Not until earlier this year had I become a fan of Maya Angelou's writing. In actuality I didn't really sit down to read one of her books until February. I was hooked after reading All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes. I, as I imagine many people may be, was more familiar with her poetry, mostly pieces which that have become over recited and trite. Anyway, while at Barnes and Noble, I picked up a copy of her latest book, Letter to My Daughter. It was a great read. Angelou, who is mother to only one son, decided to write a book, kind of a guide to life for the daughter(s) she never had. In the book she shares some life experiences, including the events surrounding the conception of her son, Guy (interesting). She also shares poetry. What I love about the book is that at the end of each chapter (lesson) Angelou doesn't slap the reader in the face with the "moral of the story." She simply tells the experience and leaves the interpretation, some of which is pretty obvious, to the reader. She doesn't insult the reader's intelligence. From a writer's standpoint I am in love with her style (I'd love to pick her brain one day). Angelou's lyric style is poetic (duh, she is a poet). But really, her descriptions of people, places, and ideas are novel. They're borrowed from no one or nowhere. It's beautiful. She challenges me as a writer to stretch my mind and coin new phrases, to make my words fit my experiences and not my experiences fit my words. OK, enough of my rambling. If you love raw yet sophisticated writing, pick up a copy of Letter and enjoy. I did.
