I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

I have to admit that when I first picked up this book to read I got about five pages in before I had to put it back down. However, in the ninth grade when the opportunity presented itself to pick a book of my choice for my English class I decided to give the book another chance. Needless to say after I read the book I mentally scolded myself for taking so long. This book is a true masterpiece and there is no other way to describe Maya Angelou’s raw story. 

The first thing I have to recognize when it comes to this autobiography is the writing. Once getting submerged in the book I was in awe at the language used by Angelou. As a result of her powerful syntax, diction and narration, Angelou is able to make what could have been a simple sentence into something 100 times more impactful and memorable. Her poetic words are seen within the pages of her autobiography and it had me hanging on to each and every detail she shared. 

The autobiography also includes some mature and painful events from her childhood such as the realities of segregation and the violation she experienced at the hands of a man older than her. I loved her voice of transparency that shone throughout the book. She did not ever sugarcoat or minimize the extent of her pain for the sake of her audience and their feelings, but rather indulged the reader in all aspects of her life and how it shaped her into who she became. 

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is an insightful classic. This autobiography is for those of all ages and definitely on the list of books every person should read at least once in their life.