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midwifereading's review against another edition
3.0
This is a straightforward, blunt narrative, and well worth reading. It is honest and moving, and obviously not written by a professional author. It is a man speaking from his heart, in the most practical, clear, and genuine language he could.
There is really not much to say about it, except that I am glad I read it.
There is really not much to say about it, except that I am glad I read it.
nickscoby's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't seen the movie and I've avoided the book. Like, actively avoided because I just couldn't deal. So with great hesitancy and dread I started reading, pausing quite often in the early chapters because while I knew that Northup was "only" 12 years a slave, I couldn't imagine getting through the first year. I just didn't know what awaited. How the narrative not only maintains his dignity but his integrity, anger, and humanity. Although the narrative upholds the Sentimental treatment of the day, Northup is surprisingly critical of slavery and American justice and takes a few jabs at Uncle Tom's Cabin, as well. The tale is suspenseful and detailed where it needs to be (i.e., describing a slave's day to day life) and modest and respectful in other moments (i.e., sexual assault is clear but not sensationalized). Overall, anyone, particularly African Americans, ought be PROUD of Northup, who is simply, a total bad ass. At the same time, we are left reminded of tender Patsey, who did not have the privilege of breaking free. Now that I have concluded this text, I no longer want to see the film, so that I can cherish the narrative in my memory. Bravo.
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
"This is no fiction, no exaggeration"
This is powerful, maddeningly brutal, heartfelt and hard to forget.
I've put off reading this for several months, knowing the content from the Oscar-winning film. Actually, it wasn't as hard to read as I'd feared, but scenes will linger for me.
I've read The Long Song, Chains, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Beloved. Solomon made it more real for me, the husband and father doing what he can to get home.
His writing style is very much of the period, which I don't have issues with, though some descriptions of farming procedures held little interest in the context of the book for me.
Some of the more shocking scenes were actually those in which slaves are 'granted' three days holiday for Christmas, treated to sumptuous meals and dances by their usually whip-wielding 'masters'. The enjoyment and laughter resulting had me in floods of angry tears.
Solomon wisely state facts and leaves opinion to us his readers. The actions of the participants speak for themselves. Bass I would want awarding medals. To stand out against public opinion and speak as he did - commendable.
It's a book that by rights should be reqiired reading by every secondary school student in the UK and USA. More than textbooks, films, question sheets, students will be forcsped to think about what nations did in their past, what happens when greed trumps humanity.
Not a book you will enjoy but one you won't regret letting into your conscience.
This is powerful, maddeningly brutal, heartfelt and hard to forget.
I've put off reading this for several months, knowing the content from the Oscar-winning film. Actually, it wasn't as hard to read as I'd feared, but scenes will linger for me.
I've read The Long Song, Chains, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Beloved. Solomon made it more real for me, the husband and father doing what he can to get home.
His writing style is very much of the period, which I don't have issues with, though some descriptions of farming procedures held little interest in the context of the book for me.
Some of the more shocking scenes were actually those in which slaves are 'granted' three days holiday for Christmas, treated to sumptuous meals and dances by their usually whip-wielding 'masters'. The enjoyment and laughter resulting had me in floods of angry tears.
Solomon wisely state facts and leaves opinion to us his readers. The actions of the participants speak for themselves. Bass I would want awarding medals. To stand out against public opinion and speak as he did - commendable.
It's a book that by rights should be reqiired reading by every secondary school student in the UK and USA. More than textbooks, films, question sheets, students will be forcsped to think about what nations did in their past, what happens when greed trumps humanity.
Not a book you will enjoy but one you won't regret letting into your conscience.
pagesofkim's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book because it captivated me and was difficult to put down. It is a poignant, first hand account of a slave's life in the 1830's. It often made me cringe, the horrifying mistreatment that one cannot even fathom unless witnessing it firsthand. Such a good book that is difficult to forget!
votesforwomen's review against another edition
Wow. Just wow.
RTC when I've thought about it a little bit more O_O
RTC when I've thought about it a little bit more O_O
havanahanson's review against another edition
4.0
Incredibly story, and for a narrative written in the 1800’s it’s still easy to follow and comprehend. The only discretion I have is that it didn’t feel as if twelve years had passed. Not that I expected the author to detail every moment of his twelve years, but there was an eight year time jump without any real detail.
saritaroth's review against another edition
3.0
I did enjoy this book somewhat or rather I was pulled in by the heartbreaking true story of Solomon Northup. Northup was a free man living in the North who ends up being kidnapped and sold into slavery. He is forced to leave behind his wife and two children and is not returned to them until twelve years later when he is finally rescued by friends. In the meantime, those twelve years are spent in utter degradation and unspeakable violence. Slavery alone is a terrifying atrocity, but the fact that a free man can be made to suffer the same kind of torture at the hands of madmen as a slave can is a travesty. Although, as I said, the book was boring in parts, I think I would recommend it if only so that you can educate yourself further about one of America's most damning institutions in history.
This story was also made into a movie that actually won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong'o as Patsey), and Best Adapted Screenplay. The movie also starred Benedict Cumberbatch as the benevolent plantation boss, Ford, and Michael Fassbender as the sadistic plantation boss, Epps. The two bosses, Ford and Epps, showed the true dichotomy between the two different styles of managing slaves. Chiwetel Ejiofor was cast in the role of Solomon Northup and, although both he and Michael Fassbender were nominated for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively, neither gentleman won. In the important areas, the movie and book were very similar; there were only a couple small differences in the storyline. The movie also cut short the descriptions of how to harvest cane and cotton, a fact that I much appreciated.
This story was also made into a movie that actually won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong'o as Patsey), and Best Adapted Screenplay. The movie also starred Benedict Cumberbatch as the benevolent plantation boss, Ford, and Michael Fassbender as the sadistic plantation boss, Epps. The two bosses, Ford and Epps, showed the true dichotomy between the two different styles of managing slaves. Chiwetel Ejiofor was cast in the role of Solomon Northup and, although both he and Michael Fassbender were nominated for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively, neither gentleman won. In the important areas, the movie and book were very similar; there were only a couple small differences in the storyline. The movie also cut short the descriptions of how to harvest cane and cotton, a fact that I much appreciated.
lazy_raven's review against another edition
5.0
Its a must read. Its a heavy hitter emotionally but very good