Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

read book* *Different edition

Uncle Tom's Cabin

3.73 of 5 stars 3.73 · rating details · 71,937 ratings · 3,223 reviews

Uncle Tom, Topsy, Sambo, Simon Legree, little Eva: their names are American bywords, and all of them are characters in Harriet Beecher Stowe's remarkable novel of the pre-Civil War South. Uncle Tom's Cabin was revolutionary in 1852 for its passionate indictment of slavery and for its presentation of Tom, "a man of humanity," as the first black hero in American fiction. Lab...more

Paperback, 511 pages

Published December 1st 1982 by Bantam Classics (first published 1852)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Books That Will Inspire You to Be a Better Person in 2013

37th out of 47 books — 17 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jun 25, 2011 Stephen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: easton-press, audiobook, historical-fiction, classics-americas, 1800s, classics, good-guys

ONE READER'S CONFUSION ABOUT WHY "UNCLE TOM" MEANS ANYTHING BUT HERO

3.0 stars. First, I am glad I have finally read this book given its historical significance and the very positive impact that it had on American history. That said, from a literary perspective, I didn't find this book to be particularly well written and am doubtful of whether it would be much remembered or considered a "classic" but for the aforementioned historical significance and the creation of the character of Uncle Tom (mo...more

like 104 likes · see review

Aug 29, 2007 Jessica Reese rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: history classes, Beloved fanatics

Shelves: literature

O.k. so I was supposed to read this in my high school a.p. class. I think my friend and I may even have taken turns reading parts of it, but it never really happened. But, this last semester I actually read it twice, because that's what my Amer. Romanticism professor suggested we do, and, to be honest I was kind of scared of him for a while...

But, here's the deal. It really isn't a great book. It started out as bed time tales for her kids, progressed to installments in a magazine, and then event...more

like 20 likes · see review

Jan 11, 2008 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wow. I wish this was still required reading in schools. Can you imagine: a book that was credited by President Lincoln with bringing about the Civil War, and is known to have so effected the hearts of readers that it changed their opinions of slavery is hardly read in the country whose face it changed?

like 43 likes · see review

Jul 06, 2008 Ann Marie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Life-changing book. This was a great read-aloud with my kids. We finished it on Easter Sunday - very appropriate.

like 16 likes · see review

Aug 23, 2012 Lydia Presley rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, classics, fiction, social_issues, 2012

There have been so many reviews done about the book it seems a bit ridiculous for me to come so late to the game and offer my own insightful and poignant thoughts (I don't think that much of myself, really!). So instead, I thought I'd write about about my decision to read this book, why it took me so long, and how it affected me personally.

I'd first heard of Uncle Tom's Cabin in college. Being home-schooled in the 80's/early 90's there really wasn't any sort of required reading, and I was consta...more There have been so many reviews done about the book it seems a bit ridiculous for me to come so late to the game and offer my own insightful and poignant thoughts (I don't think that much of myself, really!). So instead, I thought I'd write about about my decision to read this book, why it took me so long, and how it affected me personally.

I'd first heard of Uncle Tom's Cabin in college. Being home-schooled in the 80's/early 90's there really wasn't any sort of required reading, and I was constantly reading books anyway. But at that time I was reading the biographies of classical composers and other literary works that caught my interest (Austen, Bronte etc).

My youngest sister is now a Junior in high school and was required to read this book just this year. I'd heard of it many times since my early college years and asked her what she thought of it. She told me it was interesting. With the 1001 Book challenge and some of my challenges I chose for 2010 the opportunity presented itself for me to finally read it.

I am not going to lie to you - this was a hard read. The dialect throughout the book makes for slow going until you get used to it, which still takes a while. There are entire portions devoted to the preaching of the Word. I do not doubt at all in Stowe's faith and it's apparent that she believed that slavery was wrong on all levels, both political and spiritual. Of course, there is absolutely no fault in that and I agree.

Of course the book is dated. There are references made that, if put in a book of today, would cause a huge outcry. If anything, the references should be taken as an example of the history of our nation and be learned from today. I'm reminded so many times of stereotypes made (and I'm not talking about politically correct nonsense), but stereotypes not only made based on race, but on sexual orientation, religion and education - to name a few. We'd be wise to remember that 100 years from now our children's children will be reading what we record and wondering at what we say.

