Take a photo of a barcode or cover
1.46k reviews for:
Twelve Years a Slave: Including; Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Solomon Northup, Frederick Douglass
4.23 AVERAGE
1.46k reviews for:
Twelve Years a Slave: Including; Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Solomon Northup, Frederick Douglass
4.23 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
This is such a powerful memoir written by a black free man that was kidnapped and sold into slavery. It is his story of courage, persistence and hope.
I rewatched the movie and still can't believe this was allowed to happen - probably many, many times while slavery was legal in the south and illegal in the north. What a horrible tale.
fast-paced
Amazing book that goes through a man who was unrightfully made a slave. It is a story that is heart breaking, captivating and extremely endearing. I went into this book with an intention to learn more about slavery, and so I did. The writing style as well as the immense detail Solomon Northup presents us with is astonishing. It takes you through the events and doesn’t present any opinions of his own, but provides a recount of all he experienced to allow us to make our own judgement on slavery. Never once did I feel bored when reading this nor unengaged. Some of the characters evoke a keen sense of misery and melancholy because of the unexpurgated way Northup writes.
There are many inhumane accounts in this book, but the strength and will of a person to override the noted inhumane treatment and dismal situation outshine the horrors presented. Reading Mr. Northup's account was simply riveting. To remember all of this for years without writing it down is amazing. He articulates with such skill that I could not pull away from this book.
Listened to this as an audiobook. Narration was perfect as you get to feel the anger, despair, and joy Solomon went through during his years forced into slavery. This was a very insightful book, and I highly recommend it.
Too often America’s past is sanitized and generalized almost to the point of being meaningless. But this book brings a horrible chapter of America to a personal level. Not typically a book I would read, as I generally like fictional stories. But I learned so much of how people of color were captured and sold into slavery. Along with how the plantations operated. The barbarity of it all is detailed with nothing left out. I am so glad Mr. Northup was able to get his freedom back and tell his tale.
Too often America’s past is sanitized and generalized almost to the point of being meaningless. But this book brings a horrible chapter of America to a personal level. Not typically a book I would read, as I generally like fictional stories. But I learned so much of how people of color were captured and sold into slavery. Along with how the plantations operated. The barbarity of it all is detailed with nothing left out. I am so glad Mr. Northup was able to get his freedom back and tell his tale.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
Wow, just wow. Quite a heart wrenching account of a man striped of his freedom and sold into slavery. Very sad but good to read! Would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery
Minor: Violence
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced