• The Heart of a Woman

  • By: Maya Angelou
  • Narrated by: Maya Angelou
  • Length: 3 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (651 ratings)

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The Heart of a Woman  By  cover art

The Heart of a Woman

By: Maya Angelou
Narrated by: Maya Angelou
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Publisher's summary

Maya Angelou has fascinated, moved, and inspired countless listeners and readers with the first three volumes of her autobiography, one of the most remarkable personal narratives of our age. Now, in her fourth volume, The Heart of a Woman, her turbulent life breaks wide open with joy as the singer-dancer enters the razzle-dazzle of fabulous New York City. There, at the Harlem Writers Guild, her love for writing blazes anew. Her compassion and commitment lead her to respond to the fiery times by becoming the northern coordinator of Martin Luther King's history-making quest.

A tempestuous, earthy woman, she promises her heart to one man only to have it stolen, virtually on her wedding day, by a passionate African freedom fighter. Filled with unforgettable vignettes of famous characters, from Billie Holiday to Malcolm X, The Heart of a Woman sings with Maya Angelou's eloquent prose - her fondest dreams, deepest disappointments, and her dramatically tender relationship with her rebellious teenage son. Vulnerable, humorous, tough, Maya speaks with an intimate awareness of the heart within all of us.

©1997 Maya Angelou (P)1997 Random House Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"I know that not since the days of my childhood, when people in books were more real than the people one saw every day, have I found myself so moved." (James Baldwin)

"What a woman! What a heart!" (AudioFile)

"Remarkable....A great lady moving right on through a great memoir." (Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about The Heart of a Woman

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Lovingly spoken life stories.

Vivid and entertaining reminiscences of her life in New York City and Africa lyrically told by the one and only Maya Angelou. Her deep sonorous voice carries the listener along on her adventures through dramatic political landscapes meeting interesting characters along the way. The love and tenderness she has for her teenage son, along for the journey, is very moving.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Extraordinary

Remarkable life rich and beautiful whispered to your ear by its magnificent protagonist in the most colorful tender and poignant voice. Thank you Maya!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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She will be miss! Rip! She's the reason I ❤ poet!

An amazing book from an amazing women! God bless her! She will always remain in my heart.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Really, really good!

I enjoyed The Heart of a Woman. It kept my attention. Excellent. Great read for weekend of relaxation.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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"Superb"

More than "Superb"
Real life...grew the women, as it has happened, even in my own and many others!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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wonderful

wonderful to hear her voice and feel each stroke of her pen full of emotion

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

good story

she read very monotone but it was an interesting story of her raising her son.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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The recording skipped many times during Chapters

The recording skipped many times during Chapters 2 and 3. I was disappointed because it was a good story.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I wish

I wish it had been a longer story. After 3 hours I was just warming up.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Loved the adventure

The thought of packing up and moving from place to place in a few moments was riveting.
I was not too fond of the short chapters leaving you wanting more as if you had to purchase another memoir to get the complete storyline.
Yes, I love to hear her voice as if she is still with us.

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