Monday, March 31, 2014

12 YEARS A SLAVE by SOLOMON NORTHUP




I never thought I would say this but …. Go see the movie.   The story is important but the book is ponderous.  The writing is old fashioned enough to make it difficult for the modern reader.  I was glad I read this on my e-reader so I could easily look up all the many “archaic” words.  The punctuation also forces the reader to slow down and re-read portions to understand what is being said in this autobiography.
The book relates the experiences of a free black man who is kidnapped by slavers in Washington, DC and taken to Louisiana where he is sold into slavery. It takes 12 long years for him to be found, released from bondage and returned to wife and children.  He suffers under both cruel and mild masters as he shares life with other bound persons.  Northup also relates the stories of other persons he suffers with. You will feel Patsey’s pain as she is whipped into submission and suffer with Elisa as her small children are wrenched from her and sold away never to be seen again.
This biography needs to be told. Perhaps another writer will make the story come alive for the modern reader.
3 of 5 stars

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