Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie

by Maya Angelou
Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie cover
Good Books rating 3.53
Poetry
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  • ID: 9459
  • Added: 2025-12-24
  • Updated: 2025-12-24
  • ISBN: 9781405526791
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2013-04-04
  • Reviews: 3

Maya Angelou's 'Just Give Me A Cool Drink Of Water 'Fore I Diiie' is a remarkable collection of poetry that delves into themes of love, regret, racial strife, and confrontation. Her poems are charged with a zest for life and a rage against injustice, offering a lyrical and tender exploration of longing, betrayal, and isolation. The collection is celebrated for its fierce insight into societal issues and personal emotions, painting an unforgettable picture of the hopes and concerns of one of America's finest writers. Angelou's work is praised by notable figures such as Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Toni Morrison, highlighting her profound impact on literature and culture.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-12-24
vintage 4.10

This poetry collection is described as vintage Angelou, filled with love, rage, warmth, and a sense of longing. It is praised for its emotional depth and powerful insights.

This review highlights the collection as a quintessential example of Maya Angelou's work. The poems are described as being filled with a mix of love, rage, and warmth, creating a powerful emotional experience. The reviewer appreciates the depth and insight that Angelou brings to her poetry, making this collection a standout. They mention that the poems explore themes of longing, betrayal, and isolation, all wrapped up in Angelou's unique lyrical style.

Quick quotes

    Maya Angelou's first poetry collection is vintage Angelou, full of love and rage, warmth and a sense of longing.

    The poems are lyrical, tender, and filled with a fierce insight into human emotions.

    This collection is a powerful exploration of love, betrayal, and isolation.

The Storygraph · 2025-12-24
disappointed 2.50

The reviewer was disappointed with this poetry collection compared to Angelou's other works. They found a few poems to be impactful but overall felt it lacked the depth they expected.

This reviewer had high expectations for this poetry collection, especially after loving Maya Angelou's other works. They found that this collection didn't quite meet those expectations. While there were a few standout poems that resonated with them, they felt that the overall collection lacked the depth and impact they were hoping for. It seems they were looking for more of the profound insights and emotional resonance that they had experienced in Angelou's other works.

Quick quotes

    I was disappointed with this poetry collection because I absolutely loved Angelou's other collection "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings".

    There were a few poems that stood out to me, but overall it didn't quite hit the mark.

    I was expecting more depth and emotional resonance from this collection.

Guardian Bookshop · 1988-04-07
lyrical 4.00

The collection is praised for its lyrical and tender poems that explore themes of longing, betrayal, and isolation. It is noted for its fierce insight into hate and hateful wrath.

This review emphasizes the lyrical and tender nature of the poems in this collection. The reviewer appreciates the way Angelou explores complex emotions such as longing, betrayal, and isolation. They also highlight the powerful insights into hate and hateful wrath, making this collection a memorable and impactful read. The reviewer finds that Angelou's unique voice and perspective shine through in these poems, creating a deeply moving experience.

Quick quotes

    Lyrical, tender poems of longing, wry glances at betrayal and isolation combine with a fierce insight into 'hate and hateful wrath' in an unforgettable picture.

    The poems are filled with a deep emotional resonance that stays with the reader.

    Angelou's unique voice and perspective make this collection a standout.

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