Reviews

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Ann Jacobs

gozuchoppi's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

bringlaurasnacks's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative sad medium-paced

5.0

jovanas_cloud's review against another edition

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3.0

I have a few problems with this one but mostly what could've been fixed by the editors. Now that we know all the names in this book, I don't see why they kept the made up ones because it got confusing for me to who was who. Was it aunt Betty or aunt Nancy, who was Joseph, who was William, Benjamin, what their real names were.

Second, still very much bothering me because I'm genuinely curious as to how Harriet did #1 and #2, what about when she was on her period, how did they wash her stuff without anyone noticing there was more sheets than people, how did she bathe? There's no way she stayed in the same pair of undies for seven years and did not take a shower. Please Harriet I need more details on how you lived your life in that cupboard.

Lastly, someone should've done a better job of making this easier to read. I had no problem with all the stuff that happened to her, but it just seemed to me like I read so little for so much time. I'm so thankful that Harriet shared her story even though it pained her so much to share her struggles with the whole world, but it just hurts me to see that many people would drop this book just because it's very difficult to read, maybe it's just a me problem.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed getting to know more about Harriet Jacobs and her very anxious life. I'm so glad that she exposed what had happened to her and my heart goes out to her and every other black woman who was probably in even worse situation but wasn't literate so we will never hear their struggles. I hope Harriet Jacobs is resting in peace now, bless her soul.

dustyshell's review against another edition

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5.0

Slave narratives are always difficult and meaningful to read. This one will definitely leave a mark on me. Powerfully moving and informative.

slimdot's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

namestaken's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

miss_merna's review against another edition

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5.0

This book reminds me that Disney villains are very real.

bioliz's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

4.0

lorimiller's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

ifyouhappentoremember's review against another edition

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challenging informative medium-paced

4.0

I initially picked up this book because it is a historically significant work. Harriet Jacobs wanted Northern women to fully comprehend the evils of slavery. Her narrative is tailored to spur those women into action. But, I wasn't expecting, as a modern-day reader, to get so drawn into her story. The structure of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is very similar to a modern-day memoir; the emphasis is on significant life moments and emotions rather than a matter-of-fact recounting of the author's entire life.