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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking
Moderate: Rape
Disclaimer: Picked up free via kindle. Reading group guide version.
Many times in American schools when it comes to discussing slavery and literature, the only two authors that are mentioned are Frederick Douglas and Harriet Breecher Stowe. Sometimes Booker T. Washington might be mentioned.
It’s a shame that this narrative is not more widely used in schools. Hopefully, the movie will change this.
Northup’s brief narrative of his years of slavery, a result of being sold even though he was born free, is compelling not so much for his writing style, but because he doesn’t hold back, at least not in the ways that one would think. The dangers and harshness that women slaves faced is actually dealt with rather well. This occurs in the story of three women – a mother, her daughter, and Patsy – a slave out the plantation of Epps. Northup conveys exactly what is going to happen to the daughter, Emily – her being sold as a concubine, the fate of her mother, and the situation of Patsy – raped (Northup uses the term lust on the behalf of Epps) by her master and abused by her mistress. Considering the time when Northup is writing his descriptions of these dynamics are rather blunt.
It is true that some debate surrounds his use of Ford (portrayed as a “kind” master), and even with masters that are not as satanic as Epps, Northup never lets the reader forget that owning is just simply wrong, regardless of the type of master. Because of Northup’s kidnapping, the narrative also shows that slavery did not just effect those in the South, but those free, born free even, in the North who were at risk of illegally losing their freedom.
The book contains a discussion of various methods used in planting and harvesting as well as the life of a slave. Every American should read this, considering it’s available for ereaders for free.
Crossposted at Booklikes.
Many times in American schools when it comes to discussing slavery and literature, the only two authors that are mentioned are Frederick Douglas and Harriet Breecher Stowe. Sometimes Booker T. Washington might be mentioned.
It’s a shame that this narrative is not more widely used in schools. Hopefully, the movie will change this.
Northup’s brief narrative of his years of slavery, a result of being sold even though he was born free, is compelling not so much for his writing style, but because he doesn’t hold back, at least not in the ways that one would think. The dangers and harshness that women slaves faced is actually dealt with rather well. This occurs in the story of three women – a mother, her daughter, and Patsy – a slave out the plantation of Epps. Northup conveys exactly what is going to happen to the daughter, Emily – her being sold as a concubine, the fate of her mother, and the situation of Patsy – raped (Northup uses the term lust on the behalf of Epps) by her master and abused by her mistress. Considering the time when Northup is writing his descriptions of these dynamics are rather blunt.
It is true that some debate surrounds his use of Ford (portrayed as a “kind” master), and even with masters that are not as satanic as Epps, Northup never lets the reader forget that owning is just simply wrong, regardless of the type of master. Because of Northup’s kidnapping, the narrative also shows that slavery did not just effect those in the South, but those free, born free even, in the North who were at risk of illegally losing their freedom.
The book contains a discussion of various methods used in planting and harvesting as well as the life of a slave. Every American should read this, considering it’s available for ereaders for free.
Crossposted at Booklikes.
It is a true story of a free man who is forced into slavery. Solomon Northup was born and brought up in Saratoga County, New York, married to Anne, and had three children. He was tricked by two men named Brown and Hamilton, they kidnapped him and sold in Washington. He was a slave for 12 years under different masters. One of them is Edwin Epps, who is a drunkard and has no humanity. He was merciless, and for his entertainment, he beats the slaves to death.
In the words of the author, my back is thick with scars for protesting my freedom. They didn't only steal his freedom but everything he stands for. When he tried to tell the truth, he was beaten ruthlessly. They changed his name to Platt and sold to a far land where he has to accept his destiny and hides the truth in order to survive. He knows if he ever utters a single word and tells anybody that he is a free man, his master will kill him. So, he does all the hard work and endures beatings like every other slave.
All the slaves feared their masters, but Solomon sometimes gets an eye-to-eye that nearly costs him his life many times. He still hoped to be free again and return to his family. He laid out plans to escape, also tried to contact his friends and family. But he got betrayed, and the hope is diminishing day by day. Until a savior came to his life and made a mission to reach Solomon's family so they can rescue him.
Solomon Northup obtained freedom in January 1853 and wrote this book the same year, which is considered as the best slave narrative of all time. This novel gives insight into the slavery practice, judicial authorities of different states, inhumane punishments for black people. The author also accords the treatment towards other slaves; he witnessed in those 12 years. It is a heart-wrenching story, and one of the best classics I've ever read. Without a doubt, pick this book and read it asap.
Read more here - https://www.bookscharming.com/
In the words of the author, my back is thick with scars for protesting my freedom. They didn't only steal his freedom but everything he stands for. When he tried to tell the truth, he was beaten ruthlessly. They changed his name to Platt and sold to a far land where he has to accept his destiny and hides the truth in order to survive. He knows if he ever utters a single word and tells anybody that he is a free man, his master will kill him. So, he does all the hard work and endures beatings like every other slave.
All the slaves feared their masters, but Solomon sometimes gets an eye-to-eye that nearly costs him his life many times. He still hoped to be free again and return to his family. He laid out plans to escape, also tried to contact his friends and family. But he got betrayed, and the hope is diminishing day by day. Until a savior came to his life and made a mission to reach Solomon's family so they can rescue him.
Solomon Northup obtained freedom in January 1853 and wrote this book the same year, which is considered as the best slave narrative of all time. This novel gives insight into the slavery practice, judicial authorities of different states, inhumane punishments for black people. The author also accords the treatment towards other slaves; he witnessed in those 12 years. It is a heart-wrenching story, and one of the best classics I've ever read. Without a doubt, pick this book and read it asap.
Read more here - https://www.bookscharming.com/
Intriguing from start to finish. Well written narrative with descriptions of the brutality suffered at the hands of one particular 'master' and the 12 years Solomon Northup was held captive on a Louisiana cotton plantation. Well worth the read, particularly the 19th C. prose and which I highly recommend.
emotional
reflective
sad
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
I have a hard time rating memoirs, because it's a person's life, and how can that be rated? So, when I rate memoirs I try to focus more on the writing and the lesson. Well, the writing challenged me at times, but that's because of the time period it was written in.
So, the lesson. Slavery is bad. (Fortunately I already knew that.) But of course it's different reading about it in the words from someone who was enslaved. Someone who had their freedom stolen from them, was sold like chattel, was treated worse than livestock, who was whipped and forced to whip others, who witnessed children stolen from their mothers, and was beaten, abused, starved, disparaged. At the end, Northrup writes that he has "no comments to make upon the subject of slavery," despite having written a book that is one long comment on slavery.
So, the lesson. Slavery is bad. (Fortunately I already knew that.) But of course it's different reading about it in the words from someone who was enslaved. Someone who had their freedom stolen from them, was sold like chattel, was treated worse than livestock, who was whipped and forced to whip others, who witnessed children stolen from their mothers, and was beaten, abused, starved, disparaged. At the end, Northrup writes that he has "no comments to make upon the subject of slavery," despite having written a book that is one long comment on slavery.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture