Letter To My Daughter

By Maya Angelou



Maya Angelou has more wit and charm in her little finger than most people have in their entire body. More importantly, she is honest. In "Letter To My Daughter," she recounts stories from her life that let the reader know no one is perfect, but there is much importance in always trying to be your best self.

She explains why there is so much value in respecting others. She expounds why it is crucial to not make assumptions about others, using her own humorous anecdotes. One particularly funny memory she shares is about an actress from Senegal named Samia. Samia and her French husband invite Maya to a dinner party at their home. As all the guests are standing around the edges of a beautiful carpet in the center of the room, Maya thinks to herself that her opinion of Samia has been lowered, due to the fact she will not allow any of her guests to walk on this beautiful carpet. Maya, in an attempt to experiment, walks across the rug again and again, pretending to admire artwork on the walls. The other guests watch her with half-smiles on their faces, and she thinks to herself that the guests "might be encouraged to admit that rugs were to be walked on." Soon after though, two maids come and roll up the rug and remove it, only to put down another equally beautiful rug. Then they put dishes and silverware and glasses on the rug. It is then that Maya realizes she has been walking across the tablecloth! Maya concludes with, "In an unfamiliar culture, it is wise to offer no innovations, no suggestions, or lessons. The epitomy of sophistication is utter simplicity."

The only drawback to "Letter To My Daughter" is that it is not longer. I could have read ten times the amount of Maya Angelou's thoughts and stories and poetry. It is uplifting and heartening. Every woman who reads this book is sure to find at least one ray of sunshine.