The Heart of a Woman

by Maya Angelou
The Heart of a Woman cover
Good Books rating 4.22
Biography and Memoir
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  • ID: 8354
  • Added: 2025-12-21
  • Updated: 2025-12-24
  • ISBN: 9780748122363
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2010-09-02
  • Reviews: 4

In 'The Heart Of A Woman,' Maya Angelou, the celebrated author of 'I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS,' shares her experiences as an active participant in the civil rights movement. This fourth volume of her autobiography immerses readers in the vibrant world of black writers and artists in Harlem, where Angelou's talents and resilience shine. Her involvement with Martin Luther King Jr. and her contributions to the movement are vividly chronicled, providing a unique perspective on a pivotal time in American history. /n/n Angelou's memoir is not just a testament to her personal journey but also a celebration of hope, joy, and achievement amidst discrimination and extreme poverty. Her powerful prose and unshakeable spirit make this a compelling read that resonates with the enduring themes of identity, culture, and societal change.

Reviews
Heavenali · 2021-09-28
engaging 4.20

The book immerses the reader in the world of writers and artists in Harlem, showcasing Maya's involvement in the civil rights movement. The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, offering a unique perspective on the era.

The reviewer enjoyed how the book takes the reader into the vibrant world of Harlem's artistic community and the civil rights movement. They found Maya's experiences and reflections to be both engaging and insightful, providing a unique perspective on the time period. The reviewer appreciated the depth of the narrative and the way it highlights the importance of the civil rights movement in shaping Maya's life and work. The book is not just a personal story but a historical account that resonates with the struggles and triumphs of the era.

Quick quotes

    The Heart of a Woman sees Maya becoming immersed in the world of writers and artists in Harlem, going on to work in the civil rights movement.

    The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, offering a unique perspective on the era.

    The book is a historical account that resonates with the struggles and triumphs of the era.

Libro Fulltime · 2021-09-22
harrowing 4.00

The book delves into the struggles and suspicions faced by a black mother. It highlights the pervasive sense of destruction and ruination she perceives in her surroundings.

The reviewer explores the profound themes of struggle and suspicion that permeate the narrative. They highlight how the black mother's perception of destruction and ruination at every turn adds a layer of depth to the story. This perspective is both harrowing and enlightening, offering a raw look into the challenges faced by the protagonist. The reviewer appreciates the authenticity and emotional resonance of the book, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    The black mother perceives destruction at every door, ruination at each window, and even she herself is not beyond her own suspicion.

    The book delves into the struggles and suspicions faced by a black mother.

    It highlights the pervasive sense of destruction and ruination she perceives in her surroundings.

Literary Chronicles · 2015-09-15
excellent 4.50

The simple, conversational tone of the book makes it an easy and relatable read for both men and women.

The reviewer appreciates the simple, conversational tone of the book, which makes it accessible and relatable to a broad audience. They note how the book's down-to-earth style allows readers to connect with the characters and their experiences on a personal level. The reviewer finds the book to be a compelling and enjoyable read, highlighting its universal appeal.

Quick quotes

    The simple, conversational tone, a trademark of Maya's writing, makes for an easy, down to earth read that men and women alike can relate to.

    The book's down-to-earth style allows readers to connect with the characters and their experiences on a personal level.

    The reviewer finds the book to be a compelling and enjoyable read.

Goodreads · 1981-01-01
great 4.20

The book is described as vulnerable, humorous, and tough, with Maya Angelou speaking with an intimate awareness of the heart within all of us.

The reviewer praises the book for its vulnerability and humor, noting how Maya Angelou's writing is both tough and intimate. They appreciate the way Angelou connects with the reader on a deep emotional level, making the book a relatable and engaging read. The reviewer highlights the book's ability to resonate with a wide audience, making it a standout piece of literature.

Quick quotes

    Vulnerable, humorous, tough, Maya speaks with an intimate awareness of the heart within all of us.

    The book is described as vulnerable, humorous, and tough.

    Maya Angelou's writing is both tough and intimate.

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