Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Moving on to Maya

Whooooo! I finally finished Bebebebebebebe Moore's Sweet Summer (you need to read it to know). It was such a well-written and poignant book. Very funny too! The very first time I saw it, I passed over it. I can't remember why. I guess I just wasn't in the mood for a memoir at the time.

Bebe Campbell Moore (at least her younger self) just seemed so spunky and full of fun. I will definitely hunt for more of her work.

Now, I'm starting on A Song Flung Up to Heaven by Maya Angelou. This will be the last in her autobiography series for me to read. I stumbled upon her books in the university library about 10 years ago. It's funny, for at least the first year I only associated the library with academic books. One day it occured to me that the same library had to be catering to the Literature students too (duh!) and so I explored. I discovered a veritable treasure of books that had me bucking with excitement. There were books from Commonwealth countries and I discovered "Post-Colonial Literature." For a while, these were the only books I checked out. I especially enjoyed books by Caribbean authors, because until then, I had not read much from that part of the world.

And then one day, I found I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. I tore through the library's Maya Angelou collection after that. My favourite was (and still is) All God's Children Need Travelling Shoes. Let's see if this one beats that.

Oh, I just checked and realised that I haven't read The Heart of a Woman, so I still have one more in the series to go after Song.

8 comments:

Pilgrimage to Self said...

I ordered, recieved and have had the complete collection of Maya's autobiography(ies) sitting by my bed for the last three months (they have all been put into one book and its HUGE!!)and haven't even opened up page one. I just haven't had the time but after reading this post I think I'll dust it off when I get back home today.

internationalhome said...

I had to read Maya Angelou's Books while i worked in Lagos for a firm in Ikoyi and i was tempted to review them as made up and fictitious, surely none of these could have happened to this woman for real....
i read them again and i realise how strong the woman was/is and best of all, how factual she is. She has influenced my writing style and i agree with you ore, the best of all was the all god's children need travelling shoes...only thing is i left my copy in my work desk when i quit for uni!

ayoke said...

I digress from the post...

Just came across your photo on Page 50, THISDAY in relation to the anti-corruption essay. Didn't know you had an interest in that. That's good to hear. My dissertation was on anti-corruption.

Pilgrimage to Self said...

@Ayoke/Ore: can i find the This Day article anywhere online? Would love to read it.

I googled it but found nothing. But hey Ore, you've done some interesting things with your life - you're all over google. Well done you!!

Ore said...

Thanks for the kind words, Pilgrimage! This Day puts their articles online I think, so you might find it on their site in a day or two.

Ayoke, how did you know that was me? Or do we know each other in real life? My CD group is anti-corruption, so that's why we chose to organise the essay comp. Well, it's no surprise to me that you are very interested in, from your blog entries.

So, back to Maya Angelou......I agree with you, My talking beginnings. I also wondered how all those things could have happened to one woman. Her life has certainly been colourful and flowing to the brim. And I love the way she can be so philosophical in the face of adversity and pull out some wise saying of her grandmother that fits the situation to the tee.

It was actually partly reading through her autobios, that made me decide to start journaling again. There's just so much that I didn't want to forget about my life. I always think I never will, but inevitably, I find that I do forget things.

ayoke said...

Well, isn't this as real as life can be? :)

On a serious note, no. We do not know each other in real life.

Ore said...

LOL! Yes, I guess for those of us who practically live online this is an extension of RL.

internationalhome said...

Yes oh!