With a New Introduction and Notes by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Richard J. Ellis
A fascinating fusion of two literary models of the n... read full description
A fascinating fusion of two literary models of the n... read full description
reviews
Jan 29, 2012
Zeborah
rated it: 
What it says on the box. An autobiographical novel, telling the early lifestory of Alfrado/Frado/"Nig", abandoned by her white mother and black father to a family where she was raised as an indentured servant. There's Free and then there's free. As a child, Frado can only dream of being taken to live with the son who most sympathises with her (and indeed would take her if he weren't so ill); she isn't free to attend church or even to openly read the Bible she's been given; it's not
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Nov 01, 2011
Mandy
rated it: 
Honestly, I don't know if I've ever been so pissed off after reading a novel. It was going so well, another compelling slave story, this one about a young girl whose mother abandons her outside a wealthy family's home and they decide to take her in as their house servant. The short novel describes her treatment in the house (which is bad) and the few family members who appreciate her (but don't do anything) and it basically goes on like this for the entire book.
Now, this i More...
Aug 03, 2011
Matthew
rated it:
Our Nig is probably one of the most important novels to look at in American history ... I mean, come on; it was the first one written by an African American woman! Unfortunately, Our Nig is also just a bit on the boring side.
Boring is a bit harsh, because if we consider the novel in the time that it was written, it was revolutionary ... it has a free African American woman radically speaking her mind and telling a horrifying tale about the cruelties of Northern women. This is the kind of stuff More...
Boring is a bit harsh, because if we consider the novel in the time that it was written, it was revolutionary ... it has a free African American woman radically speaking her mind and telling a horrifying tale about the cruelties of Northern women. This is the kind of stuff More...
Jul 08, 2011
Rita
rated it: 
I am on the fence about literature developed for the sole purpose of acquiring monetary benefits. Now don’t get me wrong, I know this young lady went through a whole lot (her son took ill, her husband passed away, and she needed money ASAP) however I’m not necessarily captivated by this tale. I have my reasons:
1. Great Imagery: The author gave a great account of a household full of abuse and sadness, as do most books capturing slavery…however, there is just one tiny problem…THIS IS More...
1. Great Imagery: The author gave a great account of a household full of abuse and sadness, as do most books capturing slavery…however, there is just one tiny problem…THIS IS More...
Sep 23, 2011
Pam
rated it: 
Our Nig: Sketches from the Life of a Free Black is an autobiographical slave narrative by Harriet E. Wilson. It was published in 1859 and rediscovered in 1982 by professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.. It is considered the first novel published by an African-American on the North American continent.
I discovered this book when I lived in New Hampshire.She was from Milford,NH.,a quaint little town with wonderful Antiques & Historical sites.The Oval is the town center, with the Pillsbury Bandst More...
I discovered this book when I lived in New Hampshire.She was from Milford,NH.,a quaint little town with wonderful Antiques & Historical sites.The Oval is the town center, with the Pillsbury Bandst More...
Jan 27, 2011
Our Nig: or, Sketches from the life of a free Black
By: Harriet E. Wilson
176 pages
ISBN13: 9780142437773
This book is about a African American orphan who a slave and she belongs to a rich family. They made her work alot and hard. She was also abused. Frado, the orphan, was really a free black, but she was only an orphan, and was left behind by her mother. The family that took her in treats her badly. The mother treats her worse than the other though.
Thi More...
By: Harriet E. Wilson
176 pages
ISBN13: 9780142437773
This book is about a African American orphan who a slave and she belongs to a rich family. They made her work alot and hard. She was also abused. Frado, the orphan, was really a free black, but she was only an orphan, and was left behind by her mother. The family that took her in treats her badly. The mother treats her worse than the other though.
Thi More...
Oct 07, 2007
Dayna
rated it:
I feel kind of bad for giving this book only three stars; it makes a really good point and the author was a daring writer for her times ... it was just too repetitive. At some points I felt as though I was reading one chapter over and over again.
It is about a half-black girl named Frado. She is abandoned by her white mother with the Bellmont's, who she is forced to work for until she is eighteen. Some members of the family are kind to her, but the mother is especially cruel and she More...
It is about a half-black girl named Frado. She is abandoned by her white mother with the Bellmont's, who she is forced to work for until she is eighteen. Some members of the family are kind to her, but the mother is especially cruel and she More...
Sep 23, 2011
I have a different edition than this.
I have to say that on a personal level, I hated this book. Some people either are, or come across as, unlikeable. The first person narrator of this book has that unfortunate distinction.
On a historical level, however, it fills an important gap. There are slave narratives in numbers, and there are stories told about antebellum life that include slaves to one degree or another. The life of a free black at the time is rarely discu More...
