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lyakimov's review against another edition
3.0
This book's writing was very difficult to read consecutively. I found it so hard to want to pick this up, knowing it will take me hours to get through 30 pages.
However, the message of the book was very important and I think people should read this to fully understand the types of lives and experiences real people had and real situations people had to deal with, as many of the dialogue and events were based off real stories.
Uncle Tom is the highlight of the book, the way he affects everyone he meets, from the Shelby plantation to Legree's and all the places in between. Although he refuses to hurt anyone, his non violence does not make him a fearful, cowardly slave; in fact, it makes him even more courageous and brave. He was very inspiring, not letting go of his beliefs or his faith even when he was receiving beating after beating from Legree.
I also loved Evangeline, her devotion to Tom and the other slaves that her father owned was so touching. She was so pure-hearted and, like Tom, touched the lives of everyone she met. I see many similarities between Tom and Eva, specifically the fact that both are martyrs, both too good and too pure for their surroundings and there was no place for them to go but Heaven. Eva and Tom were by far the best and most well-written characters in the novel.
I think the book should have just ended at Master George freeing his slaves and telling them to remember Uncle Tom's cabin, without the entire 'Cassy is Eliza's mother and George's sister is alive too and everything is all fine and dandy,' there should be some things left to the imagination, like George and Eliza having free life and Cassy starting life over with Emmeline. The connected ending was weird.
It took me forever to finish this book because of the frustrating prose and my disconnection to most of the characters for a long part of the book. The ending, though, was amazing and it interested me a lot, with Tom's last stand and Cassy and Emmeline's escape plan. (I'm just going to pretend it ended at George freeing his slaves) It was super enthralling and so touching to read, because by the end I finally had emotion for the characters (at least some; only Tom and Eva and Master George). Overall, I give this book a 3.5 for not very good prose but an important message and an amazing ending for Uncle Tom and Eva.
However, the message of the book was very important and I think people should read this to fully understand the types of lives and experiences real people had and real situations people had to deal with, as many of the dialogue and events were based off real stories.
Uncle Tom is the highlight of the book, the way he affects everyone he meets, from the Shelby plantation to Legree's and all the places in between. Although he refuses to hurt anyone, his non violence does not make him a fearful, cowardly slave; in fact, it makes him even more courageous and brave. He was very inspiring, not letting go of his beliefs or his faith even when he was receiving beating after beating from Legree.
I also loved Evangeline, her devotion to Tom and the other slaves that her father owned was so touching. She was so pure-hearted and, like Tom, touched the lives of everyone she met. I see many similarities between Tom and Eva, specifically the fact that both are martyrs, both too good and too pure for their surroundings and there was no place for them to go but Heaven. Eva and Tom were by far the best and most well-written characters in the novel.
I think the book should have just ended at Master George freeing his slaves and telling them to remember Uncle Tom's cabin, without the entire 'Cassy is Eliza's mother and George's sister is alive too and everything is all fine and dandy,' there should be some things left to the imagination, like George and Eliza having free life and Cassy starting life over with Emmeline. The connected ending was weird.
It took me forever to finish this book because of the frustrating prose and my disconnection to most of the characters for a long part of the book. The ending, though, was amazing and it interested me a lot, with Tom's last stand and Cassy and Emmeline's escape plan. (I'm just going to pretend it ended at George freeing his slaves) It was super enthralling and so touching to read, because by the end I finally had emotion for the characters (at least some; only Tom and Eva and Master George). Overall, I give this book a 3.5 for not very good prose but an important message and an amazing ending for Uncle Tom and Eva.
kyop14's review against another edition
5.0
A voice on the realities of slavery, a reality ingrained mind, body, and soul. It is an undeniably thought-provoking read of the expectations of man and country. It is not what we believe, but that we believed in the first place. Stowe a Christian and abolitionist points out the contradiction of how it is unchristian to seek your freedom. It is unchristian to seek your justice. Stowe exemplifies, that even the best of Christianity under slavery leads to disadvantage and discouragement.
clariceh's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
loverofeels's review against another edition
4.0
very interesting as a historical document. stowe is a talented propagandist; i was genuinely invested in the characters and plot. that being said, stowe exhibits a great deal of anti-black racism despite her abolitionist goals, so read with extreme care.
hakkun1's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
gizadaemon's review against another edition
4.0
Rife with white-savior-complex and an othering of African/Black people that hasn't aged well, this book, nonetheless, is shockingly progressive for its time. Not only was it such an anti-slavery sensation that nearly 30 books were written as angry responses to its publication and success in the decade following its release, but it demonstrates strong feminist values and fairly criticizes the church for its apathy and hypocrisy at the time. I was very impressed that most of the book is based on stories she heard from actual escaped slaves (as opposed to the anti-Tom literature which appears to be almost entirely fiction invented by those who benefited from slavery), and continue to be baffled as to why my fellow southerners fight to defend the "honor" of their pro-slave ancestors. Just admit they were products of an evil time and that they made mistakes. Try to be better. It's not that hard.
rattledragons's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
snowcat5's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dethklok1985's review against another edition
Plan to come back to it, but don't see myself finishing anytime soon.