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Letter to My Daughter
Published by Penguin Random House Audio
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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About this audiobook
For a world of devoted readers, a much-awaited new volume of absorbing stories and inspirational wisdom from one of our best-loved writers.
Dedicated to the daughter she never had but sees all around her, Letter to My Daughter reveals Maya Angelou's path to living well and living a life with meaning. Told in her own inimitable style, this book transcends genres and categories: guidebook, memoir, poetry, and pure delight.
Here in short spellbinding essays are glimpses of the tumultuous life that led Angelou to an exalted place in American letters and taught her lessons in compassion and fortitude: how she was brought up by her indomitable grandmother in segregated Arkansas, taken in at thirteen by her more worldly and less religious mother, and grew to be an awkward, six-foot-tall teenager whose first experience of loveless sex paradoxically left her with her greatest gift, a son.
Whether she is recalling such lost friends as Coretta Scott King and Ossie Davis, extolling honesty, decrying vulgarity, explaining why becoming a Christian is a "lifelong endeavor," or simply singing the praises of a meal of red rice-Maya Angelou writes from the heart to millions of women she considers her extended family.
Like the rest of her remarkable work, Letter to My Daughter entertains and teaches; it is a book to cherish, savor, re-read, and share.
"I gave birth to one child, a son, but I have thousands of daughters. You are Black and White, Jewish and Muslim, Asian, Spanish speaking, Native Americans and Aleut. You are fat and thin and pretty and plain, gay and straight, educated and unlettered, and I am speaking to you all. Here is my offering to you."
-from Letter to My Daughter
From the Hardcover edition.
Dedicated to the daughter she never had but sees all around her, Letter to My Daughter reveals Maya Angelou's path to living well and living a life with meaning. Told in her own inimitable style, this book transcends genres and categories: guidebook, memoir, poetry, and pure delight.
Here in short spellbinding essays are glimpses of the tumultuous life that led Angelou to an exalted place in American letters and taught her lessons in compassion and fortitude: how she was brought up by her indomitable grandmother in segregated Arkansas, taken in at thirteen by her more worldly and less religious mother, and grew to be an awkward, six-foot-tall teenager whose first experience of loveless sex paradoxically left her with her greatest gift, a son.
Whether she is recalling such lost friends as Coretta Scott King and Ossie Davis, extolling honesty, decrying vulgarity, explaining why becoming a Christian is a "lifelong endeavor," or simply singing the praises of a meal of red rice-Maya Angelou writes from the heart to millions of women she considers her extended family.
Like the rest of her remarkable work, Letter to My Daughter entertains and teaches; it is a book to cherish, savor, re-read, and share.
"I gave birth to one child, a son, but I have thousands of daughters. You are Black and White, Jewish and Muslim, Asian, Spanish speaking, Native Americans and Aleut. You are fat and thin and pretty and plain, gay and straight, educated and unlettered, and I am speaking to you all. Here is my offering to you."
-from Letter to My Daughter
From the Hardcover edition.
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Reviews for Letter to My Daughter
Rating: 4.236922584615384 out of 5 stars
4/5
325 ratings31 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This wonderful little book filled with anecdotes, experiences, and quotes you can add to your collection is a must read for any woman.Angelou has a way with words. She ends the book on a humble note. Really quite impressive!A must read for anyone that likes to read about life's most important lessons.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A remarkable woman. There are some absolute gems in this book; there are also some mundane patches. I loved listening to Maya herself read the book. The anecdotes that I remember most are her family's reaction to her teenage pregnancy (What a joy for us to have a beautiful child to love) and her experience in Senegal walking on a rug that she thought everyone else had been forbidden to walk on to discover that it was the rug where they all sat to eat.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book was very moving, it spoke of her life and the other amazing wonderful people that have gone on to glory that she'd befriended and loved. Like Martin Luther King and his wife. Just an amazing book, I cried and laughed and learned upon reading it.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Letter to My Daughter is a collection of 28 short essays (and a few poems) on life, faith, motherhood, kindness, and what it means to be human. Though many of the essays are written to and about women and issues women face, this collection and the wisdom Angelou offers are universally appealing and applicable. This is another of those books I think should be required reading for life. The pieces are short and pithy, and Angelou says it like no one else can. When she talks, I want to pay attention.At just 166 pages, this small volume is page-for-page one of the most valuable books I’ve read in a very long time and is the perfect selection for a rainy afternoon. Angelou has lived a long and interesting life, and I’m so grateful that she’s chosen to continue sharing her experiences with us. I hope this won’t be the last time.Full review at The Book Lady's Blog
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5In this book, "Letter to My Daughter" by Maya Angelou, I discovered a few new facts about Doctor Maya Angelou. For example, I did not realize her mother owned a hotel. I also didn't remember her sense of humor. I also think she had the ability to disagree with a person's opinion without raising her voice and maintaining her dignity in front of other people. This book definitely gives a fuller picture of this woman's opinions.I liked thinking about the women she called her daughters. These women must have visited her countless times and received good advice. Two of the women she listed as daughters are Oprah Winfrey and Gayle B. King. Maya Angelou also remembers people who "mothered" her whenever struggles occurred in her life. For those of us who did not have the chance to meet her personally, she hopes her books will nurture us as a mother would care for her children throughout life.It is grand to know that the book is for every type of woman: Black, White, Jewish, Muslim, Native American, Spanish, Aleut and Muslim. Men can relate to this book as well. Dr. Maya Angelou makes us comfortable with the rest of the world. She shares cultural mistakes and a light laugh. She writes about foods and of course, her friends. One friend is James Baldwin and Mrs. Coretta Scott King.Of course, she talks about her mother and Guy. Her mother is a woman who is passionate and very ready to get protection for her daughter if necessary. Each time I read one of these books, I think of Maya Angelou as the mother and the mother as the child: She was taller than her mother. She seemed more serious than her mother. At times, it seems like the mother felt apologetic for her behavior and needed Maya Angelou's forgiveness. With all of Maya Angelou's gifts, acting and dancing among them, I feel that poetry writing was her favorite
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Insightful for every teenage girl and young woman.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Letter to my Daughter is a book of wisdom, a collection of 28 short works -- mostly essays, and a couple of poems. Ms. Angelou doesn't have a daughter (her only child is a son); this book is dedicated to women all around the world. Angelou plumbs the depths of more than 80 years on the planet to serve up bits of her experience as lessons for her readers. Some of the essays, particularly those pertaining to her younger adult years, concern violence and disrespect towards women. In others, Angelou relates cultural blunders or near misses made during her travels. The embedded lesson is usually not about the gaffe itself, but the personal learning and growth that came from it: In an unfamiliar culture, it is wise to offer no innovations, no suggestions, or lessons. The epitome of sophistication is utter simplicity. (p. 91)In fact, most of her lessons came from mistakes. I admired Angelou's ability to expose her own vulnerability for the reader's benefit. My only complaint about this book is that its 166 pages are misleading. Each piece is quite short, usually 2-4 pages. Each essay is padded with additional pages (a cover page, a blank page, etc.), and of course there are obligatory pages about the author, the typeface, and so on. I would have preferred a greater percentage of this book be devoted to Angelou's words of wisdom. Nevertheless, these essays lend themselves well to periodic re-reading, and this book will remain on my shelves to be dipped into later.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Some of these essays are extraordinary. Others aren't. I'm glad I read it.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A series of short pieces, most no more than two pages long, including bits of autobiography, essays, and poetry. The theme is things written for the daughter she never had, and to all the women she considers in some ways daughters. She speaks of having her son at age 16, of being beaten and saved by prayer, perhaps, and of many other things. One piece is about Fannie Lou Hamer, who has been a hero of mine since reading about her in various books on the Civil Rights movement.There was one quote that touched me a lot, and I repeat it here: "Many things continue to amaze me, even well into my seventh decade. I'm startled or at least taken aback when people walk up to me and without being questioned inform me that they are Christians. My first response is the question, 'Already?' It seems to me that becoming a Christian is a lifelong endeavor. I believe that is also true of one wanting to become a Buddhist, or a Muslim, a Jew, Jainist, or Taoist. The persons striving to live their religious beliefs know that the idyllic condition cannot be arrived at and held onto eternally. It is in the search itself that one finds the ecstasy." (p. 165)The book is recommended for a fast and inspiring read.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5These short essays and some poems offer lessons that Maya has learned throughout her life. Some were easy lessons and some probably left ugly bruises. The reader is charged with the task of taking the lesson for herself. Although mostly about women, Maya's letter is equally pertinent to our sons. Our mother Maya provides us with the space to explore courage, love, understanding, and progress. Most interesting to me was the idea of courage and how it is most certainly the glue for the changes that we desire. Courage to be honest: to be frank and clear ourselves of the cloud of lies, to move forward. Maya also discusses the ability to go home (because in fact you can never leave) and about popular culture and it's obsession with vulgarity. The only thing that ruffled my feathers was Maya's idea that success and all that is proper must look a certain way.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A collection of several very short stories and poems, many focusing on the life of African-Americans, the importance of our upbringing, and overcoming adversity.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A lifetime of wisdom; lovingly shared. Insights borne of good times and terrors, distilled into poetry and prose.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5excellent advice and good narration. I found it sometimes too preachy.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wonder! I can listen to Maya strong, powerful, courageous voice sharing words of wisdom over and over again. A must listen to audiobook.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I am hooked !! She is an amazing writer, honest and just lovely to read. Much wisdom.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dr. Angelou is always a great read or listen. I loved this collection.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What a wonderful book.
