Autobiographic Poetry

Having grown up in Arkansas, you would think I would have been at some point exposed to such a beautiful native voice as that of Maya Angelou. Unfortunately, not so. Time to fix that.

Title: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Author: Maya Angelou
My Start Date: 8/29/10
My Finish Date:8/31/10
Book Count: 46/100

Talk about poetic writing! Angelou's imagery is simply captivating. I really must say that I can't think of many other examples in all of my past writing that have surpassed her, or even compared with her skill of weaving a story into breathtaking chapters. They are perfectly told, perfectly chosen and perfectly timed. I had always thought of Angelou in relation to her poetry and had honestly been somewhat unaware that she had written anything in prose. However, it turns out I was correct. This autobiographical work can't be described as anything other than beautiful poetry.

That being said, it does tend to slow toward the end. Her characterization of Momma and Bailey are so incredibly powerful that at the point in which they start to fade from view, her move to California, the story faintly fades along with them. It is still great writing, mind you, but it just loses a little bit of its power and she is right in ending her story not long thereafter.

Another thing that I personally liked about this reading experience is Angelou's amazing ability to capture the feel of place in such a way that the reader is transported straight there. Her stories take her mostly to Arkansas, but also to St. Louis and California, which are all places important to my own upbringing. I fairly weeped with pleasure at some of the descriptions. You could almost smell the fried chicken. Stunning.

One quick note. Considering her importance to the heritage of Arkansas, I must admit some disappointment that I am just now reading Angelou's works. Why didn't I read this in high school? Granted, I took some advanced and AP courses, rather than the traditional English path, so it is possible that the other courses covered her while mine were to specific to include this work, but I am not entirely convinced that is the case. Sigh.

Now to conquer Wuthering Heights.

Keep Reading!
Sarah