| Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas |  | Author: Maya Angelou
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Category: eBooks
In Stock
Rating:  13 reviews
Format: Kindle Book
Media: Kindle Edition
Pages: 320
Number Of Items: 1
Dewey Decimal Number: 818.5409
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Product Description
In this third self-contained volume of her autobiography, which began with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou moves into the adult world, and the white world as well, as she marries, enters show business, and tours Europe and Africa in Porgy and Bess.
As the book opens, Maya, in order to support herself and her young son, gets a job in a record shop run by a white woman. Suspicious of almost any kindness shown her, she is particularly confused by the special attentions of a young white customer. Soon the relationship grows into love and then marriage, and Maya believes a permanent relationship is finally possible. But it is not to be, and she is again forced to look for work.
This time she finds a job as a dancer in a sleazy San Francisco bar. Her remarkable talent, however, soon brings her attention of a different kind, and before long she is singing in one of the most popular nightclubs on the coast. From there, she is called to New York to join the cast of Porgy and Bess, which is just about to begin another tour abroad.
The troupe's joyous and dramatic adventure through Italy, France, Greece, Yugoslavia, and Egypt becomes the centerpiece of Singin' and Swingin'. This remarkable portrayal of one of the most exciting and talented casts ever put together, and of the encounters between these larger-than-life personalities and audiences who had rarely seen black people before, makes a hilarious and poignant story. The excitement of the journey -- full of camaraderie, love affairs, and memorable personalities -- is dampened only by Maya's nagging guilt that she has once again abandoned the person she loves most in life, her son.
Back home, and driven close to suicide by her guilt and concern, she takes her son with her to Hawaii, where she discovers that devotion and love, in spite of forced absence, have the power to heal and sustain.
As always, Maya Angelou's writing is charged with that remarkable sense of life and love and unique celebration of the human condition that have won her such a loyal following.
From the Hardcover edition.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 13
 Gracious July 26, 2000
Maurice Williams (Chicago, IL USA)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
A very pleasant read. There's nothing like traveling Europe and Africa by way of Angelou's memory and experience (if you can't get there personally). This autobiography covers the time Maya spent with the Porgy and Bess opera. I'm always amazed at the elegant, graceful and poetic way the author tells her life story. I'm even more amazed at how those same characteristics are exhibited in her speech, her stature, and her aura. This is a quick read that is sure to inspire. Angelou has a way of sharing wisdom and experience in a manner that connects with most any reader. Add this one to your list and be sure to check out some of her audiotapes as well. The only thing better than reading Maya's work, is listening to Maya read her work.
Candid autobiography. November 5, 2002
Luc REYNAERT (Beernem, Belgium)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Maya Angelou tells us without restraint how she crawled out of the hell of her youth years to become a star dancer.
Vivid decription of the situation of the African Americans and their mentality in the middle of last century.
Evocative language, sharp, intelligent and fluent.
A book to recommend.
An Important Chapter in Maya's memoirs September 2, 1998
In "Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas" I found myself completely rooting for Maya and again was drawn into her memoirs completely. I've read all 5 volumes. I still cannot say that I have a favorite but I must say that this certainly important reading. If you've never read anything by Maya Angelou this is as good a place to start as any.
I can not believe how adventurous her life has been. February 4, 1998
Maya Angelou inspires many with her writings.
She takes her life and spins it into a tale of inspiration and adventure.
She talks about her marriage, singing career and the part her son played in her life.
She motivates people to take opportunity when it knocks on the door.
Enjoyable reading!!! November 13, 1998
As Maya continues her autobiography, I like Maya's writing style as she relates her story in an honest and humorous way. One can clearly see from her writings that she has weathered some storms. God bless you, Maya.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 13
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