The House of Bondage: or Charlotte Brooks and Other Slaves

by Octavia V. Rogers Albert

Setting out to correct the inadequacies of many written accounts of slavery, teacher and social activist Octavia Albert added her own incisive commentary to the personal narratives of former slaves. Her early interviews, like many antebellum slave narratives, depict cruel punishments, divided families, and debilitating labour. Seeing herself as a public advocate for social change, Albert called for every Christian's personal acceptance of responsibility for slavery's legacies and lessons. As well as its historical value, the book has many merits as a work of literature, using dialogue and experiments with dialect, and incorporating songs and poems in the text.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Theology

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough to read, nonetheless its one of those books that are essential for a full political education.

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book even with the dirty looks of others thinking it was a "sex book".

I read it while I worked on a television show during break times. It is a sad, honest, cruel look at the lives of slaves. I have a basic understanding of what happened but had no idea just how brutal and misunderstood they were. Animals were better treated. Despite all the beatings, starvation and imprisonment, their faith in God was strong.

The abuse and mistreatment continued as families did. Children and/or parents would die off leaving the next generation to suffer.

An important, short look into these Amercians lives. Emancipation indeed.

[howsoonisnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrical and expansive. This is a short and eclectic collection of interviews from former African American slaves of the 1850s. The narratives weigh heavily in the Protestant Christian faith, with the author and all her interviewees espousing their faith as having carried them through unremitting hardships. The book is interspersed with beautiful hymns throughout. There's a power to which their sightless faith (like a piece of driftwood in a tumbling ocean) saves them from psychological desecration. There's a simple matter-of-fact tone with which they recount unimaginable cruelties, a lyrical cadence with which they narrate their hopes and heartbreak. There's horrifying stories of naked men shivering in dark forests as they're hunted down by bloodhounds; of captured runaways rolled down hills in nail-spiked barrels by wicked overseers; of girls dying of exposure, as they're hung by their wrists from trees. There is also uplifting accounts from former slaves who have found financial and political success against all odds, a testament to the human drive in the face of the most harrowing adversity. Additionally, there is mention of possibilities of returning to the African continent, in search of prosperity and belonging.

[Justin Lonas · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a longform piece than a book, this collection of memoirs from former slaves is a powerful testimony to the work of the Holy Spirit among the oppressed.

The optimism shared by the author and her subjects, though, is sad to read knowing the rest of the story from 1891 until now...

[Debbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short collection of slave narratives. Written from a Christian perspective.

[Rachel Cash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection is heartbreaking to say the least. The pages document the cruel brutality of slave owners and the incredible suffering of the slaves in the United States. May we continue to read these true accounts and pass them down to our kids so that we do not forget what man is capable of in our own country.

What struck me was the joy and freedom that the slaves found in Jesus while in literal chains. The story of the mothers who were forced to leave their babies - I can't even imagine. Through God's grace, they were able to distinguish the true God from the "God" the slave owners claimed to worship. They risked their lives to worship Jesus in secret and found comfort in His presence. These accounts are not meant to romanticize what they went through. On the contrary, their testimonies would leave any reader humbled.

"They used to go to church," said Uncle John, "in Georgia, and I have seen them happy, too; but madam, they would come right back from church and beat us all the week and make us work ourselves nearly to death."

"Uncle John, that as inconsistent with the teaching of the Bible. The Spirit of God is love, peace, joy, and contentment."

"Madam, I have talked so long this evening I will not say my lessons; but will you please read that hymn I love so much?"

"'How firm a foundation,', Uncle John?"

"Yes, ma'am."

[Astrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to read these realistic accounts and at the same time feel the optimism and the discipline in this seemingly simply constructed text: Accounts of former slaves, and how they managed to bear the hardships (or losing friends, children, spouses) - and develop a perspectve.
Albert goes from the personal to the political, and tells how politics frame the lives of black people. Albert hides behind the role of the wife of the preacher who does good works by listening to the burdened ones. But her insight is totally clear and her ideas about political strategies, too. She lets others speak, hiding behind men.
"Out of the role of being a victim! We were strong, we are strong." is more or less what she is saying.
And without seeming so, Albert gives an excellent overview oft the history of abolition of slavery, the lashbacks, and the persons of colour who had important roles in the liberation and in politics.

[Gabrielle Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It took me a while to finish. It took me through the horrors of slavery. I had to continuously take breaks from reading this book because all I can think about was my ancestors and all they went through. It made me think about myself and if I was born in a time like this. I enjoyed reading all the stories of freedom and how slave owners called us dumb but we were smart. How slave owners thought during the war we would just stay with them instead of taking our freedom. We preserved in spite of. I don’t know if I could have took what my ancestors took. But this book inspires the hell out of me. My children will read this book and hopefully after they get through the horror parts they see the glory road in the end and are inspired like me. I encourage everyone to read this book.

[Mitchell Traver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting is the word that comes to mind. This book read easy and was full of incredible stories. As you can imagine, there was plenty here that was difficult to read. The emotions were many. But it’s an account that absolutely must be shared, and the format here is perfect for such a venture. I learned much, but more than anything, continue to grow in deep admiration for the faith of African American Christians, especially those who endured the Antebellum South and the Reconstruction Era of American history. There’s just such much here that needs to be heard. Warnings, watchwords, and a remarkable witness. Powerful book.

[Rogue Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical, realistic, open eyed personal recollections of slaves, recorded after the Civil War by a woman determined to be heard. An arc to the narratives, from being enslaved to liberation and finally political, social and economic success.

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so important. Every non-Black person should read it.