MY JOURNEY WITH MAYA

Talk show host Tavis Smiley met Maya Angelou, whom he came to call "Mother Maya," when he was a young, insecure beginner and she was an established actress, dancer, poet, and playwright. In awe of her stature and successes, Smiley found that his admiration for this remarkable woman only grew as they became friends. With enthusiasm and self-deprecating humor, Smiley offers pieces based on their private conversations as well as her lectures and poetry. They're as much about his responses to Angelou's generosity, care, and guidance as they are about her creative prowess. Smiley delivers a love song from a most devoted acolyte, but, sadly, he only reads the lyrics to--but doesn't sing--the rousing hymns they both loved. A small disappointment in an otherwise tender audio memoir. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2015]