And finally I was struck at how some things do not change. More than all, Stowe spoke for education. Today, this is the same. Education can do wonders and it should be our primary focus.

So those are my thoughts as I close this novel. Is it one of my favorite books? I'd have to say no. But I respect and appreciate the effort put forth by Stowe and hope that the spirit of her message will continue to affect the young adults who read it.(less)

like 7 likes · see review

Aug 19, 2012 K.D. Oliveros rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to K.D. by: 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (2006-2010)

Shelves: classics, 1001-core, race, apartheid, crime, drama, feminist, historical-fiction, saddest

I decided to pick this 1852 book up because this was said to be the inspiration of our national hero, José Rizal (1861-1896) for writing his masterpiece novel, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) (published in 1887). I thought I would like to compare this with Noli to see how original or unoriginal Rizal was.

My verdict: Noli and Uncle Tom's Cabin are totally different from each other except for one thing and that is the lowly's fight for freedom from slavery. Lowly in Noli are the indios or native Fi...more

like 18 likes · see review

Sep 08, 2008 Tammy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is one of the most moving, provocative pieces of literature I've ever read, and it's the first time that I can recall being moved to tears from a book. As long as I live, I will never be able to remove from my mind the vision of Eliza, panicked and frenzied, in the dead of the night with her baby boy in her arms, leaping across the frozen ice of the Ohio river to escape the trader her baby had been sold to. And if anyone wants to read a profound and well written narrative for the view...more

like 33 likes · see review

Apr 25, 2008 Brooke rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I know, I know, it's a monumental artifact in American history, and the catalyst to the spread of the abolitionist movement to the masses. I totally appreciate the historical and cultural significance of this book. No question.

But seriously, y'all? This book SUCKS as a piece of literature. For real. I just can't get past how bad the writing is--the reason why I'm such a voracious reader is simple: I read books for aesthetic pleasure. That's it. I really don't give a shit about anything beyond en...more

like 12 likes · see review

Jun 07, 2012 Barksdale Penick rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

We visited the Museum of the Confederacy in Charlston South Carolina, and there was a display of about 30 novels written as Southern responses to the publication and wild success of Uncle Tom's Cabin in the North. That made me want to read Uncle Tom's Cabin to see why it was so popular. It has several good narrative lines and the evilest of characters, Simon Legree, a name I have heard of many time but did not know the origin of. It also did a comprehensive job of demonstrating how slavery bound...more

like 5 likes · see review

Oct 05, 2011 Sierra rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriot Beecher Stowe was set in the 1850's in the deep south. This book is about the trials of a slave man named Tom. Tom was a good hearted pios man, with an honest nature and loving heart he was not often tempted to stray in any way from his faith in the lord. Tom was born on a small farm in kentucky he was well liked by the entire town and adored by his master; Master Shelby. Shelby was a kind man and he would not liked to have sold anyone, but he had to. It was either T...more Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriot Beecher Stowe was set in the 1850's in the deep south. This book is about the trials of a slave man named Tom. Tom was a good hearted pios man, with an honest nature and loving heart he was not often tempted to stray in any way from his faith in the lord. Tom was born on a small farm in kentucky he was well liked by the entire town and adored by his master; Master Shelby. Shelby was a kind man and he would not liked to have sold anyone, but he had to. It was either Tom or the farm. Tom who had lived on that farm 40+ years,;who had a wife and a family , who ran that farm and all of it's business could not understand his mistake. Tom and Haley left on a boat to the deep south. On the boat Tom was allowed to wonder around. He met a little girl of about 5 years old who he befriend. The little girl was like a little angel to him so perfect and sweet. The girl named Eva convinced her father a witty young man to buy him. St. Clare ,the name of his new master, lived in a beatiful house in New Orleans. He had no rules and gave his slaves whatever they wanted. Tom was in awe of his new home. He was Eva's personal attendent,they were inseperable. Tom spent a couple of years with his new master and in that time he tried to convert St.Clare to a christan man. When little Eva got sick and died, St. Clare fell into a . Eva meant everything to him. It broke poor Tom's heart to see him this way. St. Clare promised Tom his freedom but couldn't stand the thought of giving him up. St. Clare was murdered before Tom got his freedom. Tom along with the rest of St. clare's slaves were to be sold. Tom was sent to a slave warehouse where he would stay before auctioned off. At the auction Tom was sold to a brutal unkind man by the name of Simon Legree. Simon owned a plantation somewhere along the Red River.At this plantation Tom was teated worse then ever before. He worked for sun up till sun down. He was given little to eat and what he ahd he gave to those weaker than him. In the feild he helped the women pick there cotton. Tom was beaten ruthlessly by these two slaves. they were just as brutal creul as there master. they were trying to beat the good out of Tom. But he endured his suffering in silence. When he was alone he prayed to be delievered. To take his mind off of the pain he thought;of an little kentucky farm from long ago. He thought of his wife and the wolly heads of his children, of little Eva, and kind, cynical Master St. clare. Sambo,the mean slave, beat Tom half to death one last time ,before he came to christ. By that time it was to late, Tom was dying. He repented of his sins and made Tom as comfortable as he could. Tom never got to see his wife again. But his original master's son, Master George, had spent years tracking down Tom in hopes to redeem him. George saw Tom and got to say goodbye. Tom through the end still held his faith and didn't forsake his humanity. Throughout the book Harriet Stowe had a strong anti-slavery theme. she said " No matter how you look at it slavery, to it's essence is wrong. For even if a slave has a kind master, his master could die, turn bitter, or come into debt and use his salves as a payment which the law gives him the right to do." I absolutely Loved this book. I thought it was amazing and I would recommend it to everyone . (less)

