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I read this book in anticipation of watching the new movie and as a result of having read Uncle Tom's Cabin (which I loved!) earlier this year. In tune with it being an autobiography, it is a lot less stylized than Uncle Tom's Cabin, but there are similarities as well. Northup does a very good job of relating the small day-to-day details of slavery that is more difficult for a fictional book. The story of Patsy is particularly moving. It's almost unimaginable to me that slavery existed in this c
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Although one cannot inherently trust everything in an autobiography, this was a compelling tale. I can only imagine how I would feel if I were ever kidnapped and forced into slavery but I certainly sympathize with the author in his plight.
Some chapters of the book bordered on tedium; giving detailed accounts of a slave's existence but, I understood the author's need to give an account in such a way. And of course, the boring parts of the story were offset with all the drama and excitement of th ...more
Some chapters of the book bordered on tedium; giving detailed accounts of a slave's existence but, I understood the author's need to give an account in such a way. And of course, the boring parts of the story were offset with all the drama and excitement of th ...more
Detailed autobiographical account of a black man's experience in the 1840's of being kidnapped into slavery. Not for the faint of heart, the truth of the evils of slavery are clearly laid out in a remarkably unbiased and charitable fashion. This should be required reading for all high schoolers with the hope that our society might never treat another group of humans so horrendously.
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Amazing, important narrative about the most shameful, abhorrent time in US history. Northup's account is poignant, horrific and eloquently told. The movie barely touches the absolute unrelenting toil and unrelenting beatings that Northup and others endured. And throughout, he manages to keep his humanity and faith intact - incredible. Required reading for high school students. Required reading for all.
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I really enjoyed this narrative. I could have never been a slave!
Tough to read. Hard to imagine.
Feb 03, 2014
Maureen
marked it as to-read
Feb 23, 2014
Lohit.c
marked it as to-read
Jun 14, 2014
Jenny Cameron Paulsen
marked it as to-read
Dec 28, 2014
Joanna Brauckmann
marked it as to-read
