I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Abridged)

By: Maya Angelou

Narrated by: Maya Angelou

Length: 3 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

A phenomenal #1 best seller that has appeared on The New York Times best seller list for nearly three years, this memoir traces Maya Angelou's childhood in a small, rural community during the 1930s. Filled with images and recollections that point to the dignity and courage of black men and women, Angelou paints a sometimes disquieting, but always affecting picture of the people, and the times, that touched her life.

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

Critic Reviews

"Simultaneously touching and comic." (The New York Times)
"It is a heroic and beautiful book." (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

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.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

fair

The author does an excellent job reading the story. However, the book has been shortened to the point that it is more or less a trailer. Poor job on the publishing/editing end. Too short.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Beautiful but too short

I didn’t see it was the abridged version and I paid full price for it.

As fare as the story goes it is captivating and honorable. Ms. Angelou reading it made me feel like I was experiencing it with her. She was a mountain of a woman and left the world a better place.

incredible

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

So much insight into the woman she became.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely recommend. Wonderful way to learn of Maya's childhood and entrance to adulthood.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Maya, of course.

Have you listened to any of Maya Angelou’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

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

Wanted to and did. So sorry when it ended.

Any additional comments?

Her voice telling of her early life. Wow!

Amazingly Captivating!

I appreciated this story..must read more of Maya Angelou's work! Maya was the perfect narrator.

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

This is not the entire book

What would have made I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings better?

I love this book and own it but this audio version, is missing a ton of the book and does me no good. I will request a refund for the audio book as I need the full text of the book by audio. I am bothered by the fact that it was sold without disclosing this information. Huge waste of my time.

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.

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.