It truly felt like a cozy conversation with a remarkable woman - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A beautiful book - really special to hear Maya Angelou's voice
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I miss her voice so much. I found myself very moved by listening to her memories.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The authors honesty and experience along with great words of wisdom.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Extremely insightful. So glad I have the opportunity to learn from this.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Maya Angelou can read to me any time, anywhere.
I loved this book. If you enjoyed Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates or are looking into reading it, you will probably love this too. Letter to my Daughter is a series of essays written by Maya, and I loved them all. I listened to the audiobook edition on Scribd, and I would highly suggest you do, as well.
Maya has such a beautiful, rich, melodic voice I think it would really add to the piece if you listened to it, rather than read it.
Listening to this audiobook felt like a friend was speaking to me. I loved her, and accepted her for all her flaws and faults, just as she has learnt to accept herself. I'm not sure that I could explain how much Maya means to me, or how much she has taught me, but I love this book and I will keep it close to my heart.
She has taught me so much. She has such a wise, warm, compassionate voice. I only wish this book were longer, so that I could hear her speak more. If you decide to read this book, I hope you find it as valuable as I do. Miss you already, Maya.
tw: for quite a confronting, domestic violence scene. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wise and powerful words from a wise and powerful voice
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Maya Angelou can read to me any time, anywhere.
I loved this book. If you enjoyed Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates or are looking into reading it, you will probably love this too. Letter to my Daughter is a series of essays written by Maya, and I loved them all. I listened to the audiobook edition on Scribd, and I would highly suggest you do, as well.
Maya has such a beautiful, rich, melodic voice I think it would really add to the piece if you listened to it, rather than read it.
Listening to this audiobook felt like a friend was speaking to me. I loved her, and accepted her for all her flaws and faults, just as she has learnt to accept herself. I'm not sure that I could explain how much Maya means to me, or how much she has taught me, but I love this book and I will keep it close to my heart.
She has taught me so much. She has such a wise, warm, compassionate voice. I only wish this book were longer, so that I could hear her speak more. If you decide to read this book, I hope you find it as valuable as I do. Miss you already, Maya.
tw: for quite a confronting, domestic violence scene. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Love love love this book and it being read by the author makes it 100 times better!!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One of my favorite books ever!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5As always, I loved it!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou; {acquired 08/26/2013}; (4 1/2*)What a lovely way to remember what is important to focus on in life. I love Maya Angelou and her words can guide any lost soul through the storm of life.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5There is some really lovely, heartfelt and thought-provoking work in here. It's a collection rather than a unified work, so each reader will find some parts speak more to her than others do. But everyone will find something that touches and inspires. It is a generous offering that she makes to all of us, whom she sees as her spiritual daughters. Thank you, Ms. Angelou.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I enjoyed reading another Maya Angelou book, though I must admit that this one was a little "fluffier" in some places than expected. Other chapters were very frank and real, especially about her younger years. I was glad to learn a bit more about how she grew up; it made me admire her more. I can understand now why she seems like such a strong person, as this book reveals some of the strong influences in her life. One of my favorite chapters was about her adult life, when she first visited Wake Forest College to give a lecture. She was asked to join in an impromptu student meeting after her lecture, and impressed someone from the admin. so much she was offered a faculty position whenever she wanted it. Later, after her divorce, she methodically whittled down the list of cities where she wanted to settle to write, and ended up in Winston-Salem, and finally on the Wake Forest University faculty with a lifetime appointment.