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Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano: Written by Himself by Robert J. Allison, Olaudah Equiano
4 reviews
danparrock's review against another edition
slow-paced
I feel awful writing this about someone's actual account of being enslaved, but this was just boring.
Equiano spends so much time talking about boats. I feel as if there is a difference between not wanting to relay the trauma of slavery for the reader, and just not discussing it for most of the book. He constantly writes favourably about the people who are literally enslaving him; bad things tend to only be done by the random racists he encounters.
Towards the end he becomes really self-righteous about his faith, which I felt really uncomfortable about.
Equiano spends so much time talking about boats. I feel as if there is a difference between not wanting to relay the trauma of slavery for the reader, and just not discussing it for most of the book. He constantly writes favourably about the people who are literally enslaving him; bad things tend to only be done by the random racists he encounters.
Towards the end he becomes really self-righteous about his faith, which I felt really uncomfortable about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Slavery, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Colonisation and Violence
thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Murder, Racism, Slavery, Religious bigotry, Kidnapping, and Child abuse
samchase112's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
My life had lost its relish when liberty was gone.
Olaudah Equiano is one of the most important figures in the history of the dissolution of slavery and the slave trade, and his Interesting Narrative of the Life provides the format for that movement's most important books. Its contents and aim I believe has been gone over enough; what I want to mention, and what I was most surprised to find, was Equiano's cultural descriptions of so many of the countries and continents he visited. These were extremely interesting, and so must have been to his 18th century audience. For scholars and casuals interested in the history of the slave trade, international trade, or 18th century culture, I highly recommend this fantastic book.
Olaudah Equiano is one of the most important figures in the history of the dissolution of slavery and the slave trade, and his Interesting Narrative of the Life provides the format for that movement's most important books. Its contents and aim I believe has been gone over enough; what I want to mention, and what I was most surprised to find, was Equiano's cultural descriptions of so many of the countries and continents he visited. These were extremely interesting, and so must have been to his 18th century audience. For scholars and casuals interested in the history of the slave trade, international trade, or 18th century culture, I highly recommend this fantastic book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Trafficking, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Colonisation, Kidnapping, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death, Animal death, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Rape, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol, Cannibalism, and Child death
silver_valkyrie_reads's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
medium-paced
5.0
This book has a little bit of everything. Information about Nigerian culture of the era? Check. Viscous commentary on slavery and racism? Check. Swashbuckling adventure on the high seas? Check.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading to experience different times and places.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading to experience different times and places.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Slavery, and Kidnapping
Minor: Rape, Death, Torture, and Violence
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