Reviews with content warning for Slavery - Uncle Tom's Cabin

Tom is a believable character, his piousness never seems completely unbelievable.

The examination of Christianity (or rather the church) as both a force for supporting and defeating slavery is remarkably nuanced. As is the distribution of the blame for slavery, which is placed on the north as well as the south. In fact, the north is at times criticized more heavily for it's role in slavery than the south, because it doesn't have the cultural and habitual excuse to fall back upon, and supports the trade through financial means while condemning it verbally.

Eva's death is very sad, and St Lawrence's death seems a bit forced/rushed but necessary for the plot. It seems there could have been a better way to kill him off

The subplot of George & Co's escape seems to get dropped after the first third of the book. In my opinion too much time at the start is spent on this subplot, compared to how much it gives at the end in return

George's desire to move to Liberia and the discussion of nationalism at the end is very interesting

The only character that feels excessively unbalanced is Marie St Lawrence, who is entirely unlikeable without a single redeeming quality.

The end feels rushed and a little bit "happily ever after", but the purpose of the book has already been served so it's ok

The everpresent "life goes in tedium after events of tragedy and excitement" motif is very well done. After nearly every event, we are reminded of the tedium and toil of everyday life in a masterful way.

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impla77's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Yes this is melodramatic, overly sentimental and seeped in the prejudices of its kind, but its also deeply moving and compassionate. I cant speak to how influential this was in the historical record, but it still packs a powerful punch now.

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kat1105's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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saradorris90's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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aqtbenz's review against another edition

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challenging informative sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No

3.0

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kerrence30's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

My preconceived notions of this book were found to be unjustified. Although the nature of the story is hugely challenging the main concept is thoroughly discussed in the conversations between characters and helps to educate on the variety of mindsets from the time. There is no possible defence for the historical wrongdoing to the enslaved black in America, and this novel really highlights a series of lived experiences which is lost or forgotten in today’s world. It is undeniably a tough read, but one worth partaking, particularly by those not POC, if nothing else to educate and humble.

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trippalli's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A realistic and challenging historic fiction about slavery based on real stories and real people, their suffering and the cruelty of slavery. The need for people to work together to overcome social wrongs like the horrible historic truth of slavery is evident. The uplifting effect of religion and reading for the slaves is throughout the story a continuous hopefulness for the people suffering in the stories herein

Content Warnings

rory1387's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

if you have the choice, don’t read this book.
I got it for free from the library and I want my money back.
This book presented the idea that some slavers were good, or at least “less bad” than other. While I of course understand there was a spectrum of the cruelty and mistreatment of enslaved folks, Stowe romanticizes “good slavery” (ie, white people who don’t want to lose money from the emancipation of their slaves). Additionally, despite many interpreters of the novel arguing otherwise, the majority of the novel was centered on religion, rather than race or slavery. And Stowe can’t even present Black people normally in that context; she infantilizes the heck out of her characters, including the ones who are fully grown adults, presenting them all as simple, religious people prone to violent outbursts.

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