Book Review: Song of My Life

Book: Song of My Life: A Biography of Margaret Walker by Carolyn J. Brown

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: November 1, 2014

Description:

Margaret Walker (1915-1998) has been described as "the most famous person nobody knows." This is a shocking oversight of an award-winning poet, novelist, essayist, educator, and activist as well as friend and mentor to many prominent African American writers. "Song of My Life" reintroduces Margaret Walker to readers by telling her story, one that many can relate to as she overcame certain obstacles related to race, gender, and poverty.

Walker was born in 1915 in Birmingham, Alabama, to two parents who prized education above all else. Obtaining that education was not easy for either her parents or herself, but Walker went on to earn both her Master's and Doctorate from the University of Iowa. Walker's journey to become a nationally known writer and educator is an incredible story of hard work and perseverance. Her years as a public figure connected her to Richard Wright, Langston Hughes, Alex Haley and a host of other important literary and historical figures.

This biography opens with her family and those who inspired her -- her parents, her grandmother, her most important teachers and mentors -- all significant influences on her reading and writing life. Chapters trace her path over the course of the twentieth century as she travels to Chicago and becomes a member of the South Side Writers' Group with Richard Wright. Then she is accepted into the newly created Masters of Fine Arts Program at the University of Iowa. Back in the South, she pursued and achieved her dream of becoming a writer and college educator as well as wife and mother. Walker struggled to support herself, her sister, and later her husband and children, but she overcame financial hardships, prejudice, and gender bias and achieved great success. She penned the acclaimed novel "Jubilee ," received numerous lifetime achievement awards, and was a beloved faculty member for three decades at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi.



Rating: 5 stars

Review:

I have to agree with the statement above about how Margaret Walker is "the most famous person nobody knows". Even though I consider myself to be well read (whatever that really means) I was surprised that I had not heard of Margaret Walker. I know there are so many authors and writers that I have not heard of but that doesn't stop me from trying to read various works from many authors.

After reading the description for this book, I knew I had to read it. And after reading the book, I can't believe that despite all the amazing things Margaret Walker had accomplished that she was not as well known as she should be. She was a college professor, an author, a speaker, a poet and a life long learner and not to mention she wanted to promote education. She had won numerous awards and honors and even has buildings and a street named after her. So, why is she not well known?

As far as biographies go this was very interesting because it was based on an unfinished autobiography that Walker had been writing. I like that the author didn't just rehash Walker's words but really did research to provide the reader with wonderful and in-depth information. You get a good look into the life of Margaret Walker.

I found it hard to understand the information surrounding her lawsuit against the plagiarizing of her book Jubilee against a well known author. Even with all the information Walker and her lawyer provided there is no way that she should have lost that suit. Although she didn't win the lawsuit it did enlighten her about the way the legal system works.

This is a good book and not just for writers but for anyone who love to read a good biography or who has a love of learning. It's definitely worth reading.