I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Abridged)

By: Maya Angelou

Narrated by: Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide. Her life story is told in the documentary film And Still I Rise, as seen on PBS’s American Masters.

Here is a book as joyous and painful, as mysterious and memorable, as childhood itself. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right. Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide.

Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash.” At eight years old and back at her mother’s side in St. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age—and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime. Years later, in San Francisco, Maya learns that love for herself, the kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors (“I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare”) will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned.

Poetic and powerful, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings will touch hearts and change minds for as long as people listen.

©1970 Maya Angelou (P)1996 Random House Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings liberates the reader into life simply because Maya Angelou confronts her own life with such a moving wonder, such a luminous dignity.”—James Baldwin

First Read

I wasn't sure if the story had truly ended or not. but overall it was a very well written story.

Entrancing

This was my mother's favorite book. I never had the time to read it. However, listening to this book made me want to run errands constantly because it was the only time I could listen to the book. The author's passion and emotion is truly felt as she reads her own story. It makes you feel as though you are in her world watching her every move. It was great!

incredible

I'll admit I got this because Ms Angelou read it herself.
Stunning story!

Raw & Real

Even that much the material is raw and gritty, Angelou delivers the gold standard in memoir, storytelling, and writing.

Credit Worthy

An honest and interesting peek into the Life of the Authoress. I only wish audible offered it unabridged, as well as the abridged version.

Amazing Audiobook! I really enjoyed it.

This story was amazing and even more interesting having it told by the author herself.

Almost Gripping

This is not an unabridged version. Having a different narrator bridge portions of the book was a little wierd. There are breaks in the editing that are a bit strange. Angelou has a wonderful voice for this genre, but she seems to rush when you want her to slow down. Her singing voice almost had me singing along with her. This is a beautiful book in its original printed version, but the audio version is lacking something.

I am the caged bird which sangs the blues.

What did you love best about I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?

The Author

What did you like best about this story?

The Author

What about Maya Angelou’s performance did you like?

I want you to think I haven.t listen to it, therefore you need to listen yourself and form your own opinion.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Can't wait to hear the next passage, but Abridged

I am a fan of Maya Angelou's writings as much as her voice. I started listening on a 5 hour drive to Vegas, I found no matter the topic, I loved to listen to her poetic descriptions and voice, and eagerly awaited the next passage. I was initially thrilled with this book, but the ending came, and the reading seemed so truncated, I thought I had only downloaded part 1 of 2. This was accidental on my part to purchase an abridged book. I am rating it a 3 of 5 only for the reason the story seemed incomplete in this version. Seek out the unabridged version.

The innocence and perseverance of this woman

I love hearing her tell her story in her own voice it brought it home even more for me.