like 1 like · see review

Oct 08, 2011 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

I admit I was supposed to read Uncle Tom's Cabin in my 11th grade History class...and though I am sure I did read little bits and pieces, I can hardly remember it. So, when I saw it was a free selection for Kindle, I downloaded it and started reading it. Of course I had lots of precoceived notions about the book before I started it. I've alalways heard the term "Uncle Tom" used to describe a black person who has "turned on" his race in some way. And I had heard, and understood, that the book it...more I admit I was supposed to read Uncle Tom's Cabin in my 11th grade History class...and though I am sure I did read little bits and pieces, I can hardly remember it. So, when I saw it was a free selection for Kindle, I downloaded it and started reading it. Of course I had lots of precoceived notions about the book before I started it. I've alalways heard the term "Uncle Tom" used to describe a black person who has "turned on" his race in some way. And I had heard, and understood, that the book itself was written in a fairly racist manner. So I expected to hate Uncle Tom, and to be generally offended by the text from beginning to end. I have to say, there were huge portions of the story, mostly the narrative descriptions of the slaves, that were absurdly racist. She constantly describes the slaves as being "child-like", and there is always the assumption that a black character can only be "good" if they have a white person to train them to be that way. Then we have the stereotypes....which I won't even get into.
But back to Tom. While I can see how someone could look at him and think he was a man that was more loyal to his master than his race, I saw him completely differently. I saw him a a Christ-like figure, a man similar in character to Ghandi. He was a man of faith who prayed for the salvation of others. While critics see his master as being the white man, I saw his master as being God. For this, I found his character to be admirable.
As I'm writing this I am still asking myself if I "liked" the book....and it's very hard for me to answer that. I thoguht the writing was not worthy of its status as a "classic". I thought huge parts of it were racist. But there was so much of the story that resonated with me. I was pulled into the lives of the characters. Also, I think that this book has huge historical significance, regardless of how it has been denounced as being racist today. It spurned discussion when it was written, and it continues to do so today.(less)

like 2 likes · see review

Jul 19, 2011 Allison rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I LOVED this book. Sure... it's a classic, we all should have read it in high school or what have you but I never did. I checked it out when it came up as a free Kindle book and it is honestly one of the best books I have ever read. I absolutely loved it and recommend it to anyone and everyone. It's a must read; no doubt about it.

like 8 likes · see review

Oct 13, 2012 Celeste rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

La prima metà del libro è stata noiosa perchè ci sono troppe descrizioni e non c'è azione,mentre la seconda parte è stata interessante perchè sono riuscita ad immedesimarmi meglio nei protagonisti e nelle situazioni.
E'un classico molto interessante perchè racconta in che condizioni disumane vivevano gli schiavi e come venivano trattati.
Questo mi fa nascere parecchie riflessioni sul fatto che in un passato relativamente vicino si pensava che gli uomini neri fossero inferiori e per questo motivo...more

like 1 like · see review

Mar 29, 2009 Marie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wow. An important book, surely, historically, and I found the forward more interesting than most as it argued about the book's place in American Literature. (Though, sadly, like most academic forwards, rife with spoilers. Lady! I'm reading this for the first time, don't tell me who dies and who gets married and who goes to Africa!)

Stowe's strength is in her more merry passages, particularly when she can put her bible down for five seconds and turn a wry, Twain-like eye on popular culture. Sadly,...more

like 10 likes · see review

Oct 22, 2012 Caroline rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Firstly, I should admit that my only knowledge of Uncle Tom's Cabin was that it was important re. abolition and the Civil War and what I gleaned from The King and I ... so, for a start I was surprised at Eliza's story-line being so secondary to Tom's! Overall though, I enjoyed the story - until the very end.

Tom dying I was alright with. I would, in fact, have been annoyed if it had all wrapped up nicely for him and, to be honest, was kind of annoyed that George Shelby even managed to track him...more Firstly, I should admit that my only knowledge of Uncle Tom's Cabin was that it was important re. abolition and the Civil War and what I gleaned from The King and I ... so, for a start I was surprised at Eliza's story-line being so secondary to Tom's! Overall though, I enjoyed the story - until the very end.

Tom dying I was alright with. I would, in fact, have been annoyed if it had all wrapped up nicely for him and, to be honest, was kind of annoyed that George Shelby even managed to track him down (would that ever really have been possible?!), much less that he conveniently arrived five minutes before Tom's death.

Eliza, George, Cassy and Madame de Thoux, however took it all a step too far. I mean, seriously. Tom knows Eliza and gets sold round and round and happens to end up on the same plantation as her long-lost mother (who was also sold round and round)?! And not only that, but Cassy ends up on the same boat and almost under the protection of George Shelby whose father owned Eliza and in the cabin next to Eliza's husband's sister?! I understand that it was nice to have some happiness at the end of the novel and I understand that some slave families must have managed to reunite, but this stretched it to a ridiculous extent. The only way it would have been more contrived would have been if George's sister had been younger than him and turned out to be Emmeline. And that would only have been marginally more ridiculous.

The last three chapters' sermonising I also could have done without, although I realise that when the book was written they were designed to convince people that there was an option other than slavery and to set out the facts as to how well former slaves could do for themselves etc. etc. Obviously, most of it was blah blah to me as having been born in this age things such as slavery or one race being unable to do well is an alien concept to me. I thought perhaps it might be better if it was re-edited to move these parts to more of an epilogue, rather than having them listed as just further chapters... but then I thought that that would possibly have made me less likely to read them, so I finished un-decided about them. I suppose it's better that they're there to get the book as a whole as it was intended, but coming at the end of a story that kept me hooked for 400+ pages it was a bit of a anti-climatic ending.

Possibly the most interesting aspect of the whole book for me however and one that I probably should have realised would have been there was Stowe's clear belief that, while slavery was bad, the "Africans" were very much an "other" and that the best option was to educate them (in a western, Anglo-Saxon manner, of course) and then send them on their way to Liberia to educate the rest of Africa (Topsy being the prime example of this). The fact that all the liberated characters either don't know what to do with their freedom (a la the Shelby slaves) or get educated then head off to Liberia (a la Eliza, George et al) was a huge surprise to me given how Stowe spent much of the book talking up characters like Tom, Eliza, Chloe and George and showing how much they achieved even as slaves and how hard-working and good at their jobs they were ... yet clearly to have too many Africans like this free and running around US society was a step too far for Stowe.

Right from the start of the book however, this latent prejudice against the blacks was clear - even when writing from her viewpoint, not that of southern slave-owners, I read comments such as -
"It must be remembered that all the instinctive affections of that race are peculiarly strong ... they are not naturally daring and enterprising but home-loving and affectionate"; "Tom, who had the soft, impressible nature of his kindly race"; "If ever Africa shall show an elevated and cultivated race" (Stowe seems unaware of one of the largest and oldest examples of civilisations in the world - the Egyptians); "their gentleness, their lowly docility of heart ... their childlike simplicity for forgiveness"; "The principle of reliance and unquestioning faith ... is more a native element in this race than any other: and it has often been found among them, that a stray seed of truth, borne on some breeze of accident into hearts the most ignorant, has sprung into fruit, whose abundance has shamed that of higher and more skilful culture."

To give her some credit however, Stowe does address this, mostly through the character of Ophelia - St Clare calls her out on the fact that she "shudders" to see Eva touching Tom and Topsy herself brings about the change in Ophelia's mindset that from there on allows her to not recoil from Topsy's touch (although it's unclear whether she ever reacts to it as simply as she would from a touch from, say, Eva).

Stowe also seems aware that it is a lack of contact issue and one of education for the whites - when describing George protecting his family as they make their escape, she compares him to (white) Hungarian fugitives who were at that point being welcomed to the US and their struggle reported in the papers noting "If it had been only a Hungarian youth ... this would have been sublime heroism; but as it was a youth of African descent ... of course we are too well instructed and patriotic to see any heroism in it" - and later when St Clare and Ophelia are talking St Clare asks her "You send thousands of dollars to foreign missions' but could you endure to have the heathen sent into your towns and villages ...?" to which she responds "I know there are many good people at the north, who in this matter need only to be *taught* what their duty is, to do it. It would certainly be a greater self-denial to receive heathen among us, than to send missionaries to them; but I think we would do it"... and yet when it comes down to it, at the end of the book, Stowe still pushes education followed by Liberia as the best course for emancipated slaves.

I suppose I shouldn't be so shocked given that the book was written over 150 years ago and that, even today, there are plenty of people in the world who assume anything they do not know is "other" and "different" and, even in the US, those who think that black people have higher poverty and crime rates because of some kind of intrinsic "black" mindset and not because of socio-economic and education factors, but I was and I can't decide if it's sad that abolition came about despite the fact, or if the abolitionists deserve even more credit for pushing such a cause despite their underlying prejudices. (less)

like 2 likes · see review

Jan 30, 2013 Auntie Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, over500, usa, per-bambini, 1001libridaleggere

e se fosse tolta a voi la libertà, o peggio ancora, se non veniste mai a consocenza di che cosa significa essere liberi? La libertà di guardare un cielo stellato e sapere di non dover chiamare padrone nessuno, di poter avere la tua famiglia accanto, di non dover essere umiliato e la libertà di difendersi. Diamo troppo per scontato cosa sia la libertà, impariamo a volerci bene, a comportarci secondo il principio di non fare agli altri cosa non volessimo fosse fatto a noi. Un piccolo gesto può smu...more

like 2 likes · see review

Apr 22, 2013 Rachel Worley rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wow - what a book! Emotional, depressing, thrilling, captivating, brilliantly written ...

It's really hard not to sympathize and rejoice with the characters in this book. Stowe wrote with such detail and displyed her characters very clearly so as to really probe the mind of the reader. Definitely written in the Romantic style... it was written to capture your emotions as opposed to your intellect.

At times, it was so sad and depressing, but in the end I really liked it. Tom's faith in God was one...more

like 1 like · see review

May 04, 2012 Tex Thompson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

I think the saddest thing about this book is that everybody remembers Uncle Tom, even if only as a particularly ugly byword, but nobody remembers George Harris.

"I am George Harris. A Mr. Harris, of Kentucky, did call me his property. But now I'm a free man, standing on God's free soil; and my wife and my child I claim as mine... You can come up, if you like, but the first one of you that comes within the range of our bullets is a dead man."

He is a hell of a character, and one of the few here th...more I think the saddest thing about this book is that everybody remembers Uncle Tom, even if only as a particularly ugly byword, but nobody remembers George Harris.

"I am George Harris. A Mr. Harris, of Kentucky, did call me his property. But now I'm a free man, standing on God's free soil; and my wife and my child I claim as mine... You can come up, if you like, but the first one of you that comes within the range of our bullets is a dead man."

He is a hell of a character, and one of the few here that could exit the pages of this book and stand his own ground in the pages of another one.

