The nonfiction book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, is a partial memoir of famed author Toni Morrison and discusses her life growing up in the United States during the 1930s-1940s. She recounts a lot of her own childhood while including wisdom from her experiences as well as from the people around her. She tells of her family, struggles, trauma, and influences that helped shape her into the person she became. It is a witty, insightful, and beautifully written book about her experience as a black woman, a book lover, a granddaughter and daughter, and a sister.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but that shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s well-known as an excellent book, and I also love memoirs. I think they help us relate to other people (especially successful people) and make finding the commonalities between us more accessible. Obviously this book is not the most relatable piece of literature for me personally, but not all books need to be. Being able to impart one’s cultural and socioeconomic upbringing with such clarity and poise is a gift, and it is also a gift to read such an account. That being said, having grown up in Florida, Morrison’s description of “powhitetrash” was startlingly accurate.
Angelou conveys her experiences and insights are told through a magnetic prose that keeps the pages turning. This is what I was most continually blown away by. Though the events and resulting discussions were astute and educational, the prose was what made this a particularly enjoyable and captivating read. We all know I’m a sucker for good writing, but Angelou is a master. I don’t use that word lightly as plenty of authors can be very good at their craft, but few are genuinely masterful of it. Angelou is a master.
The imagery and language intertwine to create an encompassing and meaningful dialogue about what it was like to grow up as a black woman in the 1930s and 1940s. A lot of people write a good book with an important meaning, and a lot of people can write a beautiful book that lacks meaning. This is a beautiful book that contains some of the most poignant recollections of lessons, messages, and stories about our history. That is a feat, and deserves all the high praise its been given.
Clearly, my verdict is for you to read this book. I highly, highly recommend that you do.
The Lit Wiz