Hostess: Pat Parmalee
Attendees: Amy, Lisa, Lori, Cheryl, Emily, Susan, Janna, Nan and Pat
This book is the 1969 autobiography about the early years of African-American writer and poet Maya Angelou. It covers her life from age 3-17, during the years of 1930-1944. The first in a seven volume series, it is a coming-of-age story that illustrates how strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma.
The book begins when three year old Maya and her older brother are sent to Stamps, Arkansas by their parents to live with their strict grandmother who runs the store in the black community. After a few years their father reappears and takes them to St. Louis to live with their mother. It is during this time that Maya is raped by her mother's boyfriend. She becomes mute from the trauma and is sent back to Stamps to live with her grandmother again.
Eventually they move with their mother to San Francisco and Maya learns to stand up for herself. The book ends when Maya becomes a mother at the age of 16. In the course of Caged Bird, Maya transforms from a victim of racism and rape with an inferiority complex into a self-possessed, dignified young woman capable of responding to prejudice.
Everyone enjoyed the book and there was much discussion about the overall theme of racism and sexual identity. We rated the book 4 stars.****
Quote of the night: By Amy, of course, after the discussion went off topic!
"Single nuns cannot have babies. I believe they frown on that."
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| Were we desperate to get out after 48 hours of Snowjam or what??? |
