Thanks so much to Julie for hosting us in her beautiful house that is so comfortable and beautifully done. And to all who brought great food, thank you! Of particular note was the shrimp ball Karin brought - super yum. (Bon Aire Seafood, she says.)
Our general impressions were pretty consistent on this book - it was an impactful story, told well if a bit long and slow. What really stood out were the painful examples of white entitled prejudice against Maya Angelou and her relatives. In particular, the incidence of the poor white girls coming to her grandmother's store and ridiculing her for no good reason. That is hard to read and even harder to realize that it was considered acceptable behavior. The dentist who would borrow money, with no interest, from a black woman, then refuse to treat an extreme dental problem in her grandchild, is beyond my comprehension.
Yet that was Maya Angelou's world and in it, she developed and thrived to become a world-renown poet. This book ends with the birth of her own child when she is only 16 and there are four addional memoirs that carry on her story. That she could rise out of these circumstances is pretty remarkable.
This book works because the language and spirit lift it out of the oppresive situation of the times, and of the tragedies of Angelou's own life. It becomes a universal story that helps inspire those in their own struggles to look beyond, to hope and to find a way to succeed. I had never read this before and am glad I finally was introduced to this inspiring book.
On to our next book! June is the 10th anniversary of our book club, so we are planning to meet at the Deep Run Hunt Club for a picnic on June 13. I plan to invite everyone who has ever been part of the group, so I hope we have a good turnout.
Our next book is Commonwealth by Ann Patchett. See you all in June!