That's the difficulty with Uncle Tom's Cabin, at least for me: if you judge it by our modern sensibilities about what a novel should be and do, it doesn't hold up at all. The characters are mostly one- or two-dimensional figures, often exaggerated past all believability, who are sketched out to serve an obvious purpose. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote every page of this book to rail against slavery, and although she skewers her subject from a hundred different ways and angles, that is really her only aim. For us in the 21st century, for whom slavery has melted away from all but the darkest corners of the world, this is pretty much preaching to the choir.

Let me tell you why it's still an amazing book.

You might know that it was written in 1852 - a time in which the issue of slavery was boiling over in Congress and at dinner tables across the nation, but still almost ten years before the breakup of the United States and the start of the Civil War. In 2012, it is still FRIGHTENING to read this book, to listen to the author decry slavery by every means imaginable - from sarcastic narrative whispers to naked, screaming invective - and to almost hear the desperation in her voice as she throws herself bodily against this massive, monstrous evil, which for her has no imaginable end. In the last pages, she talks with faint hope about Liberia, where she imagines American slaves could go to construct a nation of their own, but that's it. At the time when she put pen to paper, this author went to bed at night and rose in the morning knowing that human beings were still suffering and dying by the millions. 160 years later, we've long since ended slavery in America, but that fear and anger and almost-hopeless despair is still fresh on the page.

So I guess what I'm saying is, absolutely do read this book - and when you do, read it less for the plot and more for the real, non-fiction people who inspired it.

And also for George Harris, 19th-century action hero.(less)

like 2 likes · see review

Aug 19, 2012 Thom Swennes rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone

Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe is a classic that helped change an age, tumble an institution, and cure the self-imposed state of blindness that afflicted American’s, both north and south, over slavery. A few weeks ago I compared another book to this one. I read this for the first time a half century ago and have recently questioned the accuracy of my perceptions formed so long ago. Upon completion of this re-read I can safely say that the perceptions and conclusions of a teenage boy...more Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe is a classic that helped change an age, tumble an institution, and cure the self-imposed state of blindness that afflicted American’s, both north and south, over slavery. A few weeks ago I compared another book to this one. I read this for the first time a half century ago and have recently questioned the accuracy of my perceptions formed so long ago. Upon completion of this re-read I can safely say that the perceptions and conclusions of a teenage boy haven’t changed much with the passing of time. I can however say that the fifty years between readings has proved just sufficient. This is a book as few others and literally exhausts the reader in emotion, shame and mental consternation.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin begins with an apparent happy and peaceful picture of life in the south. These afore mentioned adjectives were seen as true in the lives of both masters and slaves and only after careful scrutiny do the cracks appear. One can take for granted that some slave owners cared for and even loved their slaves. Considering that many a child was raised from infant to adult by his or her Mammy it would be hard to think it could be any other relationship than love. Slavery was often defended with these truisms but the uncertainty of the future put the slave in a very vulnerable position. Love, dependence and the bible were all used to both support and defeat the institution of slavery.
Two thirds of the book shows the life of domestic slavery in a loving and respectful home but the last third is of the hard and often brutal life of field hands destined to toil on cotton and tobacco farms. These slaves had it markedly worse than their counterparts but the same feeling of hopelessness, helplessness, desperation and despondency.
Harriet Beecher Stowe was a confessed and confirmed abolitionist that had written other works of the same genre but this one stood out above and still shines brightly. It is a must read for everyone. If you’ve never read it, read it now. If you’ve already read it, wait fifty years and read it again. Either way it is a life changing experience.
(less)

like 3 likes · see review

Sep 21, 2011 Sulaiman rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

أعجبني في هذه الرواية بعض المقاربات فيما بين بعض المشاهد و مايحدث على الساحة من أحداث و خصوصاً الربيع العربي ، ولكن أكثر ماشدني هو هذا المقطع من حوار بين شخصيتين من شخوص الرواية والذي أسقطته على الوضع الراهن:

