A review by lsparrow
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

3.0

The writing is definitely set in it's own particular time and setting. The author attempts to present a breadth of experiences around slavery and for the attempt does justice to a wide range of experiences and view points - however it is not as strong or as personal as if from a lived experience. Even the popularity/acclaim that this book has speaks to the issues of systemic racism - other accounts by those who had lived experiences are at best unknown if not unpublished. It feels that much of the strengths of the novel relies on the stories of others. The final section of the book drags as Stowe gets distracted by needing to clearly reiterate her political views (which in my mind the story clearly speaks for).
Overall I found it helpful to read it in light of period it was written - and to see how this has shaped today - and how even many of the themes are still relevant.