I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings cover art

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Preview

Try for $0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Written by: Maya Angelou
Narrated by: Maya Angelou
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $23.31

Buy Now for $23.31

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash”. At eight years old and back at her mother’s side in St. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age - and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime.

Years later, in San Francisco, Maya learns about love for herself and the kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors (“I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare”) will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned.

Poetic and powerful, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a modern American classic that will touch hearts and change minds for as long as people read - or listen.

©1969 Maya Angelou (P)2010 Random House
Art & Literature Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment & Celebrities Literature & Fiction Heartfelt Celebrity
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What the critics say

" I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings liberates the reader into life simply because Maya Angelou confronts her own life with such a moving wonder, such a luminous dignity.” (James Baldwin)
“A beautiful book - an unconditionally involving memoir for our time or any time.... Maya Angelou is a natural writer with an inordinate sense of life and she has written an exceptional autobiographical narrative.” ( Kirkus Reviews)
“Simultaneously touching and comic.” ( The New York Times)

Featured Article: The Best Motivational Audiobooks for Women Written by Powerful Women


Whether at work or in your personal life, these motivational audiobooks replace quick fixes with actionable tools and strategies to help you change how you think. Here’s our list of audiobooks and podcasts from women who have inspired us to create positive change in our own lives or in the lives of others. Find your favourite new audiobook that keeps you pushing forward to achieve great things. Discover our list of the best motivational listens.

What listeners say about I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    246
  • 4 Stars
    59
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    230
  • 4 Stars
    30
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    222
  • 4 Stars
    32
  • 3 Stars
    12
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing!

Such an honest person, incredible story that will make you laugh and cry! Very touching indeed. Maya is a powerful writer

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

incredible

what an incredible life and eye opener to the racism experienced. goes up until she's 16 and Im already downloading her other autobiographies. she has an incredible voice and states things in a matter of fact way, despite the unfairness and cruelties of her situations

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Asolutely loved this

I downloaded this because I thought I "should" experience this renowned work. That's how it started. Then it quickly became pure love, and I was wanting to hear more even after it ended.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

beautiful and touching

beautifully written. I love the words almost as much as the woman reading them. lovely.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Just lovely

I enjoyed every second of this, it's a classic for a reason, so very heartwarming

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

WOW

Best thing I have ever heard.
Maya reading is fantastic, what a journey that was.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

In love with this

I am a big fan of Maya Angelou and have been meaning to read this well know book - but never got around to it being so busy and all. To my amazement Audible has the version with Maya Angelou reading the words directly to you. Maya's voice is so soothing and sweep's over me especially on the days my soul needs some comfort. I like to play the Audible version in my car when stuck in traffic and some chapters give me a good laugh. And other chapters give me so much to think about. The world needs more Maya Angelou. She lives on in the audible version of her amazing classic book. #Audible1

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This Angel

I’m so enthralled by the magnetic energy and brilliance of this author- just enjoyed this from start to finish.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Eye-opening

I don't think people who are not of colour have any idea of what our coloured sisters and brothers, especially in the USA, gave had to and continue to endure. A must-read for all of humanity.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely incredible!

such an inspirational and heart wrenching story. very emotional and her voice is so beautiful.

#Audible1

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful