Maya Angelou: A Critical Companion (Greenwood Press, 1998) discusses the five volumes of Angelou’s serial autobiography in an illumination of the double voiced nature of African American life and history, with focus on the role of the mother.

"A thorough introduction to Angelou's five prose autobiographies, this title is clearly set up to give readers and researchers immediate access to critical information on the works themselves....In each chapter the author brings in important comparative figures in African American literature and in autobiography, discusses the work from appropriate critical positions, and defines a multitude of terms. In addition, Lupton argues for Angelou's series as a new form of autobiography that extends traditional limitations. Experiences researchers will find that this argument and the abundance of ready material will more than make up for the repetition--the result of Lupton's largely successful attempt to make each chapter independent. Highly recommended for all academic libraries." -- Choice

Maya Angelou's five-volume autobiography transcends the autobiographical tradition, enriching it with contemporary experience, African American vision, and female sensibility. With these five books, Angelou has created a work of epic scope that covers a quarter century of American and African American history, from the beginning of World War II to the civil rights movement. These volumes stretch over time and place, from Arkansas to Africa, as Angelou grows from a confused child in a Southern town to an accomplished adult. Throughout her life journey depicted in the autobiographies, Angelou grapples with the issues of motherhood and race and reveals the struggles of being a black mother in America, extending her perspective in the fourth and fifth volumes to encompass an African setting.

A biographical chapter is enriched by an exclusive interview granted by Angelou, and a chapter on genre discusses Angelou's work in the context of the tradition of American and African American autobiography. A chapter is devoted to each of the five volumes of her serial autobiography--I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings(1970), Gather Together in My Name (1974), Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas(1976), The Heart of a Woman (1981), and All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes(1986). The discussion of each novel features sections on narrative point of view, plot development, character development, thematic issues, style and literary devices, and an alternate critical approach from which to read the work. A complete bibliography of Angelou's work, plus a list of reviews of each work and selected secondary critical and biographical sources, complete the work. This companion is ideal for students, teachers, and others interested in Maya Angelou, the African American experience, and the craft of autobiography.

"Provide[s] [an] excellent literary critique of Angelou's work...well written and beneficial...helpful for students." -- VOYA

"This title represents an important addition to a series designed to provide good introductions to works by popular authors. Lupton respects her subject and is ambitious for those users turning to the companion for information. The companion includes a good bibliography of Angelou's published work as well as references to articles about her work..."
-- American Reference Books Annual

Table of Contents
The Life and Works of Maya Angelou
The Genre of Autobiography
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1970)
Gather Together in My Name (1974)
Singing' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas (1976)
The Heart of a Woman (1981)
All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (1986)
Bibliography
Index