Reviews

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

alreadyemily's review against another edition

3.0

The annotations: 4 stars.
I would not recommend anyone read any other version of Uncle Tom's Cabin. It's just so old and the context vs the intent vs the reality needs explaining. And seeing the various historical ephemera was really interesting and important. Still, the annotations are not perfect. This is a relatively recent publication (less than 20 years ago is more recent than I expected) and there were some things not addressed and these omissions surprised me.

The historical significance of the book: 5 stars.
It comes up everywhere! It was a huuuuge best-er in its own time and references to it and its archetypes are still referenced frequently today. I knew I had to read it because I knew it was supposed to be good but also knew that "Uncle Tom" is an epithet. I wanted to understand the historical context and tension between these two facts with some nuance.

The book itself: 2 stars.
Well-written and interesting enough but DEFINITELY falls into The Uncanny Valley of Social Justice™. That is to say, it's a book that is trying real hard to be progressive and instruct others to change their thinking, but it is still (rac)ist AF. (See also [b:The Last of the Mohicans|38296|The Last of the Mohicans (The Leatherstocking Tales #2)|James Fenimore Cooper|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388199654l/38296._SY75_.jpg|2064030] and [b:The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress|16690|The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress|Robert A. Heinlein|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348768309l/16690._SY75_.jpg|1048525] as further examples.)

morganmariexo's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

read this for a class and i actually really enjoyed reading it. 

racheltanza's review against another edition

5.0

A sentimental, sometimes frustrating, sometimes horrific account of slavery. It made me cry. I can list on one hand the books that have affected me that strongly.

crankylibrarian's review against another edition

2.0

Ugh. As a descendant of slaves, I am of course glad Stowe wrote this, but oy, the stereotypes! The painfully sentimental writing! The irksome death scenes, (get on with it already little Eva!)And of course the central problem: the title character's suicidal devotion to duty. Read for historical purposes only.

classiccarissa's review against another edition

3.0

I tried to finish but six hours into the twenty-two-hour audiobook I just sort of...gave up. it is so heavy to read. for me, the knowledge that the fourth wall breaks AND several conversations were meant to appeal to the sympathies of white women, which pushed abolition to the forefront of American politics during that period, fell so flat for me. I kept trying to put myself in the headspace of that time, but the references to African-Americans as "creatures" and seeing them constantly stereotyped and othered made that an impossible task. I think this book would be best read (at least for me) in excerpts, accompanied by some kind of annotations, like first-person memoirs of slavery. Have read parts of slave narratives, or accounts from Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs who were enslaved in America, those stories felt so much richer than this one. I tried reading this book as part of due diligence I felt I owed the author since I did a project on her when I was much too young to read the book or possibly understand the concepts within, but I just can't bring myself to finish it.

henni203's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

5.0

The most emotionally moving book I ever read. The story was exorbitantly profound and terrible at the same time, making me realize the capability and cruelty of man in a different and honest light.

bdukes's review against another edition

5.0

Wow. What an amazing piece of literature. An impassioned, multifaceted, compelling treatise against all of the evils of the American system of slavery. Obviously a product of its unique time in history, there are flaws to overlook, primarily around broad generalizations and stereotypes, however the core message is so convicting and uplifting (and tearful and hard-to-stomach) as to stand the test of time. At the core is the beauty and strength of Christ as He attends to the needs of the poor, outcast, and brokenhearted, dealing frankly with His perceived silence on the face of historic injustice. Beautifully written, a real joy to read.

anna_of_green_gables's review against another edition

dark emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

liberty_the_baron's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

jaireland34's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes