And Still I Rise: A Book of Poems
Product ID: 1274545
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Maya Angelou’s unforgettable collection of poetry lends its name to the documentary film about her life, And Still I Rise, as seen on PBS’s American Masters . Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size But when I start to tell them, They think I’m telling lies. I say, It’s in the reach of my arms, The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me. Thus begins “Phenomenal Woman,” just one of the beloved poems collected here in Maya Angelou’s third book of verse. These poems are powerful, distinctive, and fresh—and, as always, full of the lifting rhythms of love and remembering. And Still I Rise is written from the heart, a celebration of life as only Maya Angelou has discovered it. “It is true poetry she is writing,” M.F.K. Fisher has observed, “not just rhythm, the beat, rhymes. I find it very moving and at times beautiful. It has an innate purity about it, unquenchable dignity. . . . It is astounding, flabbergasting, to recognize it, in all the words I read every day and night . . . it gives me heart, to hear so clearly the caged bird singing and to understand her notes.” Review: So inspiring! - I came across the poem “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou in one of my college classes and it improved my self confidence in a way I hadn’t experienced before. I felt compelled to continue reading her works and so I picked up this book, and I did not regret it! In Angelou’s “And Still I Rise,” topics of love, femininity, and celebration of African American culture are beautifully explored through metaphors/similes, tone, and imagery. I would recommend this collection to those who need a little romance in their life, who need to feel empowered in their own skin, and those feeling oppressed at times over things they cannot control. As someone who has never been in love, at first, I was intimidated by the amount of romance in the first part of this collection. Yet, this book contains comparative measures, like metaphors and similes, to make the poem more accessible so I could grasp the complexities of love (even if I’ve never experienced it). “Where We Belong, A Duet” is one of the first poems, and she begins on how searches dutifully for a lover everywhere she goes. Yet, she still feels lonely. Suddenly, “you rose into my life/Like a promised sunrise” (Angelou, pp.10, 1978). This metaphor of a rose made it easier for me to understand how precious love is and how it can bloom abruptly, like the phenomenon of a budding flower. Then, Angelou surprised me again as she explored love as painful in “Men.” Angelou writes how one day men embrace you in their palms, “gentle, as if you/Were the last raw egg in the world” (pp. 15, 1978) and how it feels comforting at first. Then, they squeeze too hard, and you burst. Comparing the fragility of an egg to this relationship/woman is original and made me comprehend the delicacy of love. It is almost a warning to me as a reader that though love can be wonderful, one must be careful of who they chose to love. It was refreshing for me to read about how love isn’t sunshine and rainbows all the time. It can be challenging, and I need to prepare for this reality in my own life. Angelou uses a very bold tone throughout the piece to force me to grasp what her messages are about true femininity. It is raw and powerful. In her poem, “Phenomenal Woman,” Angelou challenges the standards place on women to fit a certain mold. Femininity is not only physical, but on the inside. “It’s the arch of my back, /The sun of my smile, /The ride of my breasts, /The grace of my style” (Angelou, pp.13, 1978) is how she puts it. Womanhood is a mystery that calls to be discovered. She encourages women to be comfortable in their skin with a striking tone and to hold power even in stillness. As a woman, I felt very inspired to be confident in myself, especially my body, after reading this piece. This collection is written with imagery to allowed me to immerse myself in the poems and understand African American culture from Angelou’s eyes. In “Ain’t That Bad?” Angelou writes, “Puttin’ down that do-rag/Tighten’ up my ‘fro/Wrappin’ up in Blankness/Don’t I shine and glow?” (pp. 45, 1978). In addition, in “And Still I Rise,” Angelou gives more context with strong imagery into her identity. For example, “Just like moons and like suns, /With the certainty of tides…Still I’ll rise” (Angelou, pp. 43, 1978). As a reader, I can picture those astrological bodies emerging no matter the circumstance, and I can do the