ـ وما رأيك في قضية الإسترقاق عموماً: ومالمصير الذي ستؤول إليه؟

ـ لا يمكنني الإحاطة بما سيؤول إليه الرق ولكن لاريب في أن الجماهير ستتكتل ذات يوم وتتحفز للوثوب في جميع بقاع الأرض ولا بد أن يأتي يوم تغضب فيه الجماهير الواعية غضبتها القصوى إن عاًجلاً أو آجلاً. وقد بدأت تباشير هذه الثورات تظهر في...more

like 4 likes · see review

Apr 02, 2011 ☽ Moon ☯ 佛月球 Будда Луны rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Uncle Tom's Cabin came to my knowledge in quite accidental fashion. I remember reading an article about Noli Me Tangere and a particular line caught my eye, it stated there that this book served as Jose Rizal's inspiration to write his magnum opus. This interesting information drew me to the book and thanks to the kindle experience, reading has become easier, books of great value are more within reach, which means, I easily get hold of a copy immediately without exerting much effort.
Uncle Tom'...more Uncle Tom's Cabin came to my knowledge in quite accidental fashion. I remember reading an article about Noli Me Tangere and a particular line caught my eye, it stated there that this book served as Jose Rizal's inspiration to write his magnum opus. This interesting information drew me to the book and thanks to the kindle experience, reading has become easier, books of great value are more within reach, which means, I easily get hold of a copy immediately without exerting much effort.
Uncle Tom's Cabin is about the atrocities of human bondage, the sufferings of our African-American brethren, their deplorable circumstances of separation from their loved ones and the abject conditions of their existence under despotic hands. No wonder Rizal found inspiration with this book, it parallels the same condition here in the Philippines during his time under Spanish rule. It is also sad to note that both books insinuate the blind acceptance of the Christian church to the enslavement of the poor and the helpless and in some instance, their bold interpretation of the gospel that God himself doesnt forbid such actions, that the strong is meant to rule the weak. Perhaps, we will never find answers why God allows these things to happen, that apparently is still happening today, the strong, in the image of large corporations and the weak, in the image of the great majority of people living in impoverished state. Nevertheless, I believe we could learn a thing or two from Uncle Tom himself. His utter submission to the Divine Will, his strong unfailing faith, his acceptance of his present toil as part of the great Divine plan...that this life is no life at all but that of the life beyond. This coincides with Tolstoy's message in The Kingdom Of God Is Within You, the non-resistance to evil by force, that as Christians, we should refrain from answering violence with violence, that if something terrible has been committed against us, we should willingly TURN THE OTHER CHEEK. Suffering is indeed an enormous burden to endure yet there is beauty in suffering for as Dostoevsky said, the deeper the grief, the closer the God is. It is only through utter blinding darkness that the true light of the Divine shines......(less)

like 2 likes · see review

Sep 12, 2011 Tara Lynn rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics-necessary-for-any-library, booklist-for-2011

While I'll definitely call this book a classic, and say that it most certainly has a place in shaping the foundations of American perception during a dark moment in history, I won't call it great.

It's largely propganda, sensationalist to an extreme, and so rigidly stereotyped that it's almost painful to read.

From Wikpedia.com:

Uncle Tom's Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly is an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in 1852, the novel had a profound effect on atti...more

like 2 likes · see review

Feb 26, 2009 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, western-canon

Having had an abiding interest in studying the Civil War, I have been surprised at myself that I have not previously read Uncle Tom's Cabin. I have now remedied that failure. I found the book riveting in parts. Harriett Beecher Stowe is a better writer than I expected. Her powerful character development makes the book all the more heartwrenching. I loved Uncle Tom's Christ-like character. I also loved the religious allusions and overtones in the book. In 1852, when the book was published, it ser...more

like 8 likes · see review

Sep 12, 2008 Nightfalltwen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

The first exposure I ever had to this story was the musical number within the movie The King and I.

You can obviously tell that this isn't a modern book by any standards. Although the best selling novel of the 19th century and the second best-selling book after the Bible, it is completely dated. Some say even offensive for the stereotypes that it helped to create.

I say that when you're reading a book that was published in a different era you need to take into consideration the mindset of the read...more

like 4 likes · see review

Jun 08, 2007 Sarah Sammis rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: released

I normally like Harriet Beecher Stowe's style of writing but the other stories I've read were written for fun. She made a comfortable living as a writer of boys adventure novels (under the pen name "Christopher Crowfield") and was a neighbor and mentor of Mark Twain. Uncle Tom's Cabin had a definite political agenda and while it proved to be a significant and influential story (as well as a best seller) it is a flawed story.

