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95 reviews for:
Our Nig; Or, Sketches from the Life of a Free Black
Richard J. Ellis, Harriet E. Wilson
3.56 AVERAGE
95 reviews for:
Our Nig; Or, Sketches from the Life of a Free Black
Richard J. Ellis, Harriet E. Wilson
3.56 AVERAGE
yes, just yes...
This book is the very basis of why I appreciate the narratives of enslaved and indentured Black people as well as free Black people for it’s raw and unaccommodating. Unlike other narratives of the time (looking specifically at Frederick Douglass), this novel is plainly and necessarily brutally critical of Northern whites and abolitionists, exposing their hypocrisy in wishing for enslaved people to be freed but to be kept away from them — banished to another realm.
The introduction in this edition is FLAWLESS (!!!) and I love the genealogical research that went into crafting it as well as into crafting the complete and beautiful history of Harriet.
This book is the very basis of why I appreciate the narratives of enslaved and indentured Black people as well as free Black people for it’s raw and unaccommodating. Unlike other narratives of the time (looking specifically at Frederick Douglass), this novel is plainly and necessarily brutally critical of Northern whites and abolitionists, exposing their hypocrisy in wishing for enslaved people to be freed but to be kept away from them — banished to another realm.
The introduction in this edition is FLAWLESS (!!!) and I love the genealogical research that went into crafting it as well as into crafting the complete and beautiful history of Harriet.
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Terminal illness
Minor: Miscarriage, Violence, Medical content, Pregnancy
The story behind this book is just as interesting as the story itself. Harriet Wilson's account of racism in the free north supposedly greatly reflected her own life. She wrote the book to try and make money for her son, who ended up passing away before she could get him back in her custody. Apparently this book, one of the first written by an African-American woman, failed to get much attention because it features a relationship between races, something ridiculously taboo at the time. Worth a read. An interesting slice of history.
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A difficult book to give a star rating too. The fact that it is one of the first novels written by an African American woman makes it a very interesting book to read, but in terms of story and writing it wasn't hugely enjoyable.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read this for class and it was great. But definitely prepare yourself for the abuse and slurs in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not a sentimental 19th century novel and not a slave narrative but taking heavily from those two traditions and subverting both, this autobiographical novel challenges the idea of freedom in the antebellum North. Frado, who is far from free, struggles for dignity and self-determination while working for the Bellmonts.
This book provides a fictional biographical account of a mixed woman from her birth in 1828's New Hampshire to her adulthood as a free black woman in Massachusetts.
Frado's story begins by introducing her white mother, Mag Smith, a poor white woman who is shunned by those in town. She is befriended by an African man named Jim who seeing her plight, decides to marry her. Mag tolerates being married to Jim since he takes care of her and even has children with him but eventually, Jim dies due to consumption. After Jim dies, Mag is alone again and after a time, marries another man named Seth. Seth and Mag decide to move away and chose to leave six year old Frado with a the Belmonts, a nearby family with the promise to return when times are better.
Mag never returns for Frado and she becomes a servant for the Belmonts. From the ages of six to almost twenty, Frado is trained wash dishes and clothes as well as other duties. Although Mr. Belmont is friendly, his wife and daughter Mary are harsh to Frado and constantly berate her. Mrs. Belmont beats her and accuses her of being lazy yet Frado relies on her faith in God to sustain her. Frado's only relief is seen though her love of a dog named Fido and friend Aunt Abby.
As Frado gets older, she finds a friend in the Belmonts son James who feels pity for her and wants to see her free from the tyranny of his mother and sister. Eventually, James dies after a long illness and Frado's health declines as well. Frado is removed from the Belmont home in order to get better. As her health improves, Frado begins to work as a knitter but it falsely accused of not really being severely ill. The severity of Frado's illness is proved by the assistance of her former employer and she is able to rest and get better.
The final part of the novel focuses on Frado as an adult woman who marries a free black man named Samuel. Samuel travels a lot for speaking engagements which leaves her by herself for long periods of time. During one of Samuel's absences, Frado gives birth to a son. Although Samuel returns for a time, her eventually leaves again and later dies of yellow fever in New Orleans. Once Frado's son is old enough to be left alone, Frado leaves him with a friend and moves to Massachusetts to find a way to support her and her child. Upon securing a home, she retrieves her son and the move to Massachusetts. The novel ends with Frado providing for her child by creating merchandise in a store.
What makes this novel notable is that this is viewed as the first novel published by a African-American in the United States, as well as the first novel published by a black woman in 1859. The content of this book is both engaging as well as heartbreaking considering that Frado never fit in with black people nor white people. Frado's resilience and steadfastness are qualities that are timeless and should be exhibited by people today regardless of skin color or gender.
Frado's story begins by introducing her white mother, Mag Smith, a poor white woman who is shunned by those in town. She is befriended by an African man named Jim who seeing her plight, decides to marry her. Mag tolerates being married to Jim since he takes care of her and even has children with him but eventually, Jim dies due to consumption. After Jim dies, Mag is alone again and after a time, marries another man named Seth. Seth and Mag decide to move away and chose to leave six year old Frado with a the Belmonts, a nearby family with the promise to return when times are better.
Mag never returns for Frado and she becomes a servant for the Belmonts. From the ages of six to almost twenty, Frado is trained wash dishes and clothes as well as other duties. Although Mr. Belmont is friendly, his wife and daughter Mary are harsh to Frado and constantly berate her. Mrs. Belmont beats her and accuses her of being lazy yet Frado relies on her faith in God to sustain her. Frado's only relief is seen though her love of a dog named Fido and friend Aunt Abby.
As Frado gets older, she finds a friend in the Belmonts son James who feels pity for her and wants to see her free from the tyranny of his mother and sister. Eventually, James dies after a long illness and Frado's health declines as well. Frado is removed from the Belmont home in order to get better. As her health improves, Frado begins to work as a knitter but it falsely accused of not really being severely ill. The severity of Frado's illness is proved by the assistance of her former employer and she is able to rest and get better.
The final part of the novel focuses on Frado as an adult woman who marries a free black man named Samuel. Samuel travels a lot for speaking engagements which leaves her by herself for long periods of time. During one of Samuel's absences, Frado gives birth to a son. Although Samuel returns for a time, her eventually leaves again and later dies of yellow fever in New Orleans. Once Frado's son is old enough to be left alone, Frado leaves him with a friend and moves to Massachusetts to find a way to support her and her child. Upon securing a home, she retrieves her son and the move to Massachusetts. The novel ends with Frado providing for her child by creating merchandise in a store.
What makes this novel notable is that this is viewed as the first novel published by a African-American in the United States, as well as the first novel published by a black woman in 1859. The content of this book is both engaging as well as heartbreaking considering that Frado never fit in with black people nor white people. Frado's resilience and steadfastness are qualities that are timeless and should be exhibited by people today regardless of skin color or gender.
Hmm, I have to ponder this and do a bit more research on it before I come to a final opinion.