Phenomenal Woman

by Maya Angelou

Book Overview

Phenomenal Woman is a phenomenal poem that speaks to us of where we are as women at the dawn of a new century. In a clear voice, Maya Angelou vividly reminds us of our towering strength and beauty. Here is a poem that radiates wisdom and conviction, renewing our belief in the glory and tender mercies of our gender. Married to the extraordinary paintings Paul Gauguin, this book becomes a visionary commemoration of all that is wondrous in women. Gauguin painted women with exuberance and joy, reveling in their strength and beauty. His portraits are of women of color, women of power, women who gaze out at the viewer with the same quiet resolve and inner mystery that Angelou celebrates in her poem. Though Gauguin died twenty-five years before Angelou was born and these two artists lived very different lives in very different cultures, their work coalesces perfectly in this one glorious volume. Here is the ultimate gift for the phenomenal woman in your life--wife, lover, relative, teacher, friend. There's hardly a woman alive today who will not relate to the words of the poet Maya Angelou and the images of painter Paul Gauguin.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375504060
• ISBN13: 9780375504068
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Random House
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.49 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.4" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women

Love Ms Angelou. Brings back the memory of her doing this poem at a Poets Convention in Orlando Florida back in the late 80's.And the huge standing ovation she got from the many poets that were there from all over the world including myself.

phenomenal gift ...

Phenomenal Woman is an outstanding prose by Dr. Maya Angelou. The piece pays tribute to the indomitable spirit of the brave women ... particularly women of color who have been marginalized because of their looks. However, this book is enhanced by art that displays the diversity of these amazing women... and as such, I think it makes a unique gift. It is a gift that tells the women you admire that you honor them in more ways than one. It's an outstanding gift for the women who already are phenomenal... and those well on their way.

phenomenal woman

Phenomenal Woman is an AMAZING poem that has touched so many females, showing that it is not whats on the outside that counts. showing that you dont have to be pretty or skinny to be phenomenal. this poem is one of my favorites because it made me stop worrying about what people think of me. i love this poem because when i am feeling ugly or fat i can read this poem and it will make me feel so much better.

Fabulous combination of poetry and art!

What makes this book so unique and fabulous is the combination of Maya Angelou's "phenomenal poem" and Paul Gauguin's exotic paintings. It's unbelievable how well the two art forms go together. I've lost count of how many times I've read the book. I just keep going back to reread the poem and stare at the pictures. ... It's a great gift idea for a girlfriend.

The Phenomenal Woman

Maya Angelou's book "Phenomenal Woman" is a celebration of women regardless of race, creed, or color. The poems contained between the covers of this small but powerful book articulate the strength and beauty of womanhood. I display the book on my coffee table along with other books. My twelve year old niece read the book and fell in love with it. She has asked me to buy a copy for her.I will buy a copy for her and my other nieces and nephews.Maya, keep writing - you are a Queen and a "Phenomenal Woman"! Patricia McInnis