I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

It's the first Tuesday of the month, and it's time for Classics Bookclub, which is hosted by 5 Minutes for Books. And for February, we read Maya Angelou's autobiography, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. This is my third time reading this book. I first read it at University, and then again when I was pregnant with my first child. And both times I was entrahelled by what I read. I knew what to expect from book, but I was curious on how I would react to certain events that happened to the author.

Nothing much changed from the previous times that I read the book. I still felt the anger and wonder of what happen to the author as a child and how she drew strength to survive. And the humiliating way the she, her family, were treated just because of the color of their skin. It's revolting, it just makes me angry. I wish I could express it better, I just do not have the words.

I think what I love most about the book, is the author's voice. Even though it's prose, it has a poetic flow to it.

I searched for Maya Angelou's poem Caged Bird. And I would love to share it with you:

Caged Bird

A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

Maya Angelou

The book is going back to keeper shelf. It's just one of those books...

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (Reread) Autobiography; Published: Random House (1969); Classics Bookclub; 100 + Reading Challenge (14);

Jane Eyre

5 Minutes for Books is hosting a Classics Bookclub, this months selection is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

I first read Jane Eyre in high school, and back then I thought it was too dark, and boring. I liked Jane, but thought she was too nice and that Mr. Rochester was a despicable man who manipulated situations to suit him.

But now, I have a somewhat different view. I still find Jane too nice, but I also find her to be such a strong individual, physically, emotionally and morally. Mr. Rochester has grown on me, I can understand better the reasons behind what he did, and why he hid Bertha from Jane and his staff. I can see his love and almost obsession with Jane. But I can also see his kindness towards Adele, even when he kept her at arms length.

What I enjoyed the most was Jane’s growth. The way she became the woman that lived her life the way she wanted, and not the way Mr. Rochester or Mr. Rivers wanted her to. She made her choices and lived with them. She wouldn’t corrupt her morals for the sake of her hearts desire. I found that very commendable.

And although the ending is bittersweet. Jane and Mr. Rochester lived happily ever after. And I’m a sucker for a HEA ending.

Since I read this book, I've already ordered the BBC's production of Jane Eyre starring Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens. I think J sees a new obsession starting...these BBC dramas are wonderful.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (4.5/5) Classic Literature; Originally published 1847; 100 + Reading Challenge (70); Classics Book club (2); Fall Into Reading 2008 (3); Keeper shelf;

Pride & Prejudice

5 Minutes For Books is hosting a Classics Bookclub, and this months selection is Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.

I absolutely love Pride & Prejudice. I first fell in love with it in high school, I admit I was forced to read it, but I was won over right on the first chapter. Since then I've re-read it several times (maybe more - but who's counting), and with each read I get something else out of it. Yes, we have the Darcy's and Lizzie's love story, but there's so much more...The characters are so rich, Mr. Bennet's sarcasm, Mrs. Bennet' nerves, Jane' sweetness, Mr. Collins' absurdity, Wickham's easy manner and wickedness, and Lady Catherine's rants on proper society...and much more! How can I resist it?!

Just last Friday, this happened:

Hubby: "You're reading it again?"
Me: "Yep."
Hubby: "What's the big deal with this book?"
Me: "It's a great story. The characters are amazing."
Hubby: "And Mr. Darcy."
Me: "Yes, him too."
Hubby: "I still don't get it."
Me: "It's a story about first impressions. Both Darcy and Lizzie think they know each other, and they are wrong. While he falls in love with her sooner, she slowly gets to know him and understand his manner, falls in love with him. Then Wickham and Lydia elope, and Lizzie feels like nothing can be done to save their reputations. And he does everything in his power to make her happy."
Hubby: "Yep, typical romance. I guess you'll be watching the movies, again. It's an obsession."

He does have a point there, I'll be watching the movies again. The mini-series with Colin Firth, and the movie with Keira Knightley. It sure does sound like an obsession, doesn't it?

Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen (Re-read) Classic Literature; First published in 1813; 100 + Reading Challenge(54);(Classics Bookclub (1); Keeper shelf;