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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
Just as interesting the third time through. This is actually a re-read of the story, I picked the wrong version last time, that past version being [b:Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave|124172|Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave|Frederick Douglass|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1175447722s/124172.jpg|1990110].
I highly recommend this as "required reading" for those interested in American history, especially antebellum and slavery history. [b:Twelve Years a Slave|18478222|Twelve Years a Slave|Solomon Northup|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1378793462s/18478222.jpg|160246] is just *brutal*. Brutal, and emotionally difficult to get through. I can see it being too much for some readers. This short narrative is a bit more clinical (or perhaps Mr. Douglass's experience was just different from Mr. Northup's. Mr. Douglass discusses more the way forward (at the time) as well as the bigger picture of slavery, while 12 Years is meant to show the horrors of the institution itself.
I highly recommend this as "required reading" for those interested in American history, especially antebellum and slavery history. [b:Twelve Years a Slave|18478222|Twelve Years a Slave|Solomon Northup|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1378793462s/18478222.jpg|160246] is just *brutal*. Brutal, and emotionally difficult to get through. I can see it being too much for some readers. This short narrative is a bit more clinical (or perhaps Mr. Douglass's experience was just different from Mr. Northup's. Mr. Douglass discusses more the way forward (at the time) as well as the bigger picture of slavery, while 12 Years is meant to show the horrors of the institution itself.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Simple, but incredibly vivid, and so well-written. I genuinely believe every American should be required to read this.
Le témoignage autobiographique de la vie de Frederick Douglass, né esclave sur une plantation du Maryland est un incontournable des Slave Narratives. Un parcours extraordinaire de "maître en maître", pourtant quotidien de nombreux esclaves, entre violence gratuite et apprentissage par divers subterfuge de la lecture et de l'écriture. Cette vision de l'intérieur du système aberrant de l'esclavage est exposée de manière tellement simple qu'il n'en est que plus horrifiant.
Le plus intéressant concerne toute la rhétorique sur la nécessité de maintenir les esclaves dans l'ignorance pour pour favoriser et préserver un système déshumanisant basé sur la terreur, l'exploitation et l'injustice. Également passionnant, la choquante justification religieuse des propriétaires de plantations dans le sud et le paradoxe de la religion en terre d'esclavage... Douglass ajoute d'ailleurs un court chapitre de clôture désirant expliquer pourquoi il peut apparaître comme sans respect pour la religion. Ce qui n'est pas le cas, puisqu'il explique sa différenciation de la religion mascarade des esclavagistes et la religion chrétienne elle-même.
Un petit livre à ne pas manquer, droit au but, dont simplicité apparente du témoignage ne met que plus en évidence la complexité de l'esprit de l'auteur et son questionnement constant face à la condition qui a longtemps été la sienne et celle de millions d'autres.
Le plus intéressant concerne toute la rhétorique sur la nécessité de maintenir les esclaves dans l'ignorance pour pour favoriser et préserver un système déshumanisant basé sur la terreur, l'exploitation et l'injustice. Également passionnant, la choquante justification religieuse des propriétaires de plantations dans le sud et le paradoxe de la religion en terre d'esclavage... Douglass ajoute d'ailleurs un court chapitre de clôture désirant expliquer pourquoi il peut apparaître comme sans respect pour la religion. Ce qui n'est pas le cas, puisqu'il explique sa différenciation de la religion mascarade des esclavagistes et la religion chrétienne elle-même.
Un petit livre à ne pas manquer, droit au but, dont simplicité apparente du témoignage ne met que plus en évidence la complexité de l'esprit de l'auteur et son questionnement constant face à la condition qui a longtemps été la sienne et celle de millions d'autres.
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Entering my civil war history era, listened at work this week. Every American needs to read this.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
for a famous orator, this book is remarkably short. only the important stuff... but fascinating!
I wanted more! I didn’t realise this only covered his life until his escape from slavery. I wanted to find out how to live after bondage
Regardless, a powerful narrative, especially the parts about the importance of education and reading in resistance and freedom. Sometimes I question why I spend so much of my life staring at blocks of paper (and then I stop for a while, wonder why my life is so much less meaningful and why I am so passive, and remember why I read)
Regardless, a powerful narrative, especially the parts about the importance of education and reading in resistance and freedom. Sometimes I question why I spend so much of my life staring at blocks of paper (and then I stop for a while, wonder why my life is so much less meaningful and why I am so passive, and remember why I read)
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Had to read this for one of my lit classes and it was great. Douglass’ prose is incredibly descriptive and poetic at times. This was a heartbreaking, difficult narrative, but watching Douglass write his younger self from an older perspective is incredibly intriguing. Many great quotes in this narrative.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
An important part of the cannon of American history. So grateful to his family for creating this special bicentennial edition and ensuring that Americans continue to celebrate his legacy. This history cannot be forgotten or erased.