Gather Together in My Name

Maya Angelou is one of the most special writers because of her ability to combine honesty with amazingly eloquent language.  "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" is the novel that she is best known for and rightly so it truly is a masterpiece.  I read it in Grad School and fell in love with her novel and poetry.  Now, given the gift of time, I finally got around to reading another one of her novels: "Gather Together in My Name" which is equally amazing.  Shorter in length,but similar honest telling of the difficulties she has faced.


Her difficulties made me remember that without those tough times people aren't able to appreciate life the same, or to be able to objectively self reflect, or to understand that life has more to offer then the material possessions people like to fill it with.  Maya's honesty is refreshing because so many people like to "sugar coat" their lives and convince themselves that they are content with their life.  It is only when you are completely honest with yourself that you can truly learn who you are and in turn find true happiness.  She was a young mother attempting to raise a baby during a time that many had to turn to prostitution to survive financially.  Maya does not cover up her naive nature that allowed her to succumb to a very unflattering lifestyle, she lays everything out for her readers to see that life isn't always glamorous and that you have to through some bad to appreciate the good.


If you've never read anything by Maya Angelou, this novel would be a great place to start.


Toni :)