same with Angelou describing her experience in being part of the African American community. Though difficult at times, she radiates pride in her identity, and again, it is uplifting. Overall, the sensory details that Angelou provides make for a memorable work of art and impressed me. My favorite poem was “Just Like Job.” As a Christian myself, I was moved by her prayerlike proclamations to God and her biblical comparison to Job. She added, “When my blanket was nothing but dew, /Rags and bones/Were all I owned. I chanted Your name/Just like Job” (pp. 42, 1978). This poem, and the collection, encourages readers to remain steadfast in difficult times and to be confident that you will persevere. I can’t wait to read this book again whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed or unsure of myself. If you need some encouragement/empowerment, this collection is for you! Review: Powerful poetry by a powerful poet! - I've never really been into poetry but I'm trying to expand my horizons by reading or listening to books outside my typical comfort genres. I quickly picked Maya Angelou's And Still I Rise (Unabridged Selections) to listen to while I was getting dinner ready. I always love it when the authors narrate their own books because they use the inflection that's meant to be there, which I feel is super important with poetry. Her poem, Woman Work, was so relatable, even though certain aspects of the woman's work I do now is much different from the woman's in the poem. But when Ms. Angelou started singing, I stopped and stood still, covered in goosebumps. It's just that powerful. I need that sound on repeat. 🖤
| Best Sellers Rank | #37,392 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #6 in Black & African American Poetry (Books) #41 in Literary Criticism & Theory #43 in Poetry by Women |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 2,529 Reviews |
C**T
So inspiring!
I came across the poem “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou in one of my college classes and it improved my self confidence in a way I hadn’t experienced before. I felt compelled to continue reading her works and so I picked up this book, and I did not regret it! In Angelou’s “And Still I Rise,” topics of love, femininity, and celebration of African American culture are beautifully explored through metaphors/similes, tone, and imagery. I would recommend this collection to those who need a little romance in their life, who need to feel empowered in their own skin, and those feeling oppressed at times over things they cannot control. As someone who has never been in love, at first, I was intimidated by the amount of romance in the first part of this collection. Yet, this book contains comparative measures, like metaphors and similes, to make the poem more accessible so I could grasp the complexities of love (even if I’ve never experienced it). “Where We Belong, A Duet” is one of the first poems, and she begins on how searches dutifully for a lover everywhere she goes. Yet, she still feels lonely. Suddenly, “you rose into my life/Like a promised sunrise” (Angelou, pp.10, 1978). This metaphor of a rose made it easier for me to understand how precious love is and how it can bloom abruptly, like the phenomenon of a budding flower. Then, Angelou surprised me again as she explored love as painful in “Men.” Angelou writes how one day men embrace you in their palms, “gentle, as if you/Were the last raw egg in the world” (pp. 15, 1978) and how it feels comforting at first. Then, they squeeze too hard, and you burst. Comparing the fragility of an egg to this relationship/woman is original and made me comprehend the delicacy of love. It is almost a warning to me as a reader that though love can be wonderful, one must be careful of who they chose to love. It was refreshing for me to read about how love isn’t sunshine and rainbows all the time. It can be challenging, and I need to prepare for this reality in my own life. Angelou uses a very bold tone throughout the piece to force me to grasp what her messages are about true femininity. It is raw and powerful. In her poem, “Phenomenal Woman,” Angelou challenges the standards place on women to fit a certain mold. Femininity is not only physical, but on the inside. “It’s the arch of my back, /The sun of my smile, /The ride of my breasts, /The grace of my style” (Angelou, pp.13, 1978) is how she puts it. Womanhood is a mystery that calls to be discovered. She encourages women to be comfortable in their skin with a striking tone and to hold power even in stillness. As a woman, I felt very inspired to be confident