Book Thoughts: "Even the Stars Look Lonesome" by Maya Angelou

Even The Stars Look Lonesome by Maya Angelou
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first time I have read any book by Maya Angelou since high school (which is more years ago than I wish to admit), though I have read an occasionally essay over the years. This book, wihc was a collection of short essays that relays moments of her life, reminded me of why Angelou, as a writer, sticks with you. Her language is beautiful and intimate; she draws in a reader and makes you feel like a personal friend, while making insights about life, character, and spirituality deserving of a wide reading.

In particular, her last essay, the title essay if you will, Angelou speaks to the power of silence and solitude in way worthy of remembrance:

"We need to remember and to teach our children that solitude can be a much-to-be-desired condition. Not only is it acceptable to be alone, at times it is positively to be wished for.

"It is in the interludes between being in company that we talk to ourselves. In the silence we listen to ourselves. Then we ask questions of ourselves. We describe ourselves to ourselves, and in the quietude we may even hear the voice of God."

Short essays, beautiful language, thought-provoking and insightful; glad I took the time to pick up Angelou after all these years and read her again.

View all my reviews