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veelaughtland 's review for:
12 Years A Slave
by Solomon Northup, Sam Sloan
12 Years a Slave is an utterly affecting non-fiction narrative. It follows the free man Solomon Northup, a man with a loving family and a talent for the violin, who was drugged and sold into slavery where he suffered for 12 years before eventually regaining freedom.
I was already familiar with Solomon Northup's story, having seen the Oscar-winning film adaptation back when it was released a few years ago, and the film affected me so much that I don't think I could ever watch it again. Listening to the original tale written by Northup himself on audiobook was a way for me to re-engage with the tale, and I thought this was a fantastic medium to experience it in again. Hugh Quarshie's narrative was fantastic and full of feeling, and I listened to this for hours at a time.
The book itself provides a little more detail than the film does, with explanations of how cotton and sugar is picked and harvested, which I found very interesting. The horrors that Solomon and the other slaves experience are truly sickening, and the young slave girl Patsey's story in particular is one that is haunting and tragic. If you are looking to read this book, I would thoroughly recommend this audiobook as it's a great, immersive way of engaging with the tale. Although I can't say it's an enjoyable listen, it's informative and touching.
I was already familiar with Solomon Northup's story, having seen the Oscar-winning film adaptation back when it was released a few years ago, and the film affected me so much that I don't think I could ever watch it again. Listening to the original tale written by Northup himself on audiobook was a way for me to re-engage with the tale, and I thought this was a fantastic medium to experience it in again. Hugh Quarshie's narrative was fantastic and full of feeling, and I listened to this for hours at a time.
The book itself provides a little more detail than the film does, with explanations of how cotton and sugar is picked and harvested, which I found very interesting. The horrors that Solomon and the other slaves experience are truly sickening, and the young slave girl Patsey's story in particular is one that is haunting and tragic. If you are looking to read this book, I would thoroughly recommend this audiobook as it's a great, immersive way of engaging with the tale. Although I can't say it's an enjoyable listen, it's informative and touching.