in myself, especially my body, after reading this piece. This collection is written with imagery to allowed me to immerse myself in the poems and understand African American culture from Angelou’s eyes. In “Ain’t That Bad?” Angelou writes, “Puttin’ down that do-rag/Tighten’ up my ‘fro/Wrappin’ up in Blankness/Don’t I shine and glow?” (pp. 45, 1978). In addition, in “And Still I Rise,” Angelou gives more context with strong imagery into her identity. For example, “Just like moons and like suns, /With the certainty of tides…Still I’ll rise” (Angelou, pp. 43, 1978). As a reader, I can picture those astrological bodies emerging no matter the circumstance, and I can do the same with Angelou describing her experience in being part of the African American community. Though difficult at times, she radiates pride in her identity, and again, it is uplifting. Overall, the sensory details that Angelou provides make for a memorable work of art and impressed me. My favorite poem was “Just Like Job.” As a Christian myself, I was moved by her prayerlike proclamations to God and her biblical comparison to Job. She added, “When my blanket was nothing but dew, /Rags and bones/Were all I owned. I chanted Your name/Just like Job” (pp. 42, 1978). This poem, and the collection, encourages readers to remain steadfast in difficult times and to be confident that you will persevere. I can’t wait to read this book again whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed or unsure of myself. If you need some encouragement/empowerment, this collection is for you!
A**H
Powerful poetry by a powerful poet!
I've never really been into poetry but I'm trying to expand my horizons by reading or listening to books outside my typical comfort genres. I quickly picked Maya Angelou's And Still I Rise (Unabridged Selections) to listen to while I was getting dinner ready. I always love it when the authors narrate their own books because they use the inflection that's meant to be there, which I feel is super important with poetry. Her poem, Woman Work, was so relatable, even though certain aspects of the woman's work I do now is much different from the woman's in the poem. But when Ms. Angelou started singing, I stopped and stood still, covered in goosebumps. It's just that powerful. I need that sound on repeat. 🖤
B**R
inspiring
It was referred to me by my sister and I’m so glad I read it. It is though provoking and lets you see things from another viewpoint.
R**I
Love it!
I love Maya Angelou and I adore her work. This book gives me inspiration that I myself am on the right path. This book of poems covers being a woman (a black woman) and the strength of being a woman. How she had to overcome things in her life as well as her ancestors (I.e. slavery). Her poetry is something that really speaks to me and is something like a helping guide in my writing.
M**E
It's a pleasure to hear Maya Angelou read her poetry.
Note: I listened to this as an audiobook. This is a short selection of thirteen poems by Maya Angelou, which comes to just over 20 minutes as an audiobook. I believe I'd read all the poems before, but it was a particular pleasure to hear Maya Angelou perform her own work. I've listened to the book three times now, and particularly enjoyed Remembrance, California Prodigal, Willie, Woman Work, Still I Rise, and On Aging.
A**L
Phenomenal woman, great seller.
The book arrived in excellent condition. Can’t wait to gift it to my mom. I was tempted to keep it, but I plan to by one for myself later! Thank you!
L**A
A wonderful little book by a wonderful great poet!
I like Maya Angelou, because I love her wisdom, her passion, and her compassion. I became interested in her the very first time I heard something she had said about when you meet someone, and you get an impression ("believe it the first time"). In other words: ALWAYS trust your gut. Be confident, and know that the impression you get is the one that counts because it is the most immediate, and true. (And THAT, I used to hear it all the time from my Grandma, whom I adored! ;>))
J**E
Maya Angelo
Excellent read!
C**A
Good
Good poetry. I like it, and the one named still I Rise is the reason why I bought the book
A**R
All the beautiful poems
Very thin and small book, filled with nice poems from impressive Maya Angelou.
L**M
una celebridad conmovedora
Precioso libro con muchos temas para reflexionar. Nada mejor de la poesía le habla al alma.
F**A
Fantastica
Maya Angelou è una scrittrice che adoro, comprato per un regalo. Arrivato nei tempi, tutto perfetto
Y**J
Reliable
Fantastic
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