Until I read over 50 pages of the book, I didn’t realize what was so uncomfortable about the read. There was something off-putting about the book I couldn’t get my finger on and forced me to read more and research more about the book. Maya Angelou was 81 years old when this book was published. That’s 81 years of wisdom she is trying to impart to her readers, which is a good idea. Unfortunately, the book reads like 150 pages of preaching, of someone lecturing me on the rights and the wrongs with an insufferable tone of; having gone through it all’ and knowing it all. I’m certain these stories could still be looked at for inspiration from someone who has seen more of the world than I have but the tone and communication of it leave much to be desired. I also noticed the innumerable ‘humble brags’ littered around the book in completely unnecessary places, and perhaps that added to the fire. Here are the opening lines of three such opening lines in chapters:

“Many years have passed since the American Film Institute gave a tribute to William Wyler, one of Hollywood’s most prolific and prestigious directors. I, as a member of the Board of Trustees, was asked to participate in the ceremony… Of course I was flattered by the invitation and I accepted.”

“Recently I had an appointment with four television producers who wanted my permission to produce a short story I had written.”

“In the early seventies I was invited to speak at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem…”

I’m not sure about you, but for me this read was quite intolerable and I was glad for the short text.

Ever since I read Hornyby’s Polysyllabic Spree I’ve tried to stay away from reads I didn’t enjoy, but this one was short and I had to figure out everything I despised about it and rationalize my hatred. I would strongly encourage you to stay away from this read if you have anything else on your read list. This one might be worth the least of them all.

– Swathi Chandrasekaran
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