Reviews

A Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw by James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw

zoes_human's review

challenging dark informative

4.0

laurendesousa's review

adventurous challenging dark sad fast-paced

2.5

abigail_ted's review against another edition

It feels a little strange to rate this, given that it is essentially a religious testimony produced by and for Calvinist evangelicals. Not only is this text hugely significant in British/Black-British literary history, but it is utterly fascinating for a multitude of reasons. I've read this a few times, and I always find the end extremely sad. After detailing years of miserable trials living in poverty in various English towns - including when not a single church would agree to bury his dead child, and when one eventually did, the reverend refused to read a funeral service - we end the narrative learning that Gronniosaw and his wife still live in dire poverty, concluding with a gentle plea for any assistance from the religious community this book would be distributed to.

shellys's review against another edition

2.0

I wonder if this early example of "God used slavery for evangelism of Africa" was where that began? egan? Or if this just a reflects the pervasiveness of the idea?
The preface was quite awful - Calvinist determinism. As for the book, I wish it were possible to know much the author is speaking for the audience and how much is speaking his heart. The story is filled with "love of master" and rejoicing in enslavement because of learning of Jesus.

I won't be recommending this book. .

june_englit_phd's review against another edition

4.0

An uplifting tale, set in the era of the slave-trade and European colonisation, of one man's spiritual journey from "black Africa", through the "middle passage", to his Christian conversion and life in England. Even though he has been sold to master after master, travelled here, there and everywhere, and having suffered a family tragedy, Gronniosaw's ability to keep strong to his faith is truly inspirational. It's an extremely short and snappy text but well worth a read.