65 pages • 2 hours read
Maya AngelouThe Heart of a Woman
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1981A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Heart of a Woman is the fourth installment of Maya Angelou’s autobiographical series, focusing on her life from 1957 to 1962. The narrative follows Angelou as she moves from California to New York, Egypt, and Ghana while raising her teenage son, embarking on her writing career, and engaging in civil rights activism. The book also explores her complex relationship with South African freedom fighter Vusumzi Make. The text contains references to racial and gender-based discrimination, which some readers may find distressing.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou is lauded for its lyrical prose and profound insight into the author’s experiences in mid-20th century America. Reviewers praise its vivid portrayals and emotional depth, but some note a lack of narrative cohesion. Overall, Angelou's work is recognized for its historical significance and powerful storytelling.
Who Should Read The Heart of a Woman?
Readers who relish deeply personal and transformative memoirs like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou or The Color Purple by Alice Walker will find The Heart of a Woman compelling. It's perfect for those drawn to stories of resilience, empowerment, and the African American experience during the Civil Rights Movement.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
870LBook Details
Gender / Feminism
Civil Rights / Jim Crow
Race / Racism
Relationships: Mothers
Identity: Race
Self Discovery
American Literature
Classic Fiction
Biography