself, similar to books like Americanah and Homegoing.

Thanks Kim!

The date on which I read this book was February 17, 2017. The date included below is the review posting date.