I have to say that on a personal level, I hated this book. Some people either are, or come across as, unlikeable. The first person narrator of this book has that unfortunate distinction.
On a historical level, however, it fills an important gap. There are slave narratives in numbers, and there are stories told about antebellum life that include slaves to one degree or another. The life of a free black at the time is rarely discu More...
Jan 12, 2011
Ann
rated it:
This book was not what I expected but it was very interesting and enlightening. I actually listened to an audio recording from Librivox. I couldn't stop until I knew how thing ended and even the appendix was interesting to me. I think we only think of the inhumanity of slavery but we fail to see that people were also enslaved and still are by the roles their race holds them in.
Feb 12, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
This happens to be the first novel written by a an African American woman. The author, Harriet Wilson, also happens to have been born in the town of Milford, NH (where I currently live!). It was actually published in 1859, but was largely forgotten until Henry Louis Gates rediscovered it in the early 1980s. It seems that Milford, NH was the site of several abolitionist conventions in the 19th century and received many famous visitors including the likes of Frederick Douglass. Milford, NH was
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Nov 11, 2009
Liz
rated it:
Sick. Slavery makes me sick. I would argue that Mrs Bellmont had to be ill. Mentally, there is something wrong with a woman who can justify such mistreatment.
And I can't even decide what to think about the men in the family. All their care and kindness . . . sick.
And I can't even decide what to think about the men in the family. All their care and kindness . . . sick.
Feb 19, 2009
Cloudj4
rated it:
Go figure, I was an English Lit major, read this in school, it was a good story of an African American orphan/ indentured servant who is abused and overworked by a wealthy white family.
Mar 16, 2010
lux
rated it:
It's sort of horrible how ignorant Americans are of the sheer amount and influence of slavery in the antebellum Northeast.
Nov 05, 2009
1859 autobio. narrative about a mixed-race girl growing up in virtual slavery in New Hampshire.
WRB sep/oct 2008
WRB sep/oct 2008
Aug 09, 2011
Corey
rated it:
I enjoy any book where the assholes never get their comeuppance in a indirect manner. Such is life.
Dec 11, 2007
Erin
rated it:
This is a remarkable addition to American literature. As the overview states, Wilson wrote this in the late 1800s, but it wasn't (re)discovered until nearly 100 years later. It's a fictionalized memoir. Her journey from indentured servitude into self-actualized adulthood is amazing to me. Writing what she wrote, how she wrote, when she wrote it ... astounding. If you decide to give this book a try, please spend some time reading all the forward and afterward materials. The background information
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Nov 22, 2008
Melly
rated it:
DeMille's sequel to the Gold Coast was another page turner as all his books are. Even if you read the Gold Coast ten years ago, you might want to reread as I did and continue with this one. It will be an epic adventure that you will not want to end. A lot has happened in between the ten years...you will definitely not be disappointed.
Mar 09, 2010
Kathy
rated it:
I really like this book. Only 3 stars because it seemed a bit repeditive. I appreciated the fact that it was written by a free black woman back in the 1800's and I loved the writing style of that time. Quite a monster accomplishement for the day...I feel it should be in classrooms and required reading for our high school students.
Jan 14, 2008
Matthew
rated it:
The first novel written by a black american woman. an autobiography disguised as a fiction. Does not follow the standard women's literary conventions of the time. Ignored and forgotten for nearly a century. The intro is as long as the book, but is worth reading as it puts the work into proper historical and literary perspective.
Oct 26, 2008
Librarian
rated it:
Not a sentimental 19th century novel and not a slave narrative but taking heavily from those two traditions and subverting both, this autobiographical novel challenges the idea of freedom in the antebellum North. Frado, who is far from free, struggles for dignity and self-determination while working for the Bellmonts.
Dec 16, 2009
Anne
rated it:
Fascinating story that mixes autobiographical and fictional details to reveal the harrowing life of a young black indentured servant in the North. A rare perspective into Northern life of blacks and whites, exposing the hypocrisy of Northern whites.
Dec 01, 2007
Vinnie
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The North had it's fair share of slaves. They were just called "indentured servants." This is a powerful book to read if you want a fuller picture of the issue of slavery in the United States.
Jun 15, 2007
Jennifer
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I can't imagine not having read this historic work...it was such an eye opener and a testiment to the silent strength of a woman surviving her role as "free" in the not-so-free American society.
Dec 16, 2009
Sara
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The story behind this book is really more interesting than the book itself, so if you bother to read it you should investigate its accompanying lore.
Sep 19, 2008
Marian
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A powerful artifact. It isn't so much a brilliant read as it is a document of human capability against oppression and invisibility.
Dec 16, 2009
Willow
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Our Nig is such a sad book. I felt it was important to read this, and I stick to that sentiment.
