Maya Angelou is one of the most renowned authors of the modern era. She has written several influential books of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and autobiographies. In her works, Angelou relates her lived experiences in vivid detail, from her childhood in Arkansas to her work and activism in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Accra, and Cairo. Her books are like candid conversations and, though the topics she tackles vary widely, what ties them all together is her empowering voice and commitment to social justice. Here, we will take a look at the books Angelou has written and the topics they explore.
Angelou’s first book was published in 1967 when she was just 32 years old. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings remains her best-known work and is an autobiographical account of her childhood, adolescence, and the struggles she faced as a black woman growing up in the Jim Crow South. More than just a narrative of personal hardship, Angelou’s memoir looks into larger issues such as racism, violence, segregation, and class divisions. It has since been considered an American classic and is often taught in high schools and colleges in the US.
Angelou wrote 10 autobiographies, the most recent being 2015’s Mom & Me & Mom. This book is a compilation of her various life-stages—from her first meeting with her mother at the age of 17 all the way to her elderly years. Here, Angelou paints a portrait of a complex relationship between mother and daughter—one of both affection and estrangement—and explores how we shape and are shaped by those closest to us.
Angelou also wrote four books of poetry–Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Die (1971); Oh Pray My Wings Are Going to Fit Me Well (1975); Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing? (1983); and Her Hidden Name Is Courage (1986). These works continue themes explored in her autobiographies, particularly black identity, pain, and resilience. Her other books of poetry such as New York Times best-selling I Shall Not Be Moved (1990) and Phenomenal Woman (1996) have also resonated with readers. They have been lauded for their tenderness, poetic vision, and insight.
Angelou’s early books touched on her formative years, but she also wrote about her adulthood and the experiences she had after becoming an adult. Gather Together in My Name (1974) is the sequel to I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and recounts Angelou’s life in the 1940s. Here, she focuses more on her early adult experiences in San Francisco, such as becoming a single mother and surviving on her own. In 1993, Angelou wrote All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes, which finds her in Ghana in the 1960s, where she lived for a few years and learned a great deal about her roots and identity.
Aside from her autobiographies, poetry, and fiction, Angelou also wrote four non-fiction works, which provided advice to women. These included Letter to My Daughter (2008); Even the Stars Look Lonesome (1997); Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now (1993); and Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now (2006). All of these books offered guidance through life’s tough moments and were motivational works that served to uplift women by offering them wisdom on topics such as self-expression, courage, and resilience.
Short Stories
Aside from her poetry and longer works, Angelou also wrote five collections of short stories. These included A Brave and Startling Truth (1995); Now Sheba Sings the Song (1987); And Still I Rise (1978); Mom & Me & Mom (2013); and Great Food, All Day Long (2010). Through these stories, Angelou combined her experiences with elements of magical realism and fantasy to insightfully explore faith, identity, family, love, and loss.
Plays and Screenplays
Angelou was also very active in theater, having written several plays and screenplays. Her first, Cabaret for Freedom (1961), was written for her performance group in San Francisco and focused on civil rights and black history. Angelou also wrote two other plays, Love Dog (1985) and Every Grain of Rice (1989). She wrote and directed the movies Georgia Georgia (1971) and Basically Black (1976). Lastly, Angelou wrote the screenplay for Sister, Sister, a 1982 movie about two Harlem sisters torn apart due to poverty.
Children’s Books
Lastly, Angelou wrote more than a dozen children’s books, an impressive feat given her increasingly busy schedule in her later life. These books switch between stories of fantasy and reality, and they explore themes of identity and family, while still showcasing Angelou’s lyrical storytelling. Some examples of her children’s books, which remain popular with young readers, include: Kofi and His Magic (2009), My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken and Me (1994), Phenomenal Woman (1995), The Heart of a Woman (2003), and The Wisdom of Women (2005).
Essays and Other Works
Angelou’s body of work is so vast that it is impossible to cover everything here. She wrote several essays, documentaries, and TV shows in addition to the books mentioned above. Angelou also lectured nationally and internationally, sharing her wisdom and life story with both young and old alike. Ultimately, Angelou’s voice as a writer and a storyteller is one that will remain for generations to come and stand as an example of how everyday people can overcome the biggest obstacles and make a lasting impact.
Critical Reception
As a whole, critics and readers have generally had a positive view of Angelou’s works and have seen them as both important and timely. In particular, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has been praised as an important and illuminating look into the black experience in America. Similarly, Angelou’s poetic works have been acclaimed for their frankness and honest insight into pressing issues within the black experience. reviews and critical response have been largely favorable and given Angelou a place of great respect among both readers and peers.
Translations into Other Languages
Given her widespread appeal and importance in American literature, Angelou’s works have been translated into multiple languages. Her autobiographical works, particularly I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, have been translated into Spanish, German, French, and Chinese, among other languages. Her other books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction have also been made available in various languages, allowing Angelou’s stories to reach people from diverse cultural backgrounds and to share her unique perspective with a wide audience.
Legacy and Lasting Influence
Angelou’s legacy and influence have lasted far beyond her lifetime. Almost all of her works have been read in classrooms around the world and are considered to be some of the most important books of the 20th century. Her works are often taught alongside those of other writers such as Toni Morrison and James Baldwin, both of whom were close friends of Angelou. Moreover, Angelou’s books have become staples in black literature courses and are seen as cornerstones in both African-American and women’s literature. Finally, her influence on literature is vast, having not only pushed boundaries in terms of storytelling but inspiring countless other writers to take up the metaphorical pen.
