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Twelve Years a Slave

Solomon Northup

Start date: January 1, 2014

Finish date: January 31, 2014

Discussion: Old School Classics, Pre-1915

Discussion leader: Cindy Brown

Why we're reading this: Old School Classic Group Read, January 2014
[close] Old School Classic Group Read, January 2014

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Old School Classics, Pre-1915

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What Members Thought

Dec 18, 2014 Melanti rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: e-book, classics, nonfiction, 2015

This is such a fascinating (though horrific) account in so many ways.

Solomon Northrup himself is an interesting choice. Many of the most well known slave narratives are the stories of those who were born into the practice and subsequently escaped or somehow earned their freedom. Northrop was quite different - he was born into freedom and kidnapped and sold into slavery illegally. I wonder if that was more relatable, in a way, than someone born into a practice? Maybe it was easier for the non-ab ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Sep 09, 2022 Clayton Brannon rated it it was amazing

Everyone should read this book at least once in their lifetime. Should be mandatory reading in high school.

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 23, 2016 Clayton Brannon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One of the best books you will read about slavery.

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 28, 2021 Brenda H rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-freebies, 1800s-published

3 stars.

oh my goodness! This took me forever to finish. The story was interesting but, oh boy, did the author go into detail in some areas. The way the author discussed his time as a slave was toned down regarding the level of brutality and deprivation that the slaves endured - perhaps due to the period in which the book was written - and therefore, I didn't connect as strongly to the character as I might have. ...more

Like · see review