Harriet Beecher Stowe was inspired to write Uncle Tom's Cabin after one...more

like 6 likes · see review

Apr 04, 2008 Bryan Simmons rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: barley and maize

ok ok this book is totally melodramatic, writhes in its own excess, and features several of those characters that are not characters at all, but rather are just embodiments of some trait or characteristic. avatars if you will. i don't really like that. i like my characters to have a little more meat on their bookish bones. notwithstanding, eva totally melted my heart. what a dear.
concerning the historical import: i doubt you can find a copy of this book today that doesn't have at least 50 pages...more

like 2 likes · see review

Dec 02, 2012 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Words can't describe how I feel about this book. The tears I shed over it speak for themselves. Gripping from start to finish, heartbreak and redemption coupled together to make this one of the best books I've ever read. In my top 10 favorites of all time.

“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”

“But it is often those who have...more

like 1 like · see review

Aug 20, 2012 Rebecca Macdonald rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This piece of literature is one of the most moving, life changing experiences you can get out of a book. You have to read this book in your lifetime no matter what age you are. It may be viewed as an anti-slavery campaign but it is so much more than that. It is a gripping tale of adventure, love and hardship. A truly amazing novel and an influence to everyone who reads it.

like 1 like · see review

Jan 22, 2008 Alyssa added it · review of another edition

Shelves: american

I know it may shock some of you that I'm so behind on my reading list, but this was the first time I'd read Uncle Tom's Cabin. One of my profs warned me that it may take some getting used to and that students found it difficult to engage with the text. Therefore, I was taken by surprise when the narrative ended up speaking into contemporary issues of social injustice and discrimination with profound clarity and fervor. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend that you pick up a copy. It is wel...more

like 3 likes · see review

Jan 11, 2009 Beth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Aside from the important and sensitive subject matter: Yes, the writing is sometimes overblown. Like Charles Dickens novels, Harriet Beecher Stowe wants to impart (very!) important moral lessons, prodding with scenes of heartwarming carrots and heartwrenching sticks of degradation. Stowe's literary talents don't quite match Dickens', so the overdone kitch is kind of like a Precious Moments figurine compared with a rare Meissen figurine from Dickens.

But I'm not immune, and I did sob. I loved rea...more

like 1 like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
A type of Christ	21	150	Jan 13, 2013 08:05am
Enchanted Bookends: Uncle Tom's Cabin	1	4	Apr 12, 2012 06:16pm
Cheshire Cats Cla...: Did Uncle Tom's Cabin Start the Civil War?	1	7	Mar 26, 2012 07:49am
Chapter 5 summary	1	12	Mar 16, 2012 05:43pm

combine
Other Editions (452)

More editions...

Genres

Classics

2,399 users

Historical Fiction

435 users

Literature

191 users

Literature > American

95 users

Novels

91 users

Classics > Classic Literature

73 users

Cultural > African American

69 users

Academic > School

64 users

Literature > 19th Century

57 users

Book Club

52 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Harriet Beecher Stowe

Harriet Elizabeth Beecher Stowe (June 14, 1811 – July 1, 1896) was an American author and abolitionist, whose novel Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) attacked the cruelty of slavery; it reached millions as a novel and play, and became influential, even in Britain. It made the political issues of the 1850s regarding slavery tangible to millions, energizing anti-slavery forces in the American North. It anger...more

More about Harriet Beecher Stowe...

Books by Harriet Beecher Stowe

The Pearl of Orr's Island: A Story of the Coast of Maine

Three Novels : Uncle Tom's Cabin Or, Life Among the Lowly/The Minister's Wooing/Oldtown Folks (Library of America #4)

Uncle Tom's Cabin and Frederick Douglass: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (Everyman's Library)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Uncle Tom's Cabin

24 trivia questions
2 quizzes

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or,...

“The longest way must have its close - the gloomiest night will wear on to a morning.” — 702 people liked it

“Of course, in a novel, people's hearts break, and they die and that is the end of it; and in a story this is very convenient. But in real life we do not die when all that makes life bright dies to us.” — 268 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Uncle Tom's Cabin
avg rating	preview: Uncle Tom's Cabin Goodreads rating: 3.73 (71937 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1046989.Uncle_Tom_s_Cabin?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320432012l/1046989.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1046989.Uncle_Tom_s_Cabin?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe[/url]

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website