This is an incredibly powerful book. I’m even quite sorry that I’ve just read it after Doctor Angelou’s passing.
I had read some of her poems before (I took a course on African-American Literature) and I found them amazing. She had a lot of experience, a powerful voice (literary and actual) and an incredibly positive outcome of life.

She was indeed, a phenomenal woman.

But until I read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, I couldn’t even imagine how phenomenal she was. This is a book about growing up, about overcoming fears and discovering knowledge. Especially when thinking about her poems. It was great to see how her positive view and attitude came from. Her relationship with her grandmother was clearly one of the things that influenced her. I couldn’t help but admire that woman for taking care of her grandchildren for her son. Maya Angelou’s parents were clearly distant presences in her life and she didn’t write about them with so much love. And it was noticeable how much she loved her brother, Bailey was always there for her, and she knew that.

The final part, when he leaves their home was beautifully written. And I guess it was a turning point for her, as much as her discovery of sex and her pregnancy. Again, I deeply admire her. I don’t think I would’ve done the same in that situation. She was incredibly brave and strong in that part of the story and I was overwhelmed by her.

Even if my life and hers have nothing in common, I could see some of my own fights and struggles throughout the book. I loved learning more about this amazing person. I loved finding out how the phenomenal woman became what she was. I’ll probably read the rest of the books about her life, because they’ll probably be